What was the Offensive Gameplan...? (and other thoughts)

[chicowalker]

Matt Chatham said it best: Denver was stopping the run without putting 8 in the box.

That's a huge victory and it means the Pats blocking up front was poor.

The Pats were manhandled across the board. Everyone is to blame, including Brady and BB.

Sure -- but I think it's a huge mistake to give up on it so early in the game, especially when playing an offense like Denver's.

They're always quick to abandon the run, which seems like a fundamental mistake to me when you've got 3 good backs (and a depleted receiver corps)

 

[Fencer]

In response to a few back and forths in this thread, to chime in the score was 23-3 after the first 53 minutes of play.

And while there was a failed 4th down in there, I think that's the only offensive failing you can blame on the defense or scoreboard. I.e., I think it was "really" a 6 point performance up to that point in the game.

 

[PatsSweFan]

16 points vs a high scoring offense is not good enough ...

He did not make 1 deep or intermediate pass all day ...

Sorry ... that is a choke.

Just 1 of those passes completed and we were in the game

... at that level those just 1 play needed must be made.

If you cannot make a deep pass whose fault is it that the box is stacked?

We could have kicked 2fgs and XP so that would be 23pts.
We throw deep one time Edelman and one time Dobson (was well covered) so
Brady didn't play well but wouldn't call it a choke when Slater, Collie, Edelman and Hoomanawanui was our receivers on more than a handfull of snaps

 

[everlong]

The offensive gameplan for the offseason should be to get a new center and at least a new right guard although Mankins sucked today as well. In every playoff loss since 06 the one constant has been the O-line getting nanhandled by more physically gifted D-Lines. Scar is amazing and turns turnstyles into starters but I'd like to see what he could do with some actual talent for once.

Obviously not the only unit lacking in this game but in all the losses they have been awful.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I disagree, if anything that was one of his better AFC championship game. Sure he missed some deep throw down the field, but lets be honest the way Manning was moving up and down the field ,a few more completions would not have made any difference.

You don't miss all of them when you get paid the money he is making.

 

[everlong]

16 points vs a high scoring offense is not good enough ...

He did not make 1 deep or intermediate pass all day ...

Sorry ... that is a choke.

Just 1 of those passes completed and we were in the game

... at that level those just 1 play needed must be made.

If you cannot make a deep pass whose fault is it that the box is stacked?

He didn't have a great game but given he had no running game, the O-line was just as bad pass blocking and alligator arms Amendola has one target and ducked it's amazing he put up the numbers he did. The missed deep ball no doubt that's on him.

 

[IcyPatriot]

We could have kicked 2fgs and XP so that would be 23pts.
We throw deep one time Edelman and one time Dobson (was well covered) so
Brady didn't play well but wouldn't call it a choke when Slater, Collie, Edelman and Hoomanawanui was our receivers on more than a handfull of snaps

If the players were not open I would agree with you ..

But they were open ... and open often as a review of the game will show.

 

[DefenseRules]

Agreed, Tom did everything he could

It wasn't good enough for some people. THEY WANT PERFECTION AND NOTHING ELSE.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

The run game didn't work, Blount averaged 1YPC. The defense was atrocious. In fact, with that defensive performance a win is basically impossible. No turnovers no sacks, 9.3YPA from Manning. They tried to run for 3 series, but those ended in punts.

That wouldn't have been a big deal except that the defense only forced 1 punt the entire game. And thy allowed drives that took half a quarter. So by the time the Pats got their fifth drive it was midway through the 3rd quarter. Which is insane to only have that many drives. At that point they were down by 3 scores and went almost completely pass. Which is the only thing that worked and let them push out 2 TDs in a row.

If anything they should have skipped the run game after the first drive and then maybe the first half would have 2TDs like the second half. But that still probably wouldn't have mattered because the defensive stats are so atrocious I can't imagine any team ever winning after such a sorry defensive performance. Brady and Edelman are the only 2 guys who looked like they even wanted to be there.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

The run game didn't work, Blount averaged 1YPC. The defense was atrocious. In fact, with that defensive performance a win is basically impossible. No turnovers no sacks, 9.3YPA from Manning. They tried to run for 3 series, but those ended in punts.

That wouldn't have been a big deal except that the defense only forced 1 punt the entire game. And then allowed drives that took half a quarter. So by the time the Pats got their fifth drive it was midway through the 3rd quarter. Which is insane to only have that many drives. At that point they were down by 3 scores and went almost completely pass. Which is the only thing that worked and let them push out 2 TDs in a row.

If anything they should have skipped the run game after the first drive and then maybe the first half would have 2TDs like the second half. But that still probably wouldn't have mattered because the defensive stats are so atrocious I can't imagine any team ever winning after such a sorry defensive performance. Brady and Edelman are the only 2 guys who looked like they even wanted to be there.

 

[chicowalker]

The run game didn't work, Blount averaged 1YPC. The defense was atrocious. In fact, with that defensive performance a win is basically impossible. No turnovers no sacks, 9.3YPA from Manning. They tried to run for 3 series, but those ended in punts.

That wouldn't have been a big deal except that the defense only forced 1 punt the entire game. And then allowed drives that took half a quarter. So by the time the Pats got their fifth drive it was midway through the 3rd quarter. Which is insane to only have that many drives. At that point they were down by 3 scores and went almost completely pass. Which is the only thing that worked and let them push out 2 TDs in a row.

If anything they should have skipped the run game after the first drive and then maybe the first half would have 2TDs like the second half. But that still probably wouldn't have mattered because the defensive stats are so atrocious I can't imagine any team ever winning after such a sorry defensive performance. Brady and Edelman are the only 2 guys who looked like they even wanted to be there.

Blount was given 4 or 5 carries.

Brady was 2-4 for 9 yards on the first 2 drives. That doesn't mean you stop passing.

If you're having trouble running the ball, you don't just stop. You mix up who's running the ball, when, where, out of which formation, etc.

We would have had a much better chance to win if we had stuck with a more balanced attack.

 

[woolster22]

Blount had trouble running. Ridley was moderately successful when given attempts. Unfortunately we were to far in a hole once we tried him

 

[Mack Herron]

Blount was given 4 or 5 carries.

Brady was 2-4 for 9 yards on the first 2 drives. That doesn't mean you stop passing.

If you're having trouble running the ball, you don't just stop. You mix up who's running the ball, when, where, out of which formation, etc.

We would have had a much better chance to win if we had stuck with a more balanced attack.

Got to agree. Especially when the receivers are Edelman, Amendola, Collie and Vereen. Cannot understand why you take Blount and Ridley out of the game. I think our offense is anemic without them.

 

[SVN]

Couldve switched to ridley after the 1st 2 drives but then they started moving the ball okay until the OPI and eventually moved away from the running game. Given denver credit . They stuffed the run. Defense did what it wanted to. Force long drives and play RZ D. They converted 2 of 6 on RZ. Problem was they pats didnt ever take control of a quarter and had the broncos convert too many 3rd downs.

 

[fumbrunner]

Denver has an above average run defense and a sieve of a pass defense. Plus the patriots were down early. there was nothing wrong with the game plan. Brady didn't have a great game and the personnel (outside Edelman) stinks. That's well documented.

 

[PattieswinSB]

The run game completely disappeared

 

[Mack Herron]

Denver has an above average run defense and a sieve of a pass defense. Plus the patriots were down early. there was nothing wrong with the game plan. Brady didn't have a great game and the personnel (outside Edelman) stinks. That's well documented.

An offensive plan is not built solely on the strengths of the defense; you also need to take into account the capabilities of the offense. He squeezed the passing game dry and found 250 yards and 16 points. Relying on these receivers to do more was mistaken.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Broncos had two of their longest drives of the entire season in this game. Our defense was gassed.
This offense does not play complementary football.
After a long Broncos drive your defense is toast, you need to give them time to rest.
Pats completely abandoned the run after the first quarter. Just because Blount didn't break free after 5 carries doesn't mean you completely dump the run game. Just stop running it straight at the Broncos massive defensive tackles.
Pats offense didn't do the defense any favors by having so many short drives, especially after brutal long Denver drives that were exhausting for the defense.

 

[fumbrunner]

An offensive plan is not built solely on the strengths of the defense; you also need to take into account the capabilities of the offense. He squeezed the passing game dry and found 250 yards and 16 points. Relying on these receivers to do more was mistaken.

Given the patriots comeback against the broncos earlier in the year, I have no doubt their plan was to spread them out and try to pass the ball. The difference, of course, was gronk. But I suspect the team came in looking to repeat past successes, which isnt always the best way to approach a game.

 

[chicowalker]

Denver has an above average run defense and a sieve of a pass defense. Plus the patriots were down early. there was nothing wrong with the game plan. Brady didn't have a great game and the personnel (outside Edelman) stinks. That's well documented.

The notion that you have to pass because you're down is just nonsense. Down 20 in the 2nd half? Sure, you've got to skew toward the pass, no doubt. But down 10 in the first half? No reason to go heavy on the pass.