Playing with the Lead

[Metaphors]

Total amount of football played = 660 minutes

Total amount of time opponents tied or ahead with possession = 37:21 or 5.7%

Number of games where opponent never had possession when tied or ahead = 4 (SD, CIN, CLE, MIA)

Number of games where opponent never had possession when tied or ahead except for drive after receiving opening kickoff = 4 (NYJ, DAL, WAS, BUF#2)

Number of drives where opponent had possession when tied or ahead = 15 (Avg drive length = 2:30)

Number of drives where opponent scored when tied or ahead = 1 (IND after Brackett int.)

Amount of time IND had possession when tied or ahead = 20:33 (7 drives) or 34.3%

Amount of time PHI had possession when tied or ahead = 2:52 (2 drives) or 4.8%

I think you have to keep this information in mind when evaluating the Patriots. This doesn't happen by chance, it is a philosophy. Jump out quick and make the opponent play from behind. Obviously everyone would like to operate with a lead, but the Pats seem to gameplan with that as an explicit goal.

Since the defense has been getting grief lately, notice that when the Pats D is faced with a tie score or deficit, they generally get the opposing team off the field quickly (lots of 3-and-outs and only 1 drive over 5 minutes all season).

By the way, in the PHI "blueprint" game, the Eagles had 2 drives when tied or with the lead...1:25 and 1:27. The Pats D didn't have their best game, but came up big when it counted.

 

[xmarkd400x]

Total amount of time opponents tied or ahead with possession = 37:21 or 5.7%

Does this mean that opponents have been playing from behind for 94.3% of the time when holding the ball? They are clearly slacking.

 

[Metaphors]

Does this mean that opponents have been playing from behind for 94.3% of the time when holding the ball? They are clearly slacking.

Correct, which is pretty amazing. Meaning they are feeling pressure to keep up ("If we don't score now, next time we see the ball we could be really behind"). That pressure, combined with previous blowout victories already on the coach's mind, can make teams panic and prematurely abandon what they do well. No coach wants to be on the opposite side of half a hundred.

The fact that opponents are feeling this pressure 94% of the time is a good measurement of how brutally efficient the Pats have been at imposing their will in every game.

 

[xmarkd400x]

Correct, which is pretty amazing. Meaning they are feeling pressure to keep up ("If we don't score now, next time we see the ball we could be really behind"). That pressure, combined with previous blowout victories already on the coach's mind, can make teams panic and prematurely abandon what they do well. No coach wants to be on the opposite side of half a hundred.

The fact that opponents are feeling this pressure 94% of the time is a good measurement of how brutally efficient the Pats have been at imposing their will in every game.

I think i speak for all of us when i say only 110% is satisfactory.

 

[SamBam39]

well it's no mystery the dynamics of the game are completely different based on whether you are playing with the lead or playing catch-up. It effects your confidence, your decision making, the risks you take, use of time outs, and your enthusiasm. your more likely to play well when your winning, you just do everything the way your supposed to. you start to make mistakes when your feeling too much urgency. parcells used to like to 'take the air out of the ball' meaning just repeatedly run it, killing the clock, wearing down their defense, and giving them less possessions to try to win, which also makes them start to panic and get that doomed feeling. it's a mental as well as physical game, like all sports.

 

[Metaphors]

well it's no mystery the dynamics of the game are completely different based on whether you are playing with the lead or playing catch-up. It effects your confidence, your decision making, the risks you take, use of time outs, and your enthusiasm. your more likely to play well when your winning, you just do everything the way your supposed to. you start to make mistakes when your feeling too much urgency. parcells used to like to 'take the air out of the ball' meaning just repeatedly run it, killing the clock, wearing down their defense, and giving them less possessions to try to win, which also makes them start to panic and get that doomed feeling. it's a mental as well as physical game, like all sports.

I agree and that is not unique to the Pats (though they are almost maniacal in their pursuit of having the lead at all times). What I wanted to see was how the Pats defense reacts if the rare cases when they are tied or behind. The answer is...amazingly well so far. That clutch execution is key because it perfectly compliments the aggressive nature of the offense.

 

[SamBam39]

I agree and that is not unique to the Pats (though they are almost maniacal in their pursuit of having the lead at all times). What I wanted to see was how the Pats defense reacts if the rare cases when they are tied or behind. The answer is...amazingly well so far. That clutch execution is key because it perfectly compliments the aggressive nature of the offense.

Brady's career has been defined by his ability to have complete calm, confidence, poise and focus in the most pressure filled, must execute now, come from behind at the last minute situations. There's no need to wonder how the pats will do in those moments - we all know they are better than anyone.