[FONT="]A quick recap of Gordon’s past two outings: He’s caught all eight targets for 128 yards and a touchdown. The lone score was a 24-yard hookup against the Vikings, as Gordon broke his route to the inside and found a vacancy in Minnesota’s zone coverage. Earlier in the drive, Gordon easily shed the tackle of Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels, turning a short hitch route into a 24-yard gain.
And on the next series, Gordon drew a 20-yard pass interference penalty, then nearly scored on a quick-hitting throw to the perimeter. Brady fired the ball to Gordon immediately after the snap, giving the 230-pound Gordon a chance to go one-on-one with Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes at the Minnesota 10-yard line. Unsurprisingly, Rhodes needed reinforcements.
Gordon stepped through Rhodes’ tackle, spun away from linebacker Ben Gedeon, and finally was dragged down at the 2-yard line by safety Anthony Harris.
He popped to his feet and signaled for a first down.
There was much of the same two weeks ago against the Jets, when Gordon dove to secure the ball for a 17-yard gain on a third-and-10 comeback route along the sideline.
Six of his eight receptions in Weeks 13 and 14 generated first downs. One other, a 16-yard gain on a deep comeback versus New York, rescued the Patriots on a first-and-18.
The reason for Gordon’s extreme efficiency of late? Perhaps it’s somewhat related to his health.
Gordon was nursing a hamstring injury when he arrived via trade from Cleveland, but he’s been in top condition for weeks.[/FONT]