Did the coaching staff intentionally treat MIA like a pre season game?

scott99 said:

Absolutely not, they just sucked today. If they were playing this like a preseason game, they would've just started the backups. They just sucked in every facet of the game, offense, defense, special teams, coaching, everything. You think Belichick wanted to lose HFA ?

Click to expand...

Clearly the game plan was WAYYYYYY different than what we're going to see in the playoffs. I mean, here were their first half plays:

1-10 - S. Jackson run for 3
2-7 - S. Jackson run for -1
3-8 - shovel pass to Bolden for 6
PUNT
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 6
2-4 - S. Jackson run for 2
3-2 - S. Jackson run for 3
1-10 - Bolden run for -1
2-11 - Bolden run for 3
3-8 - Bolden run for 6
PUNT
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 5
2-5 - S. Jackson run for 0 - offensive holding
2-15 - screen pass to S. Jackson for 20
1-10 - Bolden run for 5
2-5 - Bolden run for 10
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 2
2-8 - MIA encroachment
2-3 - S. Jackson run for 2
3-1 - S. Jackson run for 5
1-10 - Bolden run for 1
2-9 - Bolden run for 3
3-6 - short pass incomplete
FIELD GOAL
1-10 - short pass to LaFell for -1
2-11 - incomplete pass - defensive holding
1-10 - White run for 4
2-6 - Bolden run for 4
3-2 - encroachment
1-10 - deep pass incomplete - defensive pass interference
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 1
2-9 - screen pass to White for -5
3-14 - White run for 0
MISSED FIELD GOAL
1-10 - kneel

- 21 runs, 5 passes, 3 penalties (1 offensive, 2 defensive)
- 12 first down plays, 11 of them were basic runs
- 4 third down plays of more than 5 yards, 2 of them were runs
- 2 targets to Gronk
- 1 target to Amendola

If anyone here really thinks that this is how the Patriots, with a healthy Gronk, Edelman, Amendola, and Chandler, will attack teams in the playoffs, you are seriously in need of a lobotomy.

If they play Pittsburgh in the opener, they will spread out the Steelers and run pick plays and short crossing routes and screens and get Edelman and Amendola isolated on Pittsburgh's weak corners. They will bust Gronk down the seams. They will send White out on flare and wheel routes where he's been eating people up when given the chance.

They will get rid of the ball in 2 seconds, and not find their backup receivers covered and have to hold up for 4 seconds, getting Brady killed in the process.

I think that Pittsburgh (6) and KC (5) are the 2 hottest teams right now, and Belichick was ok not having to play them after the bye. He's trying to get guys healthy and get other guys some reps, especially Jackson. Reminds me of losing to Miami in the final game of the season a few years back to play the Jaguars. I believe it was the Flutie drop kick game

ivanvamp said:

Clearly the game plan was WAYYYYYY different than what we're going to see in the playoffs. I mean, here were their first half plays:

1-10 - S. Jackson run for 3
2-7 - S. Jackson run for -1
3-8 - shovel pass to Bolden for 6
PUNT
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 6
2-4 - S. Jackson run for 2
3-2 - S. Jackson run for 3
1-10 - Bolden run for -1
2-11 - Bolden run for 3
3-8 - Bolden run for 6
PUNT
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 5
2-5 - S. Jackson run for 0 - offensive holding
2-15 - screen pass to S. Jackson for 20
1-10 - Bolden run for 5
2-5 - Bolden run for 10
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 2
2-8 - MIA encroachment
2-3 - S. Jackson run for 2
3-1 - S. Jackson run for 5
1-10 - Bolden run for 1
2-9 - Bolden run for 3
3-6 - short pass incomplete
FIELD GOAL
1-10 - short pass to LaFell for -1
2-11 - incomplete pass - defensive holding
1-10 - White run for 4
2-6 - Bolden run for 4
3-2 - encroachment
1-10 - deep pass incomplete - defensive pass interference
1-10 - S. Jackson run for 1
2-9 - screen pass to White for -5
3-14 - White run for 0
MISSED FIELD GOAL
1-10 - kneel

- 21 runs, 5 passes, 3 penalties (1 offensive, 2 defensive)
- 12 first down plays, 11 of them were basic runs
- 4 third down plays of more than 5 yards, 2 of them were runs
- 2 targets to Gronk
- 1 target to Amendola

If anyone here really thinks that this is how the Patriots, with a healthy Gronk, Edelman, Amendola, and Chandler, will attack teams in the playoffs, you are seriously in need of a lobotomy.

If they play Pittsburgh in the opener, they will spread out the Steelers and run pick plays and short crossing routes and screens and get Edelman and Amendola isolated on Pittsburgh's weak corners. They will bust Gronk down the seams. They will send White out on flare and wheel routes where he's been eating people up when given the chance.

They will get rid of the ball in 2 seconds, and not find their backup receivers covered and have to hold up for 4 seconds, getting Brady killed in the process.

Click to expand...

I agree with you 100 percent minus playing Pitt wich isn't a possibility. I just don't understand why they wouldn't want to win this game and ensure that they won't leave Foxboro.

Mack Herron said:

Several good thoughts here:

Why the conservative game plan for the Patriots?

My biggest concern is that the OL has fallen apart and they have had esssentially the same personnel. They were bad last week with Vollmer, so he cannot be expected to fix it. They have gotten progressively worse after Edelman went down, so he will not fix it either. They have increasing breakdowns, both mental and physical. The OL is getting beat by everyone, and as much as our coaches try to fix it, it has only gotten worse. Right now they cannot protect and they cannot open rushing lanes. They get little help from the skill players, and now the QB is hobbling. Hopefully they fix enough to win in 2 weeks.

Click to expand...

Didn't Vollumer only play 5 snaps last week. I truly think Edelman really helps the OL more than people think he will. Allows Brady to quick pass, doesn't allow teams to double team Gronk. LB now have to play for quick inside slant game and stay home and not rush passer like teams have been the last few weeks.