The remarkable thing about the 48 points

[godef]

When a team scores such a high number of points, kick return and/or defensive touchdowns are usually a prerequesite. But in yesterday's game, the first 41 points were all scord on offensive drives starting at our end of the field (with the exception of one field goal).

For example, when we beat Indy 44-13 in 2001, we had two TDs on interceptions. When we bat the jests 44-7 in 2002, we had a pick for a TD and a strip-sack-TD by Tebucky. On offense alone, the games would have been a more normal offensive output of 30-point (presuming I didn't miss other ST or D TDs).

But yesterday's 48 points was all offense. Tremendous!

 

[Oswlek]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Equally amazing was the fact that NE errors kept another 10-14 points off the board.

 

[He Ban Me]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

I think the T.O.P number is what is impressive about the 48 points, Considering:

*the low rushing total.
*the long TD plays.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Yup. For most of the game, Dallas was plus one in takeaways, and our giveaway was the most expensive kind. They also had a huge play on special teams, with a massive kick off return.

We evened out the turnover differential after the game was essentially decided. But until then, they were a big plus 2 on special teams and turnovers. To overcome those kind of big plays on the road, your offense needs to be special.

11 for 17 on third down conversions is what got it done. (Plus, we were 2-2 on fourth down conversions, so two of the six non-third-down conversions were eventually converted anyway.) Kept their defense on the field, and allowed us to overcome the two big plays going the other way.

At the end of the day, although it's being reported as a blow out, I don't think that's quite fair to the Cowboys. The final score is not indicative of how close the game was. It's the first game the Patriots have played in where you could pick out one or two plays and argue that, if they had gone the other way, the result could have been different.

If I had to vote for the play of the game, it would be the 10 yard catch by Gaffney on third down and five, on the drive where the Patriots were down by 3 in the third quarter. It's all the more impressive when you consider that Gaffney was not thrown to all that much in the game. He has a very tough job on this team -- to run route after route without getting thrown to but to stay sharp for the one big play when it comes his way. Very impressive. Play off the game. Not saying we lose if we don't convert there, but if you rewind to that point in the game and he drops the ball, I'd call it something close to 50/50 if we punt there.

Probably second would be the hold on the Cowboys on 4th and 1. It was a clear hold, but if you watch the play, the penalty actually occurred after they had picked up the first down -- it was in front of the line of scrimmage, which is why the penalty only marched them back to 4th and 8. Stupid play.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Just curious-when Malroney gets back, how much more dangerous will you guys be?

For a team that went pass happy, you guys did a darn good job having time-consuming drives. Most pass happy teams get big strike plays instead.

 

[He Ban Me]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Yup. For most of the game, Dallas was plus one in takeaways, and our giveaway was the most expensive kind. They also had a huge play on special teams, with a massive kick off return.

We evened out the turnover differential after the game was essentially decided. But until then, they were a big plus 2 on special teams and turnovers. To overcome those kind of big plays on the road, your offense needs to be special.

11 for 17 on third down conversions is what got it done. (Plus, we were 2-2 on fourth down conversions, so two of the six non-third-down conversions were eventually converted anyway.) Kept their defense on the field, and allowed us to overcome the two big plays going the other way.

At the end of the day, although it's being reported as a blow out, I don't think that's quite fair to the Cowboys. The final score is not indicative of how close the game was. It's the first game the Patriots have played in where you could pick out one or two plays and argue that, if they had gone the other way, the result could have been different.

If I had to vote for the play of the game, it would be the 10 yard catch by Gaffney on third down and five, on the drive where the Patriots were down by 3 in the third quarter. It's all the more impressive when you consider that Gaffney was not thrown to all that much in the game. He has a very tough job on this team -- to run route after route without getting thrown to but to stay sharp for the one big play when it comes his way. Very impressive. Play off the game. Not saying we lose if we don't convert there, but if you rewind to that point in the game and he drops the ball, I'd call it something close to 50/50 if we punt there.

Probably second would be the hold on the Cowboys on 4th and 1. It was a clear hold, but if you watch the play, the penalty actually occurred after they had picked up the first down -- it was in front of the line of scrimmage, which is why the penalty only marched them back to 4th and 8. Stupid play.

Another BIG PLAY, IMO, was Morris's struggle to get back to the LOS on 3rd and short. Cowboys had him racked up for a 2 yard loss, but he did enough to create a 4th and less than 1. If you guys are 4th and 3 there, I think BB MAY kick a FG, making it 17 rather than 21.

 

[godef]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Just curious-when Malroney gets back, how much more dangerous will you guys be?

For a team that went pass happy, you guys did a darn good job having time-consuming drives. Most pass happy teams get big strike plays instead.

Malroney?

 

[ATippett56]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Malroney?

Maybe an Irish thing?

 

[patsox23]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

If I had to vote for the play of the game, it would be the 10 yard catch by Gaffney on third down and five, on the drive where the Patriots were down by 3 in the third quarter. It's all the more impressive when you consider that Gaffney was not thrown to all that much in the game. He has a very tough job on this team -- to run route after route without getting thrown to but to stay sharp for the one big play when it comes his way. Very impressive.

Great point. Gaffney's done a really good job. It'll be sad if he gets cut to make way for, say, Troy Brown. I'm sure nobody on this team wents a ticket out of town, given how "special" this team could be.

 

[patsox23]

Re: The remarkable thing about the 48 points.

Another BIG PLAY, IMO, was Morris's struggle to get back to the LOS on 3rd and short. Cowboys had him racked up for a 2 yard loss, but he did enough to create a 4th and less than 1. If you guys are 4th and 3 there, I think BB MAY kick a FG, making it 17 rather than 21.

A fine point by He Ban Me. What's the world coming to?