MrBigglesWorth

Just a few points of observation:

1. Colts played Saturday against Ravens and Pats played Sunday versus SD.(4:30 game)

This gave the Colts an extra days worth of rest. I had hoped the NFL would put the Pats on Saturday night coming off the Jets.

The Colts had a short flight to Balt through one time zone.

The Pats had about a 6 hour flight through 3 time zones.(Gain 3 hours there, but lose three on the way back)

By the time they got back to Foxboro it was Monday noon most likely.

2. Played a very physical and emotional San Diego team. Took a huge toll

3. Because of the energy exerted the players immune systems were taxed and susceptible to illness, hence the flu struck.


Summary: Due to short recuperation time the team ran out of gas just before halftime and that big third quarter drive started making pats players cramp and fatigue.

Had they had more time to recuperate I have no doubt the team would have won.

Conclusion: Need home field and bye week.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

BelichickFan

Why don't they play both NFC divisional games on the same day and both AFC on the same day ? That was both participants in each Conference Championship would get the same rest.

Also to your point, yesterday was our 4th road game in 5 weeks.

MrBigglesWorth

good point. It's all about the cash and I'm sure the networks have something in place.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

AzPatsFan

Mr. B,

I think that is as good an analysis as any. I hesitate to say that, as it seems an excuse. The Colts played better and won it in the last minute,fair and square. It was obvious that the Defense was extremely tired in the second half, and the extensive substituting with third and fourth stringers had their own problems. Too bad so many second stringers were on IR.

So congratulate the Colts. And you are....

Spot ON !!

denverpatsfan

True the Colts 1st string offense was better than the Pats exhausted 2nd and 3rd stringers. That's what the game boiled down to. Their vaunted WR were effectively held in check. Our back-up to the back-ups couldn't handle their TE's and RB's.

Yes HFA is key!

Oh yeah. Why are there still SD trolls on this board. Got to the beach or something.

__________________
Fan since 85'
Ticketholder since 01'

Gunnails

I think the Pats worked hard and are/were banged up like most teams and the end of 18 games, and maybe did not get as much rest as the Colts.

As far as the plane ride, I have riden first class, and the difference between 1st class and coach is huge, I would think that a 6 hour flight on a private jet (J E T S Jets Jets Jets, sorry couldnt help myself the jet word does that to me) would be a pretty easy relaxing, re(Please be quiet - edited)l flight.

MrBigglesWorth

Reminded me of the Carolina Superbowl losing Rodney and Eugene and trying to hang on until the end, except this was far worse and started round halftime with very little pass rush and then the secondary people started dropping then they couldn't stop the run.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

SoonerPatriot

What was so strange about is how quickly it happened.

One minute we're an aggressive, attacking defense making plays all over the field. The next, we're sucking wind and can't make a stop.

It was as if the bottom just fell out in terms of their energy level and stamina. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. Stunning, really.

__________________
Celebrating the wonders of the ignore list.

MrBigglesWorth

It seemed like it was that drive right before half time that the pats limited to a field goal. when do you think it fell apart?

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

godef

Yeah, sitting in a plane for 3 additional hours really tires the body, doesn't it?

__________________
See you at Super Bowl XLVI!