Broncos post game discussion

Brady_to_Moss said:

Den plays SD twice..2 wins there..win vs OAK...tough games vs Pitt and Cincy

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Well, I hope Denver feels that way for three divisional games. SD is one of those Jekyll/Hyde teams that can go out na put up 500 yards on any defense now and then...even though they usually stink.

This game tells you everything you need to know - getting healthy is much more important than home field. When they push supposedly the best team in the AFC into overtime when their biggest weapon by the end of the game is Scott Chandler, and the Broncos had about as good a game on offense as they will have, yeah...heading to Denver with actual NFL quality players on offense is more important than having games at Foxborro but with a JV squad.

I wouldn't mind seeing them drop another 2-3 if it meant getting healthy. Denver played against a practice squad, at home, with every call going their way, and barely squeaked out a win. What is so special about them!

To me the NFL is becoming almost unwatchable when the refs can control the outcome of any close game by simply throwing a flag for defensive holding when defensive backs touch wrs the entire game. They can also call offensive holding at any time to kill a drive at any point they choose. 2nd and 10 becomes 2nd and 20...drive killer. A sack on a teams final drive basically ending the game? Nope, sorry, a defensive back touched a WR, holding...1st down at the 5.

why are so many worrying about denver?..cinn is more of a threat for the #1 seed IMO

sambam94 said:

why are so many worrying about denver?..cinn is more of a threat for the #1 seed IMO

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Pretty sure no one here is worried about them after last night. I'll even go so far as to say that most here would now feel very comfortable even if NE had to travel to Denver in January as long as we get key guys back.

We played poorly but it was the refereeing that tipped the scales.

It took a few years, some injuries, and a different linebacker than the one that was drafted, but 33% of the Pats' defensive snaps last night came from Rutgers players.

sambam94 said:

why are so many worrying about denver?..cinn is more of a threat for the #1 seed IMO

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Most likely, I'll be most worried about whomever wins the game between Denver and Cincinnati. That's 4 weeks away though, and a lot could change by then.

venecol said:

The atrocious officiating aside, it was clear that after the 1st drive, the offense had trouble moving the ball. I think we had like 10 punts last night. Clearly the depleted offensive weapons had a huge impact on the result. Even so, the Pats almost pulled off the win.

I never cared about the 16-0 season so I take this loss given the circumstances as a character building experience for the team. My only concern was for Gronk and HT injuries. Hopefully they are not severe and they can return soon.

I don't expect to see the Pats facing the Broncos in the PO since they will be one and done.

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I understand that the offense is depleted but they play calling was beyond predictable and terrible. They wasted downs for a full quarter and a half, throwing balls at Chandler in double coverage on the sidelines and running crappy RBs who can't even do a decent job of fighting for 1 yd at times. A little more creativity on offense would make a huge difference.

If Amendola plays, this game isn't close.

I stand by that. Brady had no security blanket on offense. Take out those downfield incomplete bombs to Chandler and replace them with short yardage gains with Dola and this is a blowout.

The game was lost when the Pats went super conservative on offense and the harper muffed the punt. The defense was fine until then.

PatsGirl2011 said:

The game was lost when the Pats went super conservative on offense and the harper muffed the punt. The defense was fine until then.

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This also didn't help

Jeff Howe @jeffphowe


Broncos RBs had 15 carries for 43 yards (2.9 yards per carry) before Hightower went down and 15 carries for 132 yards (8.8) and 3 TDs after.

ausbacker said:

Harper ****ed up but I can't help but feel that's a massive mistake on behalf of the coaches. A veteran should have been in for that situation, not a rookie.

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At the very least, he should have been instructed to fair catch.

tombonneau said:

PS Not sure how much is being made of it, but very curious decision by BB to play conservative at end of half with 2 min left. Was hoping someone at BB post-game presser would ask but, um, based on BB spitting fire daggers from his eyes can't blame them for not.

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What's interesting to me is the inconsistency between the conservatism at the end of the first half and the decision to pass to Gronk on 1st down with 2:30 left in the game instead of running the clock to use up the clock. Oh, and Gronk got hurt on that play.

Yeah, they played with no sense of urgency until things got real in the 4th quarter. I guess with the snow they didn't want to risk a fluke play. However, the three and outs kept Denver in the game and until they got the muffed punt.

raduray said:

What's interesting to me is the inconsistency between the conservatism at the end of the first half and the decision to pass to Gronk on 1st down with 2:30 left in the game instead of running the clock to use up the clock. Oh, and Gronk got hurt on that play.

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From the 2 minute warning of the first half till the end of the game our offensive play calling was putrid.

Felger and Mazz have spent the first five minutes (and still talking) how tough NE is and how great they are as a team. They're not even simply talking last night. I'm even more inspired.

With that said (and I thought about making a thread about this), but what about that throw to LaFell right after they lost like 5-7 seconds and were griping about it. Some teams don't make a play like that coming out of a timeout. We did it on the fly. How f*cking awesome is Tom, this team? We did it while missing ALL the weapons on the field at that time except LaFell. Let that sink in.

LivinLovin&Breathin_Brady said:

. A little more creativity on offense would make a huge difference.

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Or any.

Todd Bradley said:

If Amendola plays, this game isn't close.

I stand by that. Brady had no security blanket on offense. Take out those downfield incomplete bombs to Chandler and replace them with short yardage gains with Dola and this is a blowout.

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Our 2 tight ends dropped a quick 14 on man coverage before they switched. Amendola OR Edelman would have eaten that zone for breakfast. Our line was holding up well enough for either of them to have a 10+ catch game.

raduray said:

At the very least, he should have been instructed to fair catch.

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Harper cost the Patriots 7pts. No doubt. He did not step up when he got his chance. He did nothing in the entire game when he had snaps.

As for a post saying why didnt they put a veteran in. Who? Amendola & Edelman has been our returners.