The Pats will go only as far as the offense carries them....

[MrBigglesWorth]

In all reality, the defense will show up without a doubt and special teams has improved with Hobbs.

But these Patriots of ours will only advance as far as Brady and the offense carries them. They need to score in the first quarter and earlier if they can to be front runners. The longer the offense does little the more the Jets will grow in confidence and us as fans should be nervous.

Much like the entire season this team will push forward or be held back by its ability or limitation on putting points on the board.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

When Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison, and Eugene Wilson went down, what was really amazing is that they continued to play lights out on the defensive side of the ball. They looked pretty darn impressive in road games against Jax and TN in recent weeks.

I've seen alot of teams lose as little as ONE guy, and just implode thereafter.

How the heck do the Pats continue to pull it off?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

When Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison, and Eugene Wilson went down, what was really amazing is that they continued to play lights out on the defensive side of the ball. They looked pretty darn impressive in road games against Jax and TN in recent weeks.

I've seen alot of teams lose as little as ONE guy, and just implode thereafter.

How the heck do the Pats continue to pull it off?

Actually, one could very easily argue that the Pats have gotten better as the season goes along (yes, they gave up more points towards the end of the season, but they also caused far more takeaways).

How the heck do the Pats continue to pull it off? I think I can answer that in two words: quality depth.

 

[PATRIOT64]

These Patriots are NOT a come from behind team for the majority of the games they played this year.

As a matter of fact I think 90% of the games won this year was because they were tied or ahead by late in the 2nd quarter and/or tied or ahead by halftime, - No big comebacks IMO mainly due to a lack of a big play receiver to make big plays if down by 7 or more they have stuggled in those 4 losses.

And we all know what Bradys record is when leading on the scoreboard after the 3rd quarter something like 64-1 I believe?

We must pray that the Patriots in the playoffs NEVER fall more than 13 points behind because I think this team needs to stay very close or ahead on the scoreboard to win - This year they just are not built to be a team to come back from 14 points or more-thats just the way it is, Unless Chad Jackson can wake up before September comes around again

 

[captain stone]

In all reality, the defense will show up without a doubt and special teams has improved with Hobbs.

But these Patriots of ours will only advance as far as Brady and the offense carries them. They need to score in the first quarter and earlier if they can to be front runners. The longer the offense does little the more the Jets will grow in confidence and us as fans should be nervous.

Much like the entire season this team will push forward or be held back by its ability or limitation on putting points on the board.

And it all begins with the OL. They must keep TB clean, open holes, and avoid penalties. Matt Light cannot afford any more breakdowns.

 

[BelichickFan]

Our third quarter stats are pitiful, scoring only 73 points allseason in the 3rd quarter, an average of less than 5 points per game.

That would be "less than 5 points per quarter" not game. 4.6 points per quarter vs. 6 per quarter for the season. A little below.

Do you have a link with 3rd quarter scoring for all teams ? I would expect 1st and 3rd quarter scoring to be lower than 2nd and 4th as teams aren't fighting the clock to score in that quarter.

 

[DarrylS]

Actually, one could very easily argue that the Pats have gotten better as the season goes along (yes, they gave up more points towards the end of the season, but they also caused far more takeaways).

How the heck do the Pats continue to pull it off? I think I can answer that in two words: quality depth.

I would add two more words.. coaching and preparation. They also scored a lot of points in the past three weeks.. 104, that is a lot of points and for us to peak at this time with our complimentary team style is no accident.

 

[richpats]

These Patriots are NOT a come from behind team for the majority of the games they played this year.

As a matter of fact I think 90% of the games won this year was because they were tied or ahead by late in the 2nd quarter and/or tied or ahead by halftime, - No big comebacks IMO mainly due to a lack of a big play receiver to make big plays if down by 7 or more they have stuggled in those 4 losses.

And we all know what Bradys record is when leading on the scoreboard after the 3rd quarter something like 64-1 I believe?

We must pray that the Patriots in the playoffs NEVER fall more than 13 points behind because I think this team needs to stay very close or ahead on the scoreboard to win - This year they just are not built to be a team to come back from 14 points or more-thats just the way it is, Unless Chad Jackson can wake up before September comes around again

I've looked into these stats before- in the Belichick/Brady era, in games where the Pats fall behind by no more than 8 points, they are 27-2. Only the SD game in '02 and Miami meltdown in '04 did the Pats fail to comeback. In both games the Pats beat themselves. If the deficit is 10 points and under, the Pats are 30-3 (Carolina game in '05 is the other loss). If the deficit exceeds 10 points, the Pats are 3-22 (Pats have not come back from this type of deficit since 12/29/02).

This year in each Pats loss, they fell behind by 10+ points. Only in the Buffalo game did they come back by such a deficit. So yes, I agree, the Pats are not a 'comeback' team.

The Pats are 62-2 when leading at halftime (Denver '01 and Miami '04); 63-1 when leading after the 3rd quarter (Miami '04). Early control of the game is crucial for the Pats. In games where they score 17 points FIRST, the Pats are 57-1 IIRC (Miami '04 of course).

The Pats may not be a comeback team but they sure aren't a choke team either - just think, in 105 games they have only truly given ONE game away.

 

[carolinatony]

I agree.
Seems like its getting into sync a lot better the last few gams. I still believe no turnovers and we win the SB.

 

[teamplay]

great stats, richpats!

 

[stinkypete]

The 3 keys to a Super Bowl:

1) Score early
2) Hold on to the ball
3) Let the D do what it does

 

[JR4]

And it all begins with the OL. They must keep TB clean, open holes, and avoid penalties. Matt Light cannot afford any more breakdowns.

I think it is more than just the Oline. The Oline gets the blame often
because break downs are easiest to spot there. But often that break
down is the result of something else that didn't go right.

Brady is very much involved in getting the right blocking assignments.
If Brady doesn't spot the uncovered Blitzer that's not the Oline.
The TEs must do their parts. if they glance off their assignment without
a solid hit there's problems. The WRs have to be where they are suppose
to be at the right time. Blitz picker upers need to do it well
or Brady has to move and then blocking Oliners can easily lose containment.
It is more than just the Oline.

I think this Offense is hitting on all cylinders right now. But PATs defense still
needs to do it's part. You might be able to rely on 20 points more or
less from PATs Offense depending on opposing defense.
I feel PATs defense should be able to keep most playoff teams to 21 or less points.
All this means is PATs can be competive in any playoff game.
The team that make the fewest mistakes and makes some big plays wins.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Actually, one could very easily argue that the Pats have gotten better as the season goes along (yes, they gave up more points towards the end of the season, but they also caused far more takeaways).

How the heck do the Pats continue to pull it off? I think I can answer that in two words: quality depth.

Correct! And this depth does not come cheap. Remember that, all you mini me Snyders out there when free agency starts. Better to pay 43 really good players some than a dozen elite players a ton.

 

[AzPatsFan]

That would be "less than 5 points per quarter" not game. 4.6 points per quarter vs. 6 per quarter for the season. A little below.

Do you have a link with 3rd quarter scoring for all teams ? I would expect 1st and 3rd quarter scoring to be lower than 2nd and 4th as teams aren't fighting the clock to score in that quarter.

The Pats pattern this year is most unusual, It deviates from the pattern that usually occurs. This team's record is that they OUTSCORE the opposition in EVERY quarter. The amount they outscore the opposition varies but this is most unusual for any good team to post such figures. The exception is those heavy dominant offensive teams that just score and score but never seem to win anything in the postseason, as they run up the score like 40-3 over the weak guys and lose to the handful of good clubs that they play. Reviewing their scoring patterns every quarter reveals those useless dweebs dominate the scoring but it means nothing.

Historically, the Pats score most in the second and fourth quarters and occasionally outscore the opposition in th first quarter barely as they probe and feel out the opposition. Similarly in the third quarter, historically they react and probe to see what the adjustments are, and sometimes lose the scoring edge. But in the second and fourth quarters the depth and knowledge of what the opposition are doing, lead to the Pats to heavily outscoring the opposition.

Nonsense aside, from NEM and company who want to pass, pass, pass, (with "play action"!). As if, never running would make "play action" do anything except allow the pass rush to get to Brady more often.

Unless you actually run the ball every once in a while. "Play action" is more than the QB faking, it requires the O-linemen to fake as if is a run too; allowing a D-lineman playing pass to get by them more easily. An O-lineman has to fire out as if its a run, a quick defender wants that, if he wants to get by his would be blocker. Thats why when pass blocking, the Offensive linemen retreat at first, so they can see the move the D-lineman will take.

 

[LloydBraun]

Playoff keys:

1a- protect #12
1b- run the ball. We need to be successful with Maroney and Dillon. Is it just me, or is Evans turning into a great lead blocker?
3- win the turnover battle

If we can do all 3, we will be in good shape.

 

[captain stone]

1b- run the ball. We need to be successful with Maroney and Dillon. Is it just me, or is Evans turning into a great lead blocker?

It's not you; Evans has improved a great deal. This is coming from an Evans-basher from last season. In fact, Evans should be on the field for any reasonable down-and-distance situations. Put it this way: who would you rather see on the field, Evans or Kelvin Kight/Bumblin' Bennie Watson?