One thing that bothered me about Last week's game

[GrogansArmy]

We've all heard many times in the past that the Pats aren't trying to run up the score by going for it on 4th down up by a bunch. I believe that even BB's implied that its more of an insult to kick a FG rather than giving the other team a chance to stop them on 4th down.

That being the case I've always defended us when my friends (non-pats fans) claim we run up the score cuz we're arrogant pricks or whatnot. However, last week all those reasons flew out the window because:

Late 3rd Quarter we go for up on 4th and 9 deep in Buffalo territory. That seemed to go along with BB's philosophy of giving the defense a chance to stop us instead of taking the easy 3 points.

However, late in the 4th Q, with like 5 min left in the game, we decide to kick a FG. That pretty much meant we were running up the score. According to BB's philosphy, and according to my friends.

So, my question is, why did we kick that FG? With only a few minutes left in the game and up by so much? I had thought the Pats prided themselves on not "rubbing it in". Is it because we really hate the Bills? I would think we'd feel pity on them if anything. At Least I do lol.

Its not a big deal of course, but I thought I understood the whole reasoning about not really running up the score by going for it on 4th late in the game up by a bazillion and that by kicking a FG we would be insulting them. But Last weeks game turned that upside down, well unless we really were trying to run up the score.

 

[DaedalusX]

You're putting too much thought into this. Way too much thought.

 

[GrogansArmy]

Like I said, its not a big deal, but I was just curious as to the reasoning why we went for a FG late in the 4th quarter up by a lot, when normally we just go for it on 4th down.

 

[Sivy]

I'm not sure if i recall the exact yardage, but I think they went for it the first time because it would have been a long FG, but a short punt that probably would have just ended up at the 20 anyway..I could be totaly making this up, but I seem to remember thinking this.

 

[hyperpat]

Even field goal kickers need reps. Was a good chance to keep Graham in the groove (don't believe he's missed one yet?).

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Graham needed the practice.

 

[BlitzFritz]

Here was my take:

The offense is on the field to score points. (In case anyone wonders why, watch the Eagles-Giants game where Eagles score 28 points in final 7 minutes).

The first time, it was too long for a field goal try.

The second time, it was about getting the points, and playing smart football.

== FRITZ

 

[stoinkythepig]

Here was my take:

The offense is on the field to score points. (In case anyone wonders why, watch the Eagles-Giants game where Eagles score 28 points in final 7 minutes).

That's pretty much exactly what I said to the Bills fan that was complaining about running up the score while sitting behind me at the game.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I would also never forget the "situational football" aspect.

I doubt our coaching staff would ever pass up seeing what happens if a "situation' ever presented itself. Real game time is so precious so the chance to see what happens 4th and 9 could have value.

God, as a Pats fan, do I love being attacked for us running up the score. it's almost as good as worring about stats from soft, prevent defense.

 

[Jackson 2]

I'm pining for the day we put 100 up on some team. It'll never happen, but I can dream.

 

[TruthSeeker]

However, late in the 4th Q, with like 5 min left in the game, we decide to kick a FG. That pretty much meant we were running up the score. According to BB's philosphy, and according to my friends.

So, my question is, why did we kick that FG? With only a few minutes left in the game and up by so much? I had thought the Pats prided themselves on not "rubbing it in". Is it because we really hate the Bills? I would think we'd feel pity on them if anything. At Least I do lol.

First off, I've never heard anyone in the Patriots organization say that they "pride" themselves on not rubbing it in. That's a misimpression on your part. What BB says is that it is the offenses job to "move the ball downfield" and to "score points". That's what the offense prides itself in.

Most of the time that the Patriots go for it on 4th down late in games with a big lead, they typically are within a few yards of the first down marker. That's because they've typically been running the ball or maybe have a short pass that keeps advancing the ball every play. In this case, as I remember, it was 4th and long. Very little chance to run the ball and get a first down against a defense that is playing the run. The choices are:

- run the ball and very likely turn the ball over on downs
- pass the ball
- take the easy 3 points

I thought taking the 3 points was the best option and I'm glad that BB agreed. If it was 4th and 2, I'd go for running the ball or even a short pass for the first down.

Hey, it's not a poor reflection on the Patriots that they've scored points during the game and the other team hasn't. The game is 60 minutes; both teams have to play. Once one team has a big lead, there seems to be a lot of people (mostly rooting for the losing team) that think that anything other than giving the ball back to the losing team almost immediately is poor sportsmanship. I disagree. Which of the 3 options should the Patriots have taken? Should they have just given the ball back to the other team with a running play that has a small (say 20%) chance of succeeding? I don't think so but that's me. The goal of the offense isn't to help the other team; it's to maximize their own chances of winning.

 

[37Harrison]

How about... who gives a sh!t. Seriously, tell your little b!tch!ng, whiny, azz friends to suck it. What are they supposed to do take a knee for three downs and the punt it to the other team to make it fair?

Geezus, I can't stand it when I hear this from people, boo-hoo-hoo, those mean old Patriots are being mean again! They keep scoring on us!

I think it would be more of an insult to a defense if the offense were to just quit and give them the ball back, kinda like playing basketball with your 5 year old kid in the driveway.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Even field goal kickers need reps. Was a good chance to keep Graham in the groove (don't believe he's missed one yet?).

Not field goals, just extra points (multiple!).

But I agree, it was more about reps than anything. He only had one FG attempt the previous game, and none in the Buffalo game up to that point, so I think it was just to give him a chance to kick in game conditions.

As for the 4th and 9, I think it made sense to go for it and had nothing to do with giving the Bills a chance to stop us or anything like that. A punt probably goes for a touchback since the wind was at our back that quarter and we were already on the Buffalo side of the field, thus yielding around 15 yards field position. I think they ended up going deep on that one, so even if it got picked off in the field of play, would have been better than a punt in terms of field position.

 

[Clonamery]

How about... who gives a sh!t. Seriously, tell your little b!tch!ng, whiny, azz friends to suck it. What are they supposed to do take a knee for three downs and the punt it to the other team to make it fair?

Geezus, I can't stand it when I hear this from people, boo-hoo-hoo, those mean old Patriots are being mean again! They keep scoring on us!

I think it would be more of an insult to a defense if the offense were to just quit and give them the ball back, kinda like playing basketball with your 5 year old kid in the driveway.

Thanks for echoing my sentiments. When your team turns the ball over 7 times just be thankful you didn't get 50 put up on you. STFU.

 

[RayClay]

I don't understand what you are supposed to do otherwise? Do you hand the ball to the defense? That wouldn't be showing them up, would it?

 

[Calciumee]

Well... We won! Let's not think too much

 

[RobertWeathers]

In the 4th Qtr, the score was 31-3. No question a blowout but also up by 4 touchdowns. BB kicked the FG @ the 10:19 mark to make it a 5 possession game.

If anyone watched the Eagles/Giants game, (21 points in 7 minutes) and the Bills did exactly what the Iggles did, that would made the score (failing on the 4th down conversion and not kicking the FG) 31-24 w/ 2+ minutes to go. Fumble, onside kicks, 3-n-out, INTs, stuff happens.

Let's not go down the road of running up the score on this one as the game was not over yet with a lot of time left. If the Pats were up 45-3 with 1:21 left and Brady threw a TD to make it 52-3 then your buddies may have a legitimate beef.

 

[ScottieC]

We've all heard many times in the past that the Pats aren't trying to run up the score by going for it on 4th down up by a bunch. I believe that even BB's implied that its more of an insult to kick a FG rather than giving the other team a chance to stop them on 4th down.

That being the case I've always defended us when my friends (non-pats fans) claim we run up the score cuz we're arrogant pricks or whatnot. However, last week all those reasons flew out the window because:

Late 3rd Quarter we go for up on 4th and 9 deep in Buffalo territory. That seemed to go along with BB's philosophy of giving the defense a chance to stop us instead of taking the easy 3 points.

However, late in the 4th Q, with like 5 min left in the game, we decide to kick a FG. That pretty much meant we were running up the score. According to BB's philosphy, and according to my friends.

So, my question is, why did we kick that FG? With only a few minutes left in the game and up by so much? I had thought the Pats prided themselves on not "rubbing it in". Is it because we really hate the Bills? I would think we'd feel pity on them if anything. At Least I do lol.

Its not a big deal of course, but I thought I understood the whole reasoning about not really running up the score by going for it on 4th late in the game up by a bazillion and that by kicking a FG we would be insulting them. But Last weeks game turned that upside down, well unless we really were trying to run up the score.

You think Bill does not use those instances as teaching points and what if scenario’s in his world of situational football?

Please.

Tell your friends to kiss it, Bill does what he does for a reason. And only himself, players and coaches know those reasons.

It's not because he's worried about what will be written about him or what people will think - That's a damn fact.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Get some new buddies who don't get their panties all atwist and wet them at the horrific sight of a FG being kicked. Really.

 

[BTTA]

BB kicked the FG @ the 10:19 mark to make it a 5 possession game. If anyone watched the Eagles/Giants game, (21 points in 7 minutes)

This is the key number, the time on the clock.

Plus, I have it on good authority that Brady came over to the sidelines and said his bad shoulder was acting up, he was tired and bored, and he wanted out of the game.