The difference in this game for the offense: a healthy Rob Gronkowski

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Sometimes we really overanalyze the offense, particularly when the Patriots lose. However, I've been saying all season that there's one major reason why the Patriots seem to be a step slow and unable to deliver in big situations. That reason is very simple: Rob Gronkowski's health. The entire offense completely changes when Gronkowski is playing 100%. This was the first game when Gronk did not look like he was hobbling and running within a ten yard box.

The red zone offense is dramatically better when you have arguably the best red zone threat in the NFL at full speed and athleticism, and when Brady knows he has a tremendous mismatch all the time.

We've seen a lot of times when Wes Welker puts up a monster game and we still lose, but when's the last time Gronkowski showed up at his best and the game was even close? I cannot recall a single time that's happened.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think Josh for the most part this time chose to play the hand he was dealt and forgot about agendas. Guys found their rhythm because they weren't being force fed on each other. Heck, even Hoohoo can play the game.

I also think the defense was freed up a little in an attempt to do what they could do, and they did. Sometimes scheme gets in the way of talent.

 

[Deus Irae]

Not forcing the ball into Lllllllllllloyd

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Not forcing the ball into Lllllllllllloyd

That's a major factor as well. I can't count the number of times I've seen Gronk wide open this season but Brady is too focused on Lloyd. Lloyd would be okay in this offense as a complementary player who occassionally comes up with a big play. No idea why they design so many plays to get him the ball for some freakish catch.

 

[Mack Herron]

Gotta agree that coaching was much better and Brady rarely forced a throw, with Lloyd effective when targeted. Line was solid, Gronk was awesome. Vereen definitely showing me something. Looking forward to getting Hernandez and Bolden back.

 

[jmt57]

Given that the weakness of the St. Louis defense is their safeties and outside linebackers I thought there was a good chance that Gronk would have a big game. The only thing that was standing in the way from that happening was whether or not he was back to being healthy.

 

[hellolin]

Sometimes we really overanalyze the offense, particularly when the Patriots lose. However, I've been saying all season that there's one major reason why the Patriots seem to be a step slow and unable to deliver in big situations. That reason is very simple: Rob Gronkowski's health. The entire offense completely changes when Gronkowski is playing 100%. This was the first game when Gronk did not look like he was hobbling and running within a ten yard box.

The red zone offense is dramatically better when you have arguably the best red zone threat in the NFL at full speed and athleticism, and when Brady knows he has a tremendous mismatch all the time.

We've seen a lot of times when Wes Welker puts up a monster game and we still lose, but when's the last time Gronkowski showed up at his best and the game was even close? I cannot recall a single time that's happened.

Wait till AH comes back, you thought we are good in the red zone right now with a 100% gronk lol

 

[ahmed]

Hmm... they didn`t run on first and second down

 

[Bonzo]

Actually, to my (untrained) eye, it looks like Gronk has yet to regain 100% of his full burst. But, even when covered pretty well, he does have that wonderful catch radius of about a mile.

 

[jsull87]

I think Josh for the most part this time chose to play the hand he was dealt and forgot about agendas. Guys found their rhythm because they weren't being force fed on each other. Heck, even Hoohoo can play the game.

I also think the defense was freed up a little in an attempt to do what they could do, and they did. Sometimes scheme gets in the way of talent.

I do think the forcing the ball to people is a good point.

It is tough when you have arguably the best TE in the game and the best slot WR in the game not to force it to them.

But the one thing i would say is when was the last time you heard "Brady has 7 completions and they are to 6 different receivers". I am no way complaining about our offense as the results speak for themselves. But i do think that every now and then some completions to Edelman, Fells and our FB will keep D's more honest when covering Gronk, Welker and Lloyd.

 

[patsfan-1982]

the biggest difference is they faced a Jeff Fisher defense Brady owns him

 

[Ring 6]

I think Josh for the most part this time chose to play the hand he was dealt and forgot about agendas. Guys found their rhythm because they weren't being force fed on each other. Heck, even Hoohoo can play the game.

I also think the defense was freed up a little in an attempt to do what they could do, and they did. Sometimes scheme gets in the way of talent.

Or we did the same things we have done all season and they worked better due to execution and quality of opponent.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I thought it was because TB switched back to his old helmet style.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Or we did the same things we have done all season and they worked better due to execution and quality of opponent.

I dunno, Wes seems to agree with my take...

10mGreg A. Bedard‏@GregABedard

Wes Welker on offense not doing anything exotic: “I think we’re at our best when we do that and not overanalyze stuff or anything...and we’re able to get it and really go,”

But then, what does he know...

 

[PP2]

I think we executed well with the 3 WR sets which we saw plenty of. From what it looks, Fisher had game-planned for 2 TE sets, because when he threw the nickel in, they looked unprepared, e.g., the 3 DPI on Fletcher who was completely unprepared to cover Branch. When we were in the 3 WR set against their nickel, we had the upper hand.

EDIT: I forgot to add that the OL substantially changed their blocking schemes in the 2nd half and began springing Ridley for massive yardage. I am not sure how exactly it changed, but perhaps someone with far more knowledge than me, such as Unoriginal, could break this down? Or someone could go over to PP and copy what AWTE had to say.

 

[shmessy]

Donald Thomas.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...ad-another-100-yard-game-without-mankins.html

 

[TruthSeeker]

Gronk looked injured and a little slow to me. He had a great game, but I'm not convinced at all that he's restored to full health.