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This was a game where we were in such control so early, that the 2nd half has to seem bit anti-climactic. We didn't get to thirty, and we had to watch another garbage time TD.....and then there are the injuries.
1. Brian Stork hadn't ever played G or T in the NFL before. He did both yesterday. By the start of the 2nd half our OL consisted of Flemming, Kline, Andrews, Mason, and Stork. NONE of these guys has started 10 games in the NFL. 2 were playing out of position. (Stork and Flemming). 2 came into the league as UDFA's (Andrews and Kline), and IIRC the other 3 were picked in the 4th round or lower.
Yet somehow the Pats managed to move the ball with some consistency, though the scoring was obviously not where you'd like it be. As Tom might say, "we left some points out on the field today".
2. It is almost shocking that despite what was going on with additional injuries to Volmer, and Lewis on offense, the only way the Pats were stopped, for the most part, were by their own lack of execution, or a penalty.
3. Usually I would put something like this at the bottom of the post, but it is SO integral to the success of the team and all the positive things we have seen this year; it needs to be near the top. This team GETS IT.
Now what do I mean by that. Usually when someone recovers a fumble, they run out of the pile with the ball held high, basically saying "look at what I did". When Ninko came out of the pile with the ball, he ran immediately over to Alan Branch, because HE knew that Branch was the one who made the play. And what was even more extraordinary, most of the team went over to Branch first. That kind of team reaction is so rare, that even the casual fan has to notice it.
You can also see it in the way both the offense AND defense reacted to Brandon Boldin's first TD catch, or how the team's DC was over there to console Lewis coming off the field. That doesn't usually happen on other teams. It was notable enough that John Lynch mentioned it.
A lot of teams talk about how they are "brothers" and play for eachother, and all the other cliches and platitudes we always hear. But this team, even more than a lot of other close Pats teams we have seen, SHOWS that closeness with their actions on the field and the glimpse we get to see of the locker room. It is the kind of thing that will win you a game or two when adversity hits.
4. The 100+ yds Lafell got today just show how versatile this receiver corps can be. I doubt very much he's where he wants to be right now, but it was better than the last game. As for the rest of the receiving corp, it was business as usual. Brady spread the ball around with 5 guys with more than 4 catches. They get open so often, when a pass fails to be completed, you have to wonder what went wrong.
5. Blout showed that he's the real deal. On most any other team he'd be team's top RB getting 20+ carries per game and a lot more press. Here he's not sure if he'll even be in the game plan next week. Think about it, he played behind the most make shift line in the NFL this year and managed to average 4.4 ypc on 29 carries, and in his way protect Brady and his OL, by giving them a running game that moved the chains and killed the clock. Bravo to Blount.
6. It didn't look like it, but God I hope it's only a strain, but Dion Lewis is SUCH a difference maker. There wasn't a play where he ran or caught the ball in the first half of the game, that he didn't fall forward for an extra couple of yards. He is a lot more than just a 3rd down RB. However the play that just might have been the most impressive, was when he stepped up and just STONED a blitzing RB in his tracks. Lewis can do it all.
Right now I'd be OK with him missing the next 2 months, if we could get him back for the playoffs healthy. It was good that he walked off the field, but so did Brady. Let us pray.
7. If I were nitpicking and wanted to point out things that bothered me a bit, these would be on the list.\
a. I know the Washington OL was good at pass blocking, but outside of the one Jones sack, we didn't have much of a rush today. Even when we blitzed we rarely put pressure on Cousins. We need to get Collins and Sheard back soon.
b. We were 1-3 starting first and goal. That my friends isn't going to cut it in the playoffs, and is the kind of stat that will likely lose you a game against a more formidable opponent. The 3-6 stat in the red zone is probably our worse showing of the year, I bet. Granted a lot of it can be excused to the OL situation, but for whom much is granted, much is expected.....or some such bull ****.
c. On the 3rd and 1 on the GL, I wouldn't have just tried to jam it in again with Blount. Between Gronk, Chandler, and Blount, you have 3 huge targets down there and the best QB in history. Lets use them. In the same vein, Brady predetermines where he's going to some times and then airmails the pass, when I'd rather some times he just would drop back and wait and see what develops. It seems to work out better more times that way.
8. Here is the thing about a well executed successful on-side kick. Even on the best of them, the offense will have the first chance to make the play. So if you are ever going to recover an onside kick, you have to go in knowing that someone on the other side has to screw up if its going to work. That's why the odds are less than 10% to recover one.
The decision to go for this kick works a lot of ways. It was successful. It will now put teams on alert that we will use it, so they have to spend time working on it. Time they won't be working on other things. I may improve a possible return because the front line can't just take off, It can set up counter off side kicks. And it doesn't hinder us from using it again. It was a good time to show it, and on the plus side, it worked.
9. Is it me are are people throwing less at Malcolm Butler as the season goes on. I know Jackson was held to 3 catches for 15 yds today. Also Butler showed us again what a great tackler he is for his size.
The secondary played decently today. The front 7 left them hanging a number of time when blitzes failed to even pressure Cousins, and they responded pretty well. Of course there WERE a number of drops (6?), but all but about 2 were well contested or wouldn't have resulted in first downs even if they were caught.
Patrick Chung continued to play a strong game, where ever he was asked to line up, and Logan Ryan might have been "at the right place, at the right time", but it doesn't explain away the 4 picks he already has this season, and the 11 he has for his career. They can't all be just coincidences. Maybe it's time to admit that Ryan might just be better than we thought. (or if you can't allow yourself to be that charitable, not as bad as you thought.
)
10. You know it is starting to get a little scary to think that some AFC team can finish 14-2 or even 15-1 and still have to play on wild card week end.....and it could be us. And given how the injuries are piling up on us and avoiding the Broncos and Bengals, it looks more and more like it WILL be us.
11. If I were a Washington fan, I'd feel pretty good about this game. I thought Cousins played a better game than the stats showed. He stayed in the pocket, was accurate and made the right decisions of where to throw the ball. If he continues to improve, it looks like they found their QB.
Also their OL protected well against the 2nd best sacking team in the league....and have done so all season. Of course they need more playmakers on defense. That fact that they couldn't sack Brady (or even hit him much) with THAT OL was telling.
12. This might have been the best ref group we've had this year. You hardly knew they were there. I can't tell you how much more enjoyable the game was to watch when it isn't being constantly interrupted by flags, and aggravatingly bad calls.
13. The Packers continue to show their flaws against a good but not great defense in Carolina. Lord help them if they have to win a playoff game outside of Lambeau. They are a different team on the road.
14. I just checked the scores and I'm surprised that the Broncos supposed legendary defense gave up 17 first half points. Since I chose to write this instead of watching the game, I'd be interested to see how they managed it. I will watch most of the 2nd half because I'm almost done.
15. If Lewis is done, I don't want to think that James White will be the one picking up his reps. I have just never liked his game. And you know me, I am rarely negative about a player. However the other day in the section that shows tweets the site is following, there was one showing T. Cadet running a sand dune with some kind of resistance device. We never really saw what Cadet had to offer, though based on what he showed in NO, most felt he was gong to be the leader going into camp to wind up the 3rd down RB this season. I'd like to think if Lewis had to wind up on the IR, Cadet would get a call and signed at least to the PS. He looks healthy now.
16. Summary: It's a credit to the staff and the system the Pats use that they seemingly can overcome injuries so casually. Nothing is more difficult than an in game injury. But we all know that this can't keep happening without eventually effecting the results we see on the field. I have no idea when we can expect Cannon, Jackson and Sheard. I can only pray that we will see Dion Lewis at some point this year.
We are 8-0 and have hardly been tested and it doesn't feel as good as you'd think. What's up with that?
That's it for now. I feel the need to watch the end of the Denver/Indy game.
1. Brian Stork hadn't ever played G or T in the NFL before. He did both yesterday. By the start of the 2nd half our OL consisted of Flemming, Kline, Andrews, Mason, and Stork. NONE of these guys has started 10 games in the NFL. 2 were playing out of position. (Stork and Flemming). 2 came into the league as UDFA's (Andrews and Kline), and IIRC the other 3 were picked in the 4th round or lower.
Yet somehow the Pats managed to move the ball with some consistency, though the scoring was obviously not where you'd like it be. As Tom might say, "we left some points out on the field today".
2. It is almost shocking that despite what was going on with additional injuries to Volmer, and Lewis on offense, the only way the Pats were stopped, for the most part, were by their own lack of execution, or a penalty.
3. Usually I would put something like this at the bottom of the post, but it is SO integral to the success of the team and all the positive things we have seen this year; it needs to be near the top. This team GETS IT.
Now what do I mean by that. Usually when someone recovers a fumble, they run out of the pile with the ball held high, basically saying "look at what I did". When Ninko came out of the pile with the ball, he ran immediately over to Alan Branch, because HE knew that Branch was the one who made the play. And what was even more extraordinary, most of the team went over to Branch first. That kind of team reaction is so rare, that even the casual fan has to notice it.
You can also see it in the way both the offense AND defense reacted to Brandon Boldin's first TD catch, or how the team's DC was over there to console Lewis coming off the field. That doesn't usually happen on other teams. It was notable enough that John Lynch mentioned it.
A lot of teams talk about how they are "brothers" and play for eachother, and all the other cliches and platitudes we always hear. But this team, even more than a lot of other close Pats teams we have seen, SHOWS that closeness with their actions on the field and the glimpse we get to see of the locker room. It is the kind of thing that will win you a game or two when adversity hits.
4. The 100+ yds Lafell got today just show how versatile this receiver corps can be. I doubt very much he's where he wants to be right now, but it was better than the last game. As for the rest of the receiving corp, it was business as usual. Brady spread the ball around with 5 guys with more than 4 catches. They get open so often, when a pass fails to be completed, you have to wonder what went wrong.
5. Blout showed that he's the real deal. On most any other team he'd be team's top RB getting 20+ carries per game and a lot more press. Here he's not sure if he'll even be in the game plan next week. Think about it, he played behind the most make shift line in the NFL this year and managed to average 4.4 ypc on 29 carries, and in his way protect Brady and his OL, by giving them a running game that moved the chains and killed the clock. Bravo to Blount.
6. It didn't look like it, but God I hope it's only a strain, but Dion Lewis is SUCH a difference maker. There wasn't a play where he ran or caught the ball in the first half of the game, that he didn't fall forward for an extra couple of yards. He is a lot more than just a 3rd down RB. However the play that just might have been the most impressive, was when he stepped up and just STONED a blitzing RB in his tracks. Lewis can do it all.
Right now I'd be OK with him missing the next 2 months, if we could get him back for the playoffs healthy. It was good that he walked off the field, but so did Brady. Let us pray.
7. If I were nitpicking and wanted to point out things that bothered me a bit, these would be on the list.\
a. I know the Washington OL was good at pass blocking, but outside of the one Jones sack, we didn't have much of a rush today. Even when we blitzed we rarely put pressure on Cousins. We need to get Collins and Sheard back soon.
b. We were 1-3 starting first and goal. That my friends isn't going to cut it in the playoffs, and is the kind of stat that will likely lose you a game against a more formidable opponent. The 3-6 stat in the red zone is probably our worse showing of the year, I bet. Granted a lot of it can be excused to the OL situation, but for whom much is granted, much is expected.....or some such bull ****.
c. On the 3rd and 1 on the GL, I wouldn't have just tried to jam it in again with Blount. Between Gronk, Chandler, and Blount, you have 3 huge targets down there and the best QB in history. Lets use them. In the same vein, Brady predetermines where he's going to some times and then airmails the pass, when I'd rather some times he just would drop back and wait and see what develops. It seems to work out better more times that way.
8. Here is the thing about a well executed successful on-side kick. Even on the best of them, the offense will have the first chance to make the play. So if you are ever going to recover an onside kick, you have to go in knowing that someone on the other side has to screw up if its going to work. That's why the odds are less than 10% to recover one.
The decision to go for this kick works a lot of ways. It was successful. It will now put teams on alert that we will use it, so they have to spend time working on it. Time they won't be working on other things. I may improve a possible return because the front line can't just take off, It can set up counter off side kicks. And it doesn't hinder us from using it again. It was a good time to show it, and on the plus side, it worked.
9. Is it me are are people throwing less at Malcolm Butler as the season goes on. I know Jackson was held to 3 catches for 15 yds today. Also Butler showed us again what a great tackler he is for his size.
The secondary played decently today. The front 7 left them hanging a number of time when blitzes failed to even pressure Cousins, and they responded pretty well. Of course there WERE a number of drops (6?), but all but about 2 were well contested or wouldn't have resulted in first downs even if they were caught.
Patrick Chung continued to play a strong game, where ever he was asked to line up, and Logan Ryan might have been "at the right place, at the right time", but it doesn't explain away the 4 picks he already has this season, and the 11 he has for his career. They can't all be just coincidences. Maybe it's time to admit that Ryan might just be better than we thought. (or if you can't allow yourself to be that charitable, not as bad as you thought.
)10. You know it is starting to get a little scary to think that some AFC team can finish 14-2 or even 15-1 and still have to play on wild card week end.....and it could be us. And given how the injuries are piling up on us and avoiding the Broncos and Bengals, it looks more and more like it WILL be us.
11. If I were a Washington fan, I'd feel pretty good about this game. I thought Cousins played a better game than the stats showed. He stayed in the pocket, was accurate and made the right decisions of where to throw the ball. If he continues to improve, it looks like they found their QB.
Also their OL protected well against the 2nd best sacking team in the league....and have done so all season. Of course they need more playmakers on defense. That fact that they couldn't sack Brady (or even hit him much) with THAT OL was telling.
12. This might have been the best ref group we've had this year. You hardly knew they were there. I can't tell you how much more enjoyable the game was to watch when it isn't being constantly interrupted by flags, and aggravatingly bad calls.
13. The Packers continue to show their flaws against a good but not great defense in Carolina. Lord help them if they have to win a playoff game outside of Lambeau. They are a different team on the road.
14. I just checked the scores and I'm surprised that the Broncos supposed legendary defense gave up 17 first half points. Since I chose to write this instead of watching the game, I'd be interested to see how they managed it. I will watch most of the 2nd half because I'm almost done.
15. If Lewis is done, I don't want to think that James White will be the one picking up his reps. I have just never liked his game. And you know me, I am rarely negative about a player. However the other day in the section that shows tweets the site is following, there was one showing T. Cadet running a sand dune with some kind of resistance device. We never really saw what Cadet had to offer, though based on what he showed in NO, most felt he was gong to be the leader going into camp to wind up the 3rd down RB this season. I'd like to think if Lewis had to wind up on the IR, Cadet would get a call and signed at least to the PS. He looks healthy now.
16. Summary: It's a credit to the staff and the system the Pats use that they seemingly can overcome injuries so casually. Nothing is more difficult than an in game injury. But we all know that this can't keep happening without eventually effecting the results we see on the field. I have no idea when we can expect Cannon, Jackson and Sheard. I can only pray that we will see Dion Lewis at some point this year.
We are 8-0 and have hardly been tested and it doesn't feel as good as you'd think. What's up with that?
That's it for now. I feel the need to watch the end of the Denver/Indy game.
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