Opening Kickoff - why did we elect to receive?

[GrogansArmy]

Apparently some people on this forum could have stopped watching the game after the coin toss because they knew that it would cost the Pats the game

I'll admit I was one of them. It just didn't feel right that BB would not defer for the first time in like 10 years when given the chance. Except for that one time in OT in high winds. I watched the whole game of course, but from the get-go I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Regardless, we were going to lose with the way the Bronco's D was playing. Props to the Bronco's D.

I just hate when the loudmouths win over the guys that keep quiet and just play.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

FWIW, I wonder if BB elected to receive in the first half because he was concerned about the winds in the second half or something.

 

[supafly]

FWIW, I wonder if BB elected to receive in the first half because he was concerned about the winds in the second half or something.

I thought it was due to the fact that he had hoped to get an extra possession out of it, and/or set the tone of the game, but I agree with all of the others who stated that it just didn't feel right. Whenever they get away from what has proven to be successful it tends to feel strange and even a bit desperate.

 

[SVN]

I thought it was due to the fact that he had hoped to get an extra possession out of it, and/or set the tone of the game, but I agree with all of the others who stated that it just didn't feel right. Whenever they get away from what has proven to be successful it tends to feel strange and even a bit desperate.

They tend to overthink sometimes. They overthought what the total pts would be needed today and maybe got encouraged from the opening drive vs KC to get a fast start. Happens. They arent flawless.

 

[luuked]

There are things that are debatable like going for it on fourth down and then there is the lunacy in this thread where people are apparently being upset that we didnt defer.

How would this have solved any of the fundamental issues we had in this game? Why would the OL suddenly play better?

The search for shiny, red herrings continues.

 

[TomPatriot]

He wanted the opportunity to get one more possession in the game than the Patriots might otherwise get. He thought the offense would need the extra possession against an outstanding defense.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Granted, with how we played it wouldn't have made much of a difference overall. Still tho, it was a bit of a head scratcher. BB ALWAYS defers and this time he elected to receive? I can only presume he wanted us to score quickly and quiet the crowd. Did he forget the statistics though? The team that defers more often than not wins due to scoring at the half and getting it back again right away at the start of the 2nd half.

Am I missing something? Why would BB change that up all of a sudden when its worked so well for us for a long time?

People were talking about this all week and the Patriots made the logical choice. Teams wear down in Denver and getting ahead early is critical. We didn't do it, however, and lack of execution makes everyone question game management. 50/50 hindsight, maybe we do things differently. But, from a logical perspective in real time, I think the Patriots made the right choice.

 

[SunshineSammy]

I agree with the thinking that Denver is an unusual place.. And he was concerned about the altitude and probably had a good practice week for what he hoped would be a long first drive, and shorten his defensive game..

 

[convertedpatsfan]

All of the forecasts predicted a 50% chance of rain with potential snow, coming later in the game. My guess is that BB thought he should get the ball when the weather is good, as it might not be later.

It was strange, but it wasn't a huge factor. Even though we got the ball first, Denver ended the half with a FG. And even though Denver started off with the ball in the 3rd quarter, they were shut out the entire quarter so it didn't really impact the game.

Although I'm sure some sore losers will blame BB for this as part of the reason we lost. It really had no impact.

 

[Jackson 2]

We're all fellow Pats fans on a message board, all sulking after a hard loss. Not all of us will feel the same about the outcome. But instead of conversing, some here just press a stupid disagree button and add nothing to the conversation.....So dumb and annoying.

I never press that button because it kills the point of even being on this message board. If I don't like what you say, I'm going to tell you why. Not press a button and hide.

There are instances where opinions and/or observations are so ludicrous that words can't do them justice. Taking anything written on a message board seriously, particularly after an emotional loss, seems a waste of time and energy to me. We're all fans and most of us do get emotional, but I don't think it's ever enough to get really pissed off over for any length of time.

 

[Triumph]

Electing to take the ball did not cost the Pats this game.

The Pats had plenty of opportunities to win this game.

 

[Galeb]

I think the idea was to get an early lead and keep the defense off the field as much as possible. Why they'd do that and come out in a soft zone is what I don't understand.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Prolly have something to do with the sun

Or bill out coaching him self again like he has done for 2 months in a row

It actually worked out fine. NE stoned DEN for a 3-and-out on DEN's opening possession of the 2nd half. So NE got the best of both worlds -- the ball to start the game and then immediately got the ball back near the start of the 2nd half.

 

[FCB02062]

Perhaps electing to receive had something to do with their lack of going for the "double score" of late. There were plenty of occasions this season when they had the ball, 2 or 3 timeouts and around a minute left before the end of the half and they just took a knee or ran brandon bolden straight into josh kline's ass. So perhaps Belichick figured, they weren't going to try to score before the half so why not just receive...who knows, just searching for answers to another head scratcher from the coach..

 

[sevengables_2207]

When I heard that the had elected to receive, I got bad vibes, since it was against the grain, and I am a bit superstitious.

Moreover, it just felt right putting the pressure on Manning right off the bat.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

All of the forecasts predicted a 50% chance of rain with potential snow, coming later in the game. My guess is that BB thought he should get the ball when the weather is good, as it might not be later.

It was strange, but it wasn't a huge factor. Even though we got the ball first, Denver ended the half with a FG. And even though Denver started off with the ball in the 3rd quarter, they were shut out the entire quarter so it didn't really impact the game.

Although I'm sure some sore losers will blame BB for this as part of the reason we lost. It really had no impact.

Belichick said the weather wasnt a factor when they didnt elect to defer

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Electing to take the ball did not cost the Pats this game.

The Pats had plenty of opportunities to win this game.

maybe the criticism from the jets OT game factored in his decision in this game

 

[luuked]

maybe the criticism from the jets OT game factored in his decision in this game

I am sure BB takes the criticism of media and fans into account when making decisions.. /s

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Why are some people pulling out the silly "arrogance" card? BB does what he thinks is best for the team, period. I don't think he's influenced at all by what people think of him or how it might make him look.

 

[deters]

BB has shown his arrogance outweighs logic many times this season. Still can't believe he turned down 6 points yesterday in such a close game...