Rob0729

Here we go:

• The Texans' offense was exposed tonight in my opinion. You take away the run and Schaub can't perform. He is too reliant on the play-action. He can't make decisions fast enough when he doesn't have that extra second that he gets when defenses bite on the play-action.
• Finally, they unleashed Mayo. I always thought he was a very good player, but never a playmaker. They are finally taking the reigns off of him and he is becoming a monster.
• I haven't been nearly as impressed with Talib as others have so far this season... Until tonight. He did a great job on Andre Johnson. He virtually took him away himself.
• I think they need to find another punt returner because I think it affected Welker tonight in the passing game.
• So much for all the media talk that the Pats lost faith in Lloyd and that Brady doesn't even have any confidence in him to look at him. I thought it was another ignorant media creation and Lloyd proved it tonight.
• The Pats might be the most complete team in the NFL right now. Their defense is worlds better than it was at the start of the season.
• Welcome back Stallworth. Nice to see you have a huge reception for a TD.
• I think Gronk may be back next week and that is scary for the rest of the league how good this offense can be when he returns.
• Brady may have locked up the MVP tonight. Another performance like this next Sunday and they can start engraving his name in the award.

Simple Jack's Brother

I was really happy to see them sign Stallworth over Branch this week. Obviously he knows the system pretty well still, and he still has wheels, which help opens up the underneath routes, even if it's not every single play. Glad to see him make that great catch tonight on that bomb.

Good lord, as a defense, what do you do when Gronk gets back?!

BananaRepublican

Buy a few extra rolls of four ply?

mayoclinic

Aside from his receiving skills, can you imagine doubling Vollmer and Gronk on Watt?

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BananaRepublican

I felt good for Stallworth. He's had a rough road. Now he's fully back and they have a deep outside threat besides Lloyd (who took advantage of blown coverage to get WAY behind his defenders.) Geezuz, what a fake by Brady and the guys. I mean that sucked in everybody including the camera man.

I think Tom did what he needed to do to keep pace with Peyton and taking a step over Watt but I don't think it's possible that there will be any clear cut winner until the the lights go out after week 17. It looks like a three way dead heat to me. Perhaps Watt's voltage dimmed a bit tonight due to circumstances, but there's a long way to go.

Rob0729

Although I think the MVP is a bit of BS, but it is national games like this that seal MVP wins in close races. Brady ate apart which was supposed to be one of the best defenses in the league with the DPOY on a national stage in what was billed as the game of the season against the two best teams in the AFC if not the league.

I really don't care if Brady wins it or not (although I would be happy for him if he did), but it performances like this that wins MVP awards.

BTW, Watt never had a chance at MVP ever. MVP is a QB and RB award, but almost never by another position especially a defensive position. The last time a QB or RB didn't win the award was 1986 when Lawrence Taylor won the award and he is one of two defensive players to win the award ever (Alan Page was the other in 1971). Also, only one other player won the award who wasn't a QB or RB (Mark Mosley a placekicker in 1982). Watt is the DPOY, but he never had a shot at MVP. I doubt he will get any votes.

EDIT: Jerry Rice did win the Pro Football Writer's MVP, but never the AP MVP which is recognized as the official MVP. But I guess you can claim Rice won too.

MoneyFX

Agreed. It's hard to believe that the Patriots didn't even have Gronkowski. No matter if anyone gets injured, other players step up in the offense. This team is clicking on all cylinders. Lloyd is a great receiver for this offense, it's just that there are a lot more other targets and it may feel that Brady just hasn't looked his way much the last few weeks. Adding Stallworth is good, a guy that can haul in a long pass or two every game wouldn't hurt (a la Joe Morgan).

If you compare the Patriots team of the first several weeks of the season (to the first Jets game) to the team of the last 4-5 weeks, they are two different animals.

The secondary has stabilized with McCourty at safety and Dennard/Talib at the corners. Earlier in the year, they were giving up too much big pass plays. The offense actually scores late and puts games away. Earlier in the year, the offense would somehow struggle to score late in games.

jsull87

I know it doesn't mean anything in the scheme of things. But i really want Brady to win this MVP.

No int's vs SF and i think it's his for the taking.

I am really just hoping for no more injuries so we can be firing on all cylinders come the Playoffs.

RelocatedPatFan

That's a good thought on Welker.

While, I'm not sure if it affected his ability to catch the ball, Welker is taking some big time hits and I'd prefer to keep him fresh for the post season. Several times, you could see Welker get up real slow (those cumulative hits may be taking its toll and you know Welker isn't going to complain).

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Bhelmet

Great game - great D effort. Just hope it does not come at too high a cost with Talib/Dennard.