Shorthanded Patriots earn impressive win

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is 1-0 as an NFL starter. There are so many impo sibilities that go along with that statement, including that the third-year quarterback accomplished the feat in Arizona, against many people's (us included) favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. He also did it without the league's best tight end, , or the team's two starting tackles, all-purpose back or, obviously, .None of that mattered, of course, because the one constant remained: Bill Belichick. That's how the legend goes, anyway. Either way, here's what's not up for dispute (and what we figured all along): The Pats will be fine without Brady for the first month of the season, partly because of Belichick's ability to prepare his players for every eventuality and situation, no matter how unlikely. But mostly because all Garoppolo had to do was play up to the level of the last guy to replace Brady for any length of time: . In 2008, Ca sel started 15 games after Brady went down with a knee injury in Week 1. Ca sel, a former seventh-round pick, hadn't started a game , and was just as raw and inexperienced as you would expect. But Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels constantly put him in positions to succeed. By the end of the season, he had helped the team to an 11-5 record.Also not hurting Garoppolo's chances: The Pats play in the laugh-out-loud funny AFC East which, as of late Serge Savard Kids Jersey  Sunday evening, has exactly one team sitting  Guy Lapointe Jersey at 1-0. We've said for weeks that New England can start 1-3 and Brady will still lead them to a division title and the playoffs. Nothing has changed. In fact, with the , and next on the schedule, it seems perfectly reasonable that Garoppolo could give way to Brady on Oct. 9 and the Pats could be 3-1, or worst case, 2-2.   If nothing else, this victory -- on the road against a very good team -- highlights the differences between Belichick and Rex Ryan, Todd Bowles and Adam Gase -- the three other AFC East coaches who all had chances to win Sunday.Here are nine takeaways from the Patriots' win Sunday night.1. Bench Brady for Garoppolo!We're gue sing somebody brings this up on Boston radio, probably by Monday morning. If nothing else, it gives us a reason to link to this:BREAKING: Tom Brady will work out for Major League Baseball teams tomorrow morning. Chris Jones (@MySecondEmpire) And while we look forward to someone asking Belichick about Brady's status on the depth chart, the more likely scenario is that the Patriots will showcase Garoppolo over the next three games, have him return to backup duties once Brady is reinstated, and then flip him for a first- or second-round pick this offseason.   For now, the Pats have to be pleased with how well Garoppolo played; the big concern this preseason was that he held onto the ball too long, and while he took a few hits as the game progre sed, that makeshift offensive line, like Garoppolo, outperformed expectations. When it was over, Garopppolo was 24 of 33 for 264 yards and a touchdown. By comparison, counterpart finished 24 of 37 for 271 yards and two touchdowns.Unlike Palmer, who got off to a glacial start, Garoppolo's opening drive was nine plays, 74 yards and ended with sashaying into the end zoneeft wiiiide open... finds for the TD!  NFL (@NFL) 2. have big i sues at (one) cornerbackIt's not ' fault. The rookie was  Phillip Danault Jersey toasted above by Hogan, and again later in the game by to set up another Patriots touchdown, but the Cardinals' gaping need at cornerback forced him into the lineup ( is injured and is still learning the defense). It's a lot to ask of any rookie, but Williams was a running back his first three years at Texas A&M and only converted to cornerback as a senior. It showed Sunday night.  The good news is that the Cardinals' defense is still really good, and the secondary includes and . And Williams, who had a forgettable night, can only improve.3. is legitNot many people knew about David Johnson last season, probably because he was a third-round pick out of Northern Iowa and, well, there aren't much in the way of rookie expectations for third-round picks out of Northern Iowa.But a late-season surge put him on the map for Fantasy football nerds, and now, after his performance on Sunday night, we're all acquainted with his game-changing versatility. He had 16 carries for 89 yards and a score, and added another 43 receiving yards.  He also spent  Torrey Mitchell Kids Jersey the evening juking would-be Pats tacklers out of their shorts. Behold:Got Jukes! out here making multiple defenders mi s.   NFL (@NFL) DAVID. JOHNSON.Are you kidding?!?The RB turns a lo s into an incredible run!   NFL (@NFL) 4. Please don't ever retire, The 13-year vet and future Hall of Famer deserved better. He put the Cardinals on his back in the fourth quarter, marching the offense down the field to set up the go-ahead touchdown, and later, what should have been the winning field goal. That touchdown reception, by the way, was the 100th of his career, and was one of the best grabs of the weekend:   . does it AGAIN!This incredible grab gives the the lead!  NFL (@NFL) It's hard to believe Fitzgerald is just 33 -- it seems like he has been in the league for two decades -- but he remains the Cardinals' most reliable weapon.5. About that mi sed field goal ... said before the game that he felt comfortable on any kick inside 60 yards. So the 47-yarder he lined up for with 41 seconds on the clock and the Cardinals trailing 23-21 shouldn't have been a problem.And it probably wouldn't have been had the snap not been  Paul Byron Jersey low: Not an ideal snap for the Arizona Cardinals on the mi sed go-ahead field goal.  SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) Except ... Gotta trust your holder. Even with bad snap, Butler did great job of getting ball down for Cantanzaro  John Breech (@johnbreech) Yes, timing is an important facet of kicking field goals, but when the ball is sitting up like that, it's hard to blame a low snap (not that Catanzaro did, but for those pointing fingers at the long snapper).  6. There was a penalty for choreographed celebrationFollowing a Garoppolo second-quarter fumble recovered by Arizona, three Cardinals defenders were flagged for ... choreography!It's somehow more ludicrous than it sounds. So ludicrous, in fact, that Twitter was the voice of reason: Penalty for a choreographed dance? I wish they gave a freakin' NFL award for BEST choreographed dance. Aaron Schatz (@FO_ASchatz) Hope no one got CTE from that brutal choreographed demonstration. Chris Jones (@MySecondEmpire) Choreographed? I dunno, I mean, it's not the Cardinals did an OK Go video. Michael Schwartz (@MikeMSchwartz) My celebration rule would just be delay of game: If your celebration delays the game, five yards. If it doesn't, celebrate all you want. Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) 7. Tom Brady's whereabouts, in case you're curiousContinuing with the ludicrousne s, here are all the things Brady can't do while he's suspended:  Tom Brady's suspension restrictions.  S