Ice_Ice_Brady

Sometimes we really overanalyze the offense, particularly when the Patriots lose. However, I've been saying all season that there's one major reason why the Patriots seem to be a step slow and unable to deliver in big situations. That reason is very simple: Rob Gronkowski's health. The entire offense completely changes when Gronkowski is playing 100%. This was the first game when Gronk did not look like he was hobbling and running within a ten yard box.

The red zone offense is dramatically better when you have arguably the best red zone threat in the NFL at full speed and athleticism, and when Brady knows he has a tremendous mismatch all the time.

We've seen a lot of times when Wes Welker puts up a monster game and we still lose, but when's the last time Gronkowski showed up at his best and the game was even close? I cannot recall a single time that's happened.

MoLewisrocks

I think Josh for the most part this time chose to play the hand he was dealt and forgot about agendas. Guys found their rhythm because they weren't being force fed on each other. Heck, even Hoohoo can play the game.

I also think the defense was freed up a little in an attempt to do what they could do, and they did. Sometimes scheme gets in the way of talent.

Deus Irae

Not forcing the ball into Lllllllllllloyd

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

Ice_Ice_Brady

That's a major factor as well. I can't count the number of times I've seen Gronk wide open this season but Brady is too focused on Lloyd. Lloyd would be okay in this offense as a complementary player who occassionally comes up with a big play. No idea why they design so many plays to get him the ball for some freakish catch.

Mack Herron

Gotta agree that coaching was much better and Brady rarely forced a throw, with Lloyd effective when targeted. Line was solid, Gronk was awesome. Vereen definitely showing me something. Looking forward to getting Hernandez and Bolden back.

jmt57

Given that the weakness of the St. Louis defense is their safeties and outside linebackers I thought there was a good chance that Gronk would have a big game. The only thing that was standing in the way from that happening was whether or not he was back to being healthy.

hellolin

Wait till AH comes back, you thought we are good in the red zone right now with a 100% gronk lol

ahmed

Hmm... they didn`t run on first and second down

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“When you hang with a bunch of 300-pound linemen, you tend to find the places that are the greasiest and serve the most food.” Brady.

Bonzo

Actually, to my (untrained) eye, it looks like Gronk has yet to regain 100% of his full burst. But, even when covered pretty well, he does have that wonderful catch radius of about a mile.

jsull87

I do think the forcing the ball to people is a good point.

It is tough when you have arguably the best TE in the game and the best slot WR in the game not to force it to them.

But the one thing i would say is when was the last time you heard "Brady has 7 completions and they are to 6 different receivers". I am no way complaining about our offense as the results speak for themselves. But i do think that every now and then some completions to Edelman, Fells and our FB will keep D's more honest when covering Gronk, Welker and Lloyd.