The Patriots vs Packers POST Game Thread

[saspack]

Another reason I didn't love the long TD-that-almost-was pass to Gronk. There were over 3 minutes left on the clock at that point. Why not chip away and chew up some clock? Didn't seem like great playcalling in that situation.

It's almost like they wanted to lose this game. Lots of questionable play calls on offense, not running the ball early, using Vereen as running back...

 

[TomPatriot]

The offense was given 8 non-kneeldown possessions to work with. So exactly how many points do you believe they should have gotten with those? For extra credit, compare and contrast with their per-possession points year to date.

Actually, 29. I expected them to score a TD on the last drive and go for 2. Instead, a one yard run, a sack, a tough drop and a missed FG attempt ensued.

 

[TBR]

Rather than going for it on 4th and 18 like some people I've seen suggest, we'd probably have a slightly better shot at faking a field goal. Imagine that

 

[woolster22]

If the refs had called the PA on Gronk's 'near td' the Pats have the ball on the one yd line with a first down, very different game.

I didn't think there was PI, but it was Gronk...Maybe I'm so used to him getting mugged it seemed normal.

 

[moejr]

McDaniels refusal to run directly at a smaller athletic defense was dumbfounding. Should have pounded that defense with Blount or Gray instead of falling right into what that defense does best. 30th rank run defense and instead we tried to use a short passing game as our running game. Forcing a square peg into a round hole especially when our interior line couldn't hold up in pass protection. I thought we were past this.

Aaron was unreal, so I can't really blame our defense. He made some throws our defenders just had no chance. McCourty should have been there on that TD pass to end the first half, but it was just a great play by them.

Rodgers ability to scramble really made our defense play tentative in there rush scheme. But to give him that much time to throw, it's going to be a completion anyways. Tough to defend.

I'll blame this loss on our offense. Didn't hold up their end. McD in a big game got stubborn. We've seen it before.

Your last sentence is something I have been saying for 7 years. McDaniels is stubborn and in big games he just coaches like crap. SB42 is a perfect example of that

 

[Mack Herron]

They did some good things, but too many problems surfaced, including some familiar ones. Logan Ryan looked like Jonathan Wilhite, but things were better in the second half when he was replaced. McCourty and Revis gave up a game-changing big play, but I think they can play better. The coaches put Ninkovich in a race he could not win. I agree with criticism of the offensive coaching, and leaning too heavily on the pass. Without blitzing, we lack a pass rush, and hopefully Chandler Jones can return to give us that. But I am even more concerned with the offensive execution and the OL. which reverted back to early season mediocrity. This line had too many bad plays, several at crucial times. The biggest difference between these teams was that Brady was under constant duress and Rodgers had all the time he wanted (and then some), especially on third down where he torched us (see time of possession).

 

[woolster22]

Revis had outside leverage. Why was he looking outside?

Kind of my point...

 

[TomPatriot]

Revis had outside leverage. Why was he looking outside?

Bad read. The Pats had quite a few today.

 

[woolster22]

Yes, that's definitely why they lost, not enough Gray, the straight from the practice squad to the hall of fame kid!

Gray would have been more effective on many of the runs Vereen was called for. Blount as well.

Bolden?! WTf?! BB should cut his ass just to make sure Josh uses the correct personnel! Seriously, WTF?

 

[woolster22]

Bet Brady really wants that play back at the end

Fixed for you, but the point stands.

 

[rochrist]

Gray would have been more effective on many of the runs Vereen was called for. Blount as well.

Bolden?! WTf?! BB should cut his ass just to make sure Josh uses the correct personnel! Seriously, WTF?

Having Vereen on the field provides a different threat to the defense. When they do those runs, I expect it's generally seeing some response the defense has made and he audibles into the run. If Gray were on the field, they present an entirely different profile and likely get a different look from the D.

 

[woolster22]

Bad read. The Pats had quite a few today.

Assuming safety help inside maybe?

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

The play of the game for the pats. That gronk catch and run through about 4 guys to almost a TD

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe 19m19 minutes ago
This season, quarterbacks are 27 of 66 for 429 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions (54.4 rating) when throwing at Darrelle Revis.

 

[50-yard-line]

Only thing that bugged me in that game was the number of times the Pats "gave up" second down by trying to go deep. They had nothing deep. but they kept throwing away downs on long throws.

Ont he one to Gronk, had he caught it, they still would have lost the game, I expect, because they would have given the ball back to GB with almost 3 minutes and 3 timeouts left, and needing only a field goal.

Ah well, good game anyway. They need to win out. Denver is, at this moment destroying KC (who have really choked big time in the last few minutes).

 

[woolster22]

Having Vereen on the field provides a different threat to the defense. When they do those runs, I expect it's generally seeing some response the defense has made and he audibles into the run. If Gray were on the field, they present an entirely different profile and likely get a different look from the D.

So kick it outside/wide zone. Inside the tackles is vereen's weakness. Sure, every now and then he hits a cut back for a bit gain, but generally it is a loss or negligible gain.

 

[obgod3]

I'm not too worried about it really, they moved the ball when they had to, granted I didn't care for some of the play calling either on the last drive.

But I would have worried much more if they won out going into the playoffs, I do believe a little kick in the ass once and a while isn't a bad thing.

But they now have to take care of business the next four games.

 

[Triumph]

Another reason I didn't love the long TD-that-almost-was pass to Gronk. There were over 3 minutes left on the clock at that point. Why not chip away and chew up some clock? Didn't seem like great playcalling in that situation.

Word

Burn clock and do not give Rodgers another opportunity like prior to halftime.

 

[scott99]

I'm not too worried about it really, they moved the ball when they had to, granted I didn't care for some of the play calling either on the last drive.

But I would have worried much more if they won out going into the playoffs, I do believe a little kick in the ass once and a while isn't a bad thing.

But they now have to take care of business the next four games.

The next 4 are gonna be just as tough as today. Especially SD, Miami and Buffalo, all fighting for playoff spots and playing well.

 

[IllegalContact]

I think the pats played like they plan on seeing these guys again....... Thoroughly outplayed and still in the spot to take the lead in the end.

The game film will be much more useful to the pats