Do you realize that had the Pats held Seattle to "merely" a 10 yd gain, Seattle would have run the clock out. So instead of a 17-7 lead going into the half, the game is tied and Seattle gets the ball to open the half
I said the same thing to my family. If the RB was just held to 9 yards - as he should have been, it was an obvious play call - they probably don't even get into FG range. Just a brutal stretch. Seahawk fans will rightfully feel like they gave one away, but the truth is that they should never have had a lead in the first place as much as NE outplayed them for the first 30 minutes. I'll bet VOA, when it comes out, will have NE as ~15% better
At this point I truly think they felt they had bullied another team into submission.
Agreed. For all the talk of playing 60 minutes, they never actually had to. GB rolled over and every other team had given up early in the fourth, if not sooner. Seattle wasn't prepared for NE's mental toughness.
In truth SEA had kinda gotten lucky hitting several high risk plays in high leverage situations.
Absolutely. It worked, and that's a credit to them, but NE was significantly more consistent. If the two teams played indefinitely, NE would likely hit about the same total whereas that would likely Seattle's top limit. There'd be outliers, of course, but I'm talking about the top level that would be regularly reached.
To take it one step further, even Vereen had 11 catches too.
I wouldn't even put Shane into the "one step further", he was every bit as critical as any other receiver not named Edelman. I doubt we'll hear about his hands any time soon.
Immediately after the Int by Butler, was concerned about field position, as there was no room for a kneel down(the phone was ringing with fans yelling, I was telling people not yet).. but Brady's "triple head bob" drew them offsides and the rest was history.. that is really underplayed as to how well coached this team is and how great #12 is.
Absolutely. Everyone is my house was going crazy, but I was still very nervous about getting two kneels in without getting pushed back for a safety. The Patriots just schooled them there - and why not? How much further back can you go if you get called for drawing them offside? After that, it was a done deal and the Seahawks knew it, which is why they threw the equivalent of a temper tantrum. Seeing them act like cheap SOBs was immensely satisfying.
He talked about patience, practice and hard work. Edelman said the same things. They all KNEW they could do this, and they had faith in each other, and in themselves.
Browner didn't come out and say it, but he strongly insinuated that NE had practiced that precise situation (GL, pick route) which is why they were so prepared for it.
One final note: stats related. I don't even recall Revis's sack.
It was a long Wilson scramble that never went beyond the LOS ending when Revis took out his legs by the left sideline.
He didn't have to tackle Harmon (thought that may be possible or a penalty -- probably ref discretion thought it would have only been a 15 yard penalty and not a spot foul) But, he could have gone for the ball. Play to the whistle.
Yup. He took great pains to avoid contact when all Duron had to do was to swipe at the ball and knock it out of play. He could have even gotten a pick if he was lucky enough.
Great game. The better team won.
