marcus

The Offensive Juggernaut was designed to outscore teams like Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and San Diego

NOT to beat a team like the Giants with punishing running game and defense.


In building this team, perhaps a stout defense and running game was less of a priority than an explosive offense.


It is very difficult to build a team that will do both.

richpats

They succeeded in their attempt to outscore our AFC rivals, however...

....the New York Giants were an anomaly that nobody saw coming. All season we figured they were a 2nd-tier team that would only make the playoffs b/c it's the NFC. In Week 17 we figured they'd lie down or be another easy NFC win, didn't happen. After that we figured they go down in the playoffs, didn't happen. After that we figured they wouldn't be able to stand up to the Pats a 2nd time in a Super Bowl, didn't happen.

Remix 6

what punishing running? The Giants 3.5 average? lol

Our team wasnt design to beat any specific team. we built are team to win a Superbowl. Our team has the ability to do everything. Rush passer, stop run, pass ball, run ball, control clock, big plays. Did we play up to our capabilities? nope

whats the difference between Colts front 4 and Giants front 4? Both are built around speed. We know that..and we've struggled with that in past. Not the build of the team that hurt us..our OL simply fell face flat

upstater1

Our additions were indeed brought in to beat the Colts specifically. But the Giants were not so different from teams we beat in year's past, with the same exact players.

The Titans, the Panthers, the Steelers, these teams were very very similar to the Giants. They relied on a great pass rush, gritty QB play, and a good running game.

Harry Yelreh

I agree that the team was designed to win the NFL championship, not necessarily beat any single team (yes, though, the Colts were thought to be the best team at the time - they were Super Bowl champs last year at this time, after all).

It doesn't matter how a team is designed, it still has to execute and make plays. The Pats simply failed to make one more of any number of plays - sack Manning on third down, catch the INT,etc. - needed to win the title.

Against the Colts, the team clearly did this. Remember, in that game as well NE had a 4-point lead late in the game. The Pats made the play they needed - sacked Manning, forced a turnover and ran out the clock. Against the Giants and Eli, the same basic scenario unfolded - and yet he escaped and made the play of the game.

It comes down to making plays. We're talking about a razor-thin margin for error here, not about any serious flaws, shortcomings, or mistakes in design.

jcdavey

i'd say both teams played well enough and poor enough to deserve to win or lose that game

but in the end, if asante catches the gift int, the pats escape

it reminded me alot of mccree fumbling vs NE in the playoffs last season

it's never about just one blown play, it's always a string of missed opportunities that puts the teams in the position they are in at the end

but man, that one play not capitalized on, that would have no doubt ended that game.

NEPatriot

we defeated Giants during regular season, didn't we.?

how can you possiblely say something like this without thinking.?

karran_s

Completely disagree.... If you look at the SB game again, the Pats almost won, despite being outplayed in every department of the game... Our O Line crumbled, their defense was fantastic and we had no running game, no passing game, nothing... (That last drive by TB was pretty good though and put us in a position to win)

Finally, the G Men won with a failed sack (incredible escape by Eli) and a superb, once in a lifetime catch by Tyree over his helmet. Nine times out of ten, that catch fails....

It all came to one play in the end.. We lost all the breaks (Asante missing, Harrision missing, Jarvis / Richard missing the sack... Any one of those could have ended the game for the G Men.

Anyway, I think the Giants played better at the end of the day and we didn't. End of story. They fought hard, gave it their all and won against a clearly superior team.