Cross Country Flight took the toll

[MrBigglesWorth]

Just a few points of observation:

1. Colts played Saturday against Ravens and Pats played Sunday versus SD.(4:30 game)

This gave the Colts an extra days worth of rest. I had hoped the NFL would put the Pats on Saturday night coming off the Jets.

The Colts had a short flight to Balt through one time zone.

The Pats had about a 6 hour flight through 3 time zones.(Gain 3 hours there, but lose three on the way back)

By the time they got back to Foxboro it was Monday noon most likely.

2. Played a very physical and emotional San Diego team. Took a huge toll

3. Because of the energy exerted the players immune systems were taxed and susceptible to illness, hence the flu struck.


Summary: Due to short recuperation time the team ran out of gas just before halftime and that big third quarter drive started making pats players cramp and fatigue.

Had they had more time to recuperate I have no doubt the team would have won.

Conclusion: Need home field and bye week.

 

[BelichickFan]

Just a few points of observation:

1. Colts played Saturday against Ravens and Pats played Sunday versus SD.(4:30 game)

This gave the Colts an extra days worth of rest. I had hoped the NFL would put the Pats on Saturday night coming off the Jets.

Why don't they play both NFC divisional games on the same day and both AFC on the same day ? That was both participants in each Conference Championship would get the same rest.

Also to your point, yesterday was our 4th road game in 5 weeks.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Why don't they play both NFC divisional games on the same day and both AFC on the same day ? That was both participants in each Conference Championship would get the same rest.

Also to your point, yesterday was our 4th road game in 5 weeks.

good point. It's all about the cash and I'm sure the networks have something in place.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Mr. B,

I think that is as good an analysis as any. I hesitate to say that, as it seems an excuse. The Colts played better and won it in the last minute,fair and square. It was obvious that the Defense was extremely tired in the second half, and the extensive substituting with third and fourth stringers had their own problems. Too bad so many second stringers were on IR.

So congratulate the Colts. And you are....

Spot ON !!

 

[denverpatsfan]

True the Colts 1st string offense was better than the Pats exhausted 2nd and 3rd stringers. That's what the game boiled down to. Their vaunted WR were effectively held in check. Our back-up to the back-ups couldn't handle their TE's and RB's.

Yes HFA is key!

Oh yeah. Why are there still SD trolls on this board. Got to the beach or something.

 

[Gunnails]

I think the Pats worked hard and are/were banged up like most teams and the end of 18 games, and maybe did not get as much rest as the Colts.

As far as the plane ride, I have riden first class, and the difference between 1st class and coach is huge, I would think that a 6 hour flight on a private jet (J E T S Jets Jets Jets, sorry couldnt help myself the jet word does that to me) would be a pretty easy relaxing, restful flight.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Mr. B,

I think that is as good an analysis as any. I hesitate to say that, as it seems an excuse. The Colts played better and won it in the last minute,fair and square. It was obvious that the Defense was extremely tired in the second half, and the extensive substituting with third and fourth stringers had their own problems. Too bad so many second stringers were on IR.

So congratulate the Colts. And you are....

Spot ON !!

Reminded me of the Carolina Superbowl losing Rodney and Eugene and trying to hang on until the end, except this was far worse and started round halftime with very little pass rush and then the secondary people started dropping then they couldn't stop the run.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

What was so strange about is how quickly it happened.

One minute we're an aggressive, attacking defense making plays all over the field. The next, we're sucking wind and can't make a stop.

It was as if the bottom just fell out in terms of their energy level and stamina. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. Stunning, really.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

What was so strange about is how quickly it happened.

One minute we're an aggressive, attacking defense making plays all over the field. The next, we're sucking wind and can't make a stop.

It was as if the bottom just fell out in terms of their energy level and stamina. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. Stunning, really.

It seemed like it was that drive right before half time that the pats limited to a field goal. when do you think it fell apart?

 

[godef]

Yeah, sitting in a plane for 3 additional hours really tires the body, doesn't it?

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Yeah, sitting in a plane for 3 additional hours really tires the body, doesn't it?

I'm just saying it pretty much made Monday a wasted day and BB said himself they didn't feel right til midway in the week and then the bug set in.

But then again you don't sit in a plane three extra hours when you fly back, the time is just gone.

A 6 hour flight doesn't turn into a 9 hour flight. But six hours was where the flu infested itself with several players.

But let's see, they got back Monday, rested. Probably went in Tuesday. Practice Wed and Thurs. Walk through on Fri. Fly out Saturday.

Colts didn't travel and had three days rest from Dungy.

 

[Tunescribe]

I'm curious what the seats are like on those team charter flights, if they're any different than on regular arlines. These are big men. If the planes have something like the big seats found in first-class accommodations, they could conceivably sleep on the way back.

 

[FilPats]

The Colts, esp. Peyton, played a very good game. However, fatigue was definitely a factor that played against the Pats team. Go Pats:rocker:

 

[godef]

It seemed like it was that drive right before half time that the pats limited to a field goal. when do you think it fell apart?

I'm just saying I think the long flight was the least of the reasons you listed.

 

[richpats]

This does not bode well for our 2008 season, which includes visits to San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland and San Diego. FOUR cross-country trips in one season! Let's hope the Pats get the ring next year.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Our guest from the Meadowlands seems to think teams travel on cushy Lear Jets. Those would be a little tight for the 100+ members of the team and staff.

They travel on a chartered commercial jet and coaches usually get the first class section and work on the fly tweeking game plans. The players do get multiple seats by union rule so they can stretch out somewhat, but they are still on a cramped tube at 35,000 feet. Traveling coast to coast on a Friday and Sunday is no picnic, but it's what they faced for a variety of reasons that they were unable to control in time to alter that fate. Playing back to back road games that were the toughest of the season under those circumstances was bound to stress their stamina to the max, and it wore them down to the point they were unable to execute a game plan that was working well overall until they came up short of personnel fully capable of executing it. The Colts had more than enough talent on their roster to take advantage of the situation, and for once they truly did. They withstood/absorbed our best shots early and proceeded to return fire when it became apparent we were running short of ammo to defend ourselves with.

 

[MDPATSFAN]

This is why you don't lose games at home that you should win during the regular season. Enough excuses...

 

[Pats726]

Make all your excuses, but you were VERY LUCKY in San Diego. You were handed a win because of LUCK and yesterday luck sided on the Dolts.

Payback's a biatch. 'looking forward to foxborough with a VERY ANGRY Charger team.

41-0 coming up!

:singing:

Hey sour grapes never makes it..I can't wait to see the Bolts lose again..and mORE sour grapes from a gang of thugs...

 

[Pat_Nasty]

Seat comfort is actually a little besides the point.

Traveling first class, though much more pleasant, isn't much less rough on the body than coach. What really wears you down on airplanes is the pressurized cabin and the very dry recycling air, with leaches moisture and spreads germs.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Just a few points of observation:

The Colts had a short flight to Balt through one time zone.

.

Not even one time zone for the Colts to travel through. Indy = Balt = EST.