17 point lead in the 4th quarter

[condon84]

We can question Bill's call to go for it on that 4th and 2 and Bill deserves criticism for the way that drive transpired, but what really is troubling is that we gave up a 17 point lead in the fourth quarter to a depleted Colts team.

The main issue is that we again started playing soft and gave the Colts easy completions underneath and let them march down the field. Why didn't we stay aggressive?

 

[BelichickFan]

The main issue is that we again started playing soft and gave the Colts easy completions underneath and let them march down the field. Why didn't we stay aggressive?

No clue, we had the game all but wrapped up then started giving up 15 yard chunks - consistently. It was sad and predictable and once it started you knew it wasn't going to end.

 

[mayoclinic]

The main issue is that we again started playing soft and gave the Colts easy completions underneath and let them march down the field. Why didn't we stay aggressive?

Absolutely. BBDB broke again.

And we also reverted to the shotgun and got predictable on offense after mixing it up on offense and dominating in the first half. We ran for 51 of our 113 yards in the first quarter. We ran 6 times for 5 yards in the 4th quarter.

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

Too many teams go into a prevent, keep the ball in front of us, type of defense... And I'm sure statistically it works, and that's why they use it. But the Colts kept coming when they were down... They were hungry on D, and it showed. NE's defense needs to keep the foot on the throat when they have the lead.

 

[condon84]

No clue, we had the game all but wrapped up then started giving up 15 yard chunks - consistently. It was sad and predictable and once it started you knew it wasn't going to end.

That's what sucks about it. I knew it, you knew it, and a lot of people knew it.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Not sure why the offense didn't go for the knockout when it could have (the Colts D wasn't exactly stopping the Pats O throughout the game) but the D went kaput due to it not having any capable legs left on the DL.

 

[Willie55]

Absolutely. BBDB broke again.

And we also reverted to the shotgun and got predictable on offense after mixing it up on offense and dominating in the first half. We ran for 51 of our 113 yards in the first quarter. We ran 6 times for 5 yards in the 4th quarter.

27 of those 51 rushing yards came on one carry (Faulk I believe).

What I don't understand is how everybody is talking how worn down the Pats D was at the end. If the Pats D is so worn down, why isn't the Colts D worn down - they were on the field just as much as the Pats D.

 

[jbb9s]

Can the original poster be more specific? If he talking about the 2002 SB, the 2004 SB the 2005 SB or the 2007 AFCCG or the 2008 SB?

 

[DarrylS]

These threads can be reframed in a number of different ways, the reality is that Peyton got hot, our D could not contain their O, the Pats made a gamble and they lost...

There is only so many ways you can frame this issue.. it is what it is, NY next SUnday..

 

[condon84]

Absolutely. BBDB broke again.

And we also reverted to the shotgun and got predictable on offense after mixing it up on offense and dominating in the first half. We ran for 51 of our 113 yards in the first quarter. We ran 6 times for 5 yards in the 4th quarter.

We had 2 downs to get 2 yards and we are in shotgun formation for both downs. Brady could have sneaked it twice for two downs to get those 2 yards.

Still though, it shouldn't have come down to that sequence.

Colts scored 3 TDs in the fourth quarter. The two touchdown drives of 79 yards for only 2:04, 79 yards for 1:49 were prime example of what this team's defense has now become late in games. Championship teams don't allow that to happen.

 

[italian pat patriot]

i'm trying to forget it and try to think about next week game against Nyj

not easy...

 

[condon84]

These threads can be reframed in a number of different ways, the reality is that Peyton got hot, our D could not contain their O, the Pats made a gamble and they lost...

There is only so many ways you can frame this issue.. it is what it is, NY next SUnday..

The reality is that we gave Peyton the underneath routes, he started playing pitch and catch, and he took advantage. The Pats changed their defensive philosophy, changed up what was working and lost.

 

[thodoks]

I may be misremembering, but wasn't the first play of the Colts' third touchdown drive a ~20 yd pass play to Dallas Clark? It was clear from that point on that the defensive staff decided to abandon what up until that point had been a very successful game plan.

Like Mayoclinic said in another thread, there is a clear pattern that has emerged in our defeats. Let's hope that this loss will not be in vain, that the staff learns a lesson and BBDB is from here on out shelved.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

....

What I don't understand is how everybody is talking how worn down the Pats D was at the end. If the Pats D is so worn down, why isn't the Colts D worn down - they were on the field just as much as the Pats D.

That's a good question and one that I think Pees should have to answer. The Pats D looked like it just couldn't stop Manning from picking it apart at the end of the game last night. Were they gassed? Or was Manning just that much better than they were yesterday? Fair question.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

i'm trying to forget it and try to think about next week game against Nyj

not easy...

that's the right attitude, but I agree that it's "not easy." I've accepted the fact that I'll just have to wallow in my misery for a day and then look towards the Jets and Saints.

 

[HarkDawg]

we are a depleted team as well.... if you think about it.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

The one play that really bummed me out was Addai's 2nd TD. I thought that's where the loss of Ty Warren really hurt the team. If he's in there for that play, it probably becomes harder for the Indy line to create a gap off of the double team they have on Wilfork.

Add in the fact that Mayo wasn't blocked but just picked the wrong gap (or was too slow to the right gap after indecision) and would up bouncing an arm tackle off the guy really made me uneasy.

 

[tombonneau]

We can question Bill's call to go for it on that 4th and 2 and Bill deserves criticism for the way that drive transpired, but what really is troubling is that we gave up a 17 point lead in the fourth quarter to a depleted Colts team.

The main issue is that we again started playing soft and gave the Colts easy completions underneath and let them march down the field. Why didn't we stay aggressive?

What's troubling is the Pats had a 17 point lead in the 4th and at no point did I feel comfortable. I mean, is anyone really surprised that the D and coaching staff froze up and allowed this comeback? The simple and sad fact is I would have been more surprised if the D had made some clutch stops and big plays to seal a 24-30 point win than I was by Manning coming back and winning.

 

[condon84]

What's troubling is the Pats had a 17 point lead in the 4th and at no point did I feel comfortable. I mean, is anyone really surprised that the D and coaching staff froze up and allowed this comeback? The simple and sad fact is I would have been more surprised if the D had made some clutch stops and big plays to seal a 24-30 point win than I was by Manning coming back and winning.

You hit that right on the button. I was uneasy about this game all week because deep down, if our defense is called upon to make stops, we are now a team that can't get it done.

 

[Jangles]

27 of those 51 rushing yards came on one carry (Faulk I believe).

What I don't understand is how everybody is talking how worn down the Pats D was at the end. If the Pats D is so worn down, why isn't the Colts D worn down - they were on the field just as much as the Pats D.

Actually longer since we had 10 minutes more of possession time