Theplayer

Should have been 7-0 Pats, Jets score next and it's 7-7. Pats probably don't go for the fake punt at 7-7 and the score is tied at the half instead of 14-3. Pats score next in the 3rd quarter and Jets would be playing from behind and the whole game changes.

What I've learned from watching football is that small things make huge differences in games....especially in defensive games. Sanchez could not consistently move the ball down the field, the fake punt gave the Jets a short field and a TD.

I know, what if this, what if that....but I do know that if Crumpler gets the TD, Pats don't fake punt and the game takes a completely different path. The key to winning that game was jumping out ahead early and having the Jets thinking "here we go again".

patriotscpfc

As true as most of that is, I've rewatched the first quarter and interception excluded, we were dominating on offense and defense.

Sloppy plays cost us an early 14-0 lead.

Poor throw on INT, bad drop by Capt Crump.

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DarrylS

From Cold Hard Football Facts.. if you throw and interception your chances of winning decreases by 20%, and is even more significant in the playoffs..

Nuf said.. as much as Crumpler was the scapegoat, there are other factors..

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

jcdavey

there were 3 game changers, and one for each of your units

on offense, crumpler cost NE 4 points

on special teams, the stupid fake punt call gave the jets 7 points

and on defense that horrible catch and run they allowed to cotchery after NE's O just got back to down 14-11 , killed the pats momentum

those 3 mistakes is why NE lost, that and the jets D really came to play

vyrago

When Crumpler dropped that touchdown the whole atmosphere of the game changed. It was catastrophic and it even seemed so at the time. I'd also throw in the stupid benching of Welker. Not only was he not really benched, that half-assed punishement may have undercut his leadership. Instead of punishing him, it seem to confuse and unsettle the rest of the offense.

DarrylS

Also question the need for a clock killing 7+ minute drive in the 3rd quarter, just do what you do best and stop dicking around.. too much time off the clock with no payoff.

My bro in law, a Minnesota fan, called me about 1/2 way through could not figure out what they were doing.. why didn't they go no huddle?? Was there no feeling of urgency...

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Potstickas

We didn't jump ahead quickly on them. We let them stay close to us and momentum just built. Thats how the jets won all year.

Gotta give them credit. They came prepared.

Fake injuries to slow down the no huddle. Check the receivers at the LOS to throw off the timing.

Mass DBs led to coverage sacks to throw off Brady.

Classic pats rams gameplan.

They physical we finesse...

Theplayer

Yup, 14-11 scoring a TD and 2 pointer and the defense lets up a huge play to Cotchery..Pats had all the momentum going there.

TomPatriot

But to his credit he ran down Harris and saved the Pats 7 points.


The Jets did not turn the ball over and the Pats did; if you discount the last Pats drive because the Jets were playing soft, the yardage was about equal. The failure to force turnovers and make big plays was the biggest difference in the game. The Chung fumble and Brady pick were much bigger than Crumpler's drop.

TheBostonStraggler

'Not jumping on them' is correct. That is how we won the last two months. Crumpler dropping that TD AND Brady throwing that foolish int were killers. We were driving it right down the field both times. 14-0 is what it should have been.......and THAT changes the game.

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