Idle thoughts - Step one - check

By the end of the 2nd drive of the game I was a lot less worried about this game than I was before it started. Outside of the Maclin injury KC had everything going for it for this game. They had an 11 game win streak, playing a team with a lot of questions with injuries, who had lost 4 of its last 6 games, no running attack, and has looked horrible the last month and a half of the season. One team hot as a fire cracker, the other cold as ice. Even on the road you had to like their chances. You didn't have to be a hater to pick KC this week.

Well lets get started, and because we won lets start with all the negative stuff in honor of all the game day thread crazies.

1. ST's - You see the thing is our special teams play has been so good the last few years, anything less that that high level of play seems so discordant. There were 3 plays that immediately come to mind. The first 2 were Ryan Allen's first 2 punts. One was just 41 yds and gave KC the ball on their 30 when it normally would have been inside the 20. The 2nd was another relatively short kick that was compounded by the fact that it was a low linedrive punt that led to an excellent return. The next one that comes to mind was the off sides on the KO that ended up costing us 15 yds of field position on the re-kick.

They weren't horrible omissions, but just not up to the level of play we've come so used to on special teams.

2. 3rd down ratio - According to the stats at NFL.com KC completed 12 of 20 3rd down conversions. I actually didn't think we had done that well. At one point KC was 11 of 14. This of course led to KC's time of possession advantage (37 -22), and the fact the offense had fewer attempts at scoring drives that we would have liked.

This is also frustrating because for so may plays the defense would be playing very well. In fact there were a lot more good plays being done by the defense than bad ones, yet because the 3rd down efficiency was so bad, KC kept on getting chance after chance to move the ball down the field. This of course has to get a lot better as we go on in the playoffs.

3. The running game or lack of it. Now I know that we didn't run the ball and it was mostly by design. It is just that some time over the next 2 games, we are going to need more of a running game than we've show the last 2 months, including last night. and when we DO finally make the run game part of the offense it will need to be more than just marching out there with 2 TE's and run the ball straight up the middle. I have a good feeling about Stephan Jackson.

4. The injuries - Damned it, it is like the gift that keeps on giving. Last night Hightower, Jones, Collins and Mayo all go out during the game and only Hightower made it back. I mean I'm watching the game and the next thing I know instead of Hightower, Mayo and Collins, I'm watching Jonathan Freeney, Darius Flemming and freakin' Dakota Watson on Defense I mean LITERALLY the who' s who of my defense is gone almost without comment. I mean it's nice to have Edelman, DA, and Gronk back and effective, but if is THIS the price we have to pay?

The worst thing about it is that we will have to agonize about it all this week and won't know who we will have back until the game starts, and even those we get back, we'll never know how much of them we got back. Now only Mayo left the field, but it can't be good, and GOD am I tired of it.

5. And no conversation about negative things can leave out Dan Fouts and Ian Eagle. I can't believe this is one of the top 2 groups that CBS can bring out. Not only were they grossly inaccurate on several occasions, they were in the end whining like Jet fans when the Pats had a good break FINALLY go their way for a change. There are only 4 games this week and I'm hard pressed to think this is the best they can do for the what is supposedly the best week end of football of the year. Shame on them.

Positive stuff

6. To my mind Brady missed 2 really open throws which helped end drives, but other than that he was his usually efficient self. He seemed really confident and clear where the ball was going and aggressive with his decisions. Just another typically great job by the GOAT. In describing his excitement with his near TD run with Josh, Mike Reiss, couldn't believe Brady was 38 and in his 16th year in the league. His excitement was near childlike in its enthusiasm, according to Reiss.

7. The offense is back. It is certainly not at 100%, but far ahead of what we've seen the last 6 weeks. For the first time in months there seemed to be a rhythm and an expectation that first downs will be made on a regular basis. Like I said in my preamble, by the end of the 2nd drive, I thought it was clear that the only thing that was going to stop the Pats offense, was the Pats offense, either by drops, missed throws, or penalties. IIRC KC only stopped 2 drives without the Pats direct aid and that might be stretching it.

We need to begin limit the drops and add more of a running game, and we be on our way to some semblance of the offense we have come to expect. BTW- remember KC had allowed just 12 pts per game over the last 11 games with only one team managing to get as many as 20 points. We got 27 and left more than a few on the field with our own mistakes. This was a good defense with "playmakers at every level", or so we were told all week long. .

8. Man, Malcom Brown is having a VERY good rookie year that is going mostly unnoticed. He is making far more of an impact as a rookie than Wilfolk and Warren did, in fact only Richard Seymour had a more important rookie year. Yet he rarely gets any mention from the media, or us for that matter.\

9. Patrick Chung is the freakin man. I remember hearing before the game that the Pats were holding TE's to the 2nd lowest yards per game of any team in the league ( I think ironically KC was #1) Well Travis Kelce came into the game off a 146 yd game vs Houston, and was held to just 26 yd on 6 catches. Baby Gronk was made to keep his diapers on, and Chung was a big part of it. The guy has been huge all year. He should have gotten more all pro talk. I guess he's still paying for the bad year with Philly and his last year with the Pats in his first go around. Whatever he and the Pats are doing this time around is working because he's been very good for the last 2 seasons.

Some general observations

10. Alex Smith's stats will seen as pretty average, and there will be more talk about the fact, "you can never win with Alex Smith". But the fact is that the ONLY reason KC was as close as they were was because of Smith. Some of his escapes, runs and throws in this game were remarkable. Its not like a lot of those 3rd down conversions were to wide open guys. A lot of those throw had to be perfect to be completed. He was clutch all game. I'm not sure you'd call him "elite", but the fact is there are about 20-25 teams in the league that would be better off having Alex Smith as their QB.

11. By and large I thought the refs did a good job of staying out of the way in this game. My biggest fear was that after they missed the PI in the end zone, they'd call a mickey mouse PI against us. They didn't. The call against Ryan was overt PI and had to be called. These guys did a much better job controlling the game without a ton of flags. Much better than the Packer/Az crew.

12. Denver or Pittsburgh? Well, I know it would be nice to be home, but I think the easiest road back to the Superbowl is through Peyton Manning. I watched our pass rush frustrated by the need to keep Smith in the pocket and not necessarily on his back. That won't be a factor against Manning. They would FINALLY get a chance to tee off and go after someone they KNOW will be there, when the get there. The Denver Defense is very good, but now I'm convinced that this offense is good enough to move the ball even against them. They didn't have much of a problem with it without Edelman in the last meeting until Gronk went down and the officials decided to play a role in deciding the game....and the muffed punt.

I just think they'd be an easier fit that Pittsburgh with a healthier Rothlessburger, and ABrown back playing along with the rest of their receiving corps. I know that playing at home would help. I know that the Steeler defense isn't nearly as good as the Denver D. But a great QB can always keep their team in a game and Pittsburgh is the only team with a great QB

13. That being said, it is much easier to run this kind of fast paced spread passing offense when you are at home and communications aren't an issue. They proved in Buffalo that that it CAN be done, but it is a lot harder.

14. Those who might be worried the league might suspend DA for his hit, shouldn't. If they suspended him, they'd have to also suspend Larry Fitzgerald for doing essentially the same thing in the Packer game, and we KNOW that isn't going to happen

15. How spoiled are we? How unreasonable have our expectations become? Well I couldn't help think about this when Devin McCourty came to the podium in the post game show. This is Devin's 6th straight time in the playoffs. It's his 5th straight AFCCG, including 2 superbowl appearances. Meanwhile his twin brother has been in the league a year longer and has never played in a single playoff game. That is why McCourty made a special point to point out how HARD it is to get to this point, and why they don't take it for granted...and shouldn't.

I am worried they are going to suspend Amendola because:

1. He's a Patriot.
2. I'm a worrier, I'm literally sitting here shaking with anxiety for next weeks title game, I don't even know who the opponent is.

I was at the game today, Ken and your post is the first one I've responded to since I got home. Perhaps this is because you are a real Patriots FAN like there used to be here in good numbers until the scary mary chicken littles infested this board with their constant negativity,idiotic criticisms and whiny, egotistical "insights".

It was a great game to watch and even better to see the team play cohesively with good tempo and energy. You certainly see a lot and expound on these things extremely well. I appreciate it. Sometimes I think I'M going crazy when I read the avalanche of despair that passes for fandom on this board these days.

Great job, Ken, as usual.

Yes, it wasn't a game that looked good on the stat sheet, with KC having a 38-22 TOP advantage, a 27-21 first down advantage, and a total yardage advantage. In the end we know that stats can be misleading at times, and this is a good example.

All I'm going to root for today is that both teams beat the hell out of each other. Let the chips fall where they may. There are positives and negatives to playing either team.

I've certainly been whining about the lack of a running game for awhile now, and I agree that we will certainly need to find some semblance of one somewhere in order to win 2 more games vs. top notch opponents, either which are likely to occur at Gillette stadium. I can't say that I necessarily feel good about Steven Jackson leading us like you do, though. Hope I'm wrong.

No matter who we face, we'll need some positive news on the injury front in order to pressure the QB in the next round. The likes of Freeny, Watson, and Fleming aren't going to cut it.

It's awesome to see the improvement of our CB3 situation with Coleman back there instead of Johnson. What a major improvement! Now if Logan Ryan could just get out of his slump.

FreeCourtroomBrady said:

I am worried they are going to suspend Amendola because:

1. He's a Patriot.
2. I'm a worrier, I'm literally sitting here shaking with anxiety for next weeks title game, I don't even know who the opponent is.

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Any talk of an Amendola suspension is absurd. He'll receive the usual type of fine that occurs for these infractions.

I literally wouldn't spend one more second worrying about that scenario if I were you.

On one of Allen's questionable punts, he had to reach well over his head to get the snap. Not Cardona's finest moment.

Of course, if that wasn't the first postseason play of Cardona's career, it was damn close.

supafly said:

Any talk of an Amendola suspension is absurd. He'll receive the usual type of fine that occurs for these infractions.

I literally wouldn't spend one more second worrying about that scenario if I were you.

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You're right, but if you could just get me some Delta D... It might help..

supafly said:

Great job, Ken, as usual.

Yes, it wasn't a game that looked good on the stat sheet, with KC having a 38-22 TOP advantage, a 27-21 first down advantage, and a total yardage advantage. In the end we know that stats can be misleading at times, and this is a good example.

All I'm going to root for today is that both teams beat the hell out of each other. Let the chips fall where they may. There are positives and negatives to playing either team.

I've certainly been whining about the lack of a running game for awhile now, and I agree that we will certainly need to find some semblance of one somewhere in order to win 2 more games vs. top notch opponents, either which are likely to occur at Gillette stadium. I can't say that I necessarily feel good about Steven Jackson leading us like you do, though. Hope I'm wrong.

No matter who we face, we'll need some positive news on the injury front in order to pressure the QB in the next round. The likes of Freeny, Watson, and Fleming aren't going to cut it.

It's awesome to see the improvement of our CB3 situation with Coleman back there instead of Johnson. What a major improvement! Now if Logan Ryan could just get out of his slump.

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I agree, Logan Ryan needs to play better. He was a weak link out there today. He may well have his opportunity for a second go at Demaryius Thomas. He did very well several weeks ago in that assignment.

Kdo5 said:

I agree, Logan Ryan needs to play better. He was a weak link out there today. He may well have his opportunity for a second go at Demaryius Thomas. He did very well several weeks ago in that assignment.

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He did, but it's hard for me to imagine him having anything close to that good of a game against someone like Thomas again. I think that was a great showing from Ryan, but he's been trending downward since then.

He has definitely been the weak link to our secondary over the past several games. That said, it's great to see Coleman back at the CB3 spot again, as that's a huge improvement and possibly a sign of good things to come for our CB future, depth-wise.

Agree on Malcolm Brown, for 300+ pounder he can chase and tackle RB. I think he is the biggest steal in 2015 draft.
I am little worried about mobile QBs and our D. Butler and Ryan had not the best day, who is WR Wilson? He smoked Butler on few plays.
Otherwise i dont see lack of run offense a problem. They ll get to it when they will need it. The onlly thing that i didnt like was play 7min till end when chiefs didnt make 4down and pats got the ball. they were on half field and they were 2&4 and they threw it on all attempts. They should run on second attempt.

Chung had a huge game. He has really become a key defensive guy.

Butler had one nice PBU but looked off his game otherwise.

Smith is really a problem on 3rd down. He'd be a huge star if he had Rogers' long ball.

patfanken said:

By the end of the 2nd drive of the game I was a lot less worried about this game than I was before it started. Outside of the Maclin injury KC had everything going for it for this game. They had an 11 game win streak, playing a team with a lot of questions with injuries, who had lost 4 of its last 6 games, no running attack, and has looked horrible the last month and a half of the season. One team hot as a fire cracker, the other cold as ice. Even on the road you had to like their chances. You didn't have to be a hater to pick KC this week.

Well lets get started, and because we won lets start with all the negative stuff in honor of all the game day thread crazies.

1. ST's - You see the thing is our special teams play has been so good the last few years, anything less that that high level of play seems so discordant. There were 3 plays that immediately come to mind. The first 2 were Ryan Allen's first 2 punts. One was just 41 yds and gave KC the ball on their 30 when it normally would have been inside the 20. The 2nd was another relatively short kick that was compounded by the fact that it was a low linedrive punt that led to an excellent return. The next one that comes to mind was the off sides on the KO that ended up costing us 15 yds of field position on the re-kick.

They weren't horrible omissions, but just not up to the level of play we've come so used to on special teams.

2. 3rd down ratio - According to the stats at NFL.com KC completed 12 of 20 3rd down conversions. I actually didn't think we had done that well. At one point KC was 11 of 14. This of course led to KC's time of possession advantage (37 -22), and the fact the offense had fewer attempts at scoring drives that we would have liked.

This is also frustrating because for so may plays the defense would be playing very well. In fact there were a lot more good plays being done by the defense than bad ones, yet because the 3rd down efficiency was so bad, KC kept on getting chance after chance to move the ball down the field. This of course has to get a lot better as we go on in the playoffs.

3. The running game or lack of it. Now I know that we didn't run the ball and it was mostly by design. It is just that some time over the next 2 games, we are going to need more of a running game than we've show the last 2 months, including last night. and when we DO finally make the run game part of the offense it will need to be more than just marching out there with 2 TE's and run the ball straight up the middle. I have a good feeling about Stephan Jackson.

4. The injuries - Damned it, it is like the gift that keeps on giving. Last night Hightower, Jones, Collins and Mayo all go out during the game and only Hightower made it back. I mean I'm watching the game and the next thing I know instead of Hightower, Mayo and Collins, I'm watching Jonathan Freeney, Darius Flemming and freakin' Dakota Watson on Defense I mean LITERALLY the who' s who of my defense is gone almost without comment. I mean it's nice to have Edelman, DA, and Gronk back and effective, but if is THIS the price we have to pay?

The worst thing about it is that we will have to agonize about it all this week and won't know who we will have back until the game starts, and even those we get back, we'll never know how much of them we got back. Now only Mayo left the field, but it can't be good, and GOD am I tired of it.

5. And no conversation about negative things can leave out Dan Fouts and Ian Eagle. I can't believe this is one of the top 2 groups that CBS can bring out. Not only were they grossly inaccurate on several occasions, they were in the end whining like Jet fans when the Pats had a good break FINALLY go their way for a change. There are only 4 games this week and I'm hard pressed to think this is the best they can do for the what is supposedly the best week end of football of the year. Shame on them.

Positive stuff

6. To my mind Brady missed 2 really open throws which helped end drives, but other than that he was his usually efficient self. He seemed really confident and clear where the ball was going and aggressive with his decisions. Just another typically great job by the GOAT. In describing his excitement with his near TD run with Josh, Mike Reiss, couldn't believe Brady was 38 and in his 16th year in the league. His excitement was near childlike in its enthusiasm, according to Reiss.

7. The offense is back. It is certainly not at 100%, but far ahead of what we've seen the last 6 weeks. For the first time in months there seemed to be a rhythm and an expectation that first downs will be made on a regular basis. Like I said in my preamble, by the end of the 2nd drive, I thought it was clear that the only thing that was going to stop the Pats offense, was the Pats offense, either by drops, missed throws, or penalties. IIRC KC only stopped 2 drives without the Pats direct aid and that might be stretching it.

We need to begin limit the drops and add more of a running game, and we be on our way to some semblance of the offense we have come to expect. BTW- remember KC had allowed just 12 pts per game over the last 11 games with only one team managing to get as many as 20 points. This was a good defense with "playmakers at every level", or so we were told all week long. .

8. Man, Malcom Brown is having a VERY good rookie year that is going mostly unnoticed. He is making far more of an impact as a rookie than Wilfolk and Warren did, in fact only Richard Seymour had a more important rookie year. Yet he rarely gets any mention from the media, or us for that matter.\

9. Patrick Chung is the freakin man. I remember hearing before the game that the Pats were holding TE's to the 2nd lowest yards per game of any team in the league ( I think ironically KC was #1) Well Travis Kelce came into the game off a 146 yd game vs Houston, and was held to just 26 yd on 6 catches. Baby Gronk was made to keep his diapers on, and Chung was a big part of it. The guy has been huge all year. He should have gotten more all pro talk. I guess he's still paying for the bad year with Philly and his last year with the Pats in his first go around. Whatever he and the Pats are doing this time around is working because he's been very good for the last 2 seasons.

Some general observations

10. Alex Smith's stats will seen as pretty average, and there will be more talk about the fact, "you can never win with Alex Smith". But the fact is that the ONLY reason KC was as close as they were was because of Smith. Some of his escapes, runs and throws in this game were remarkable. Its not like a lot of those 3rd down conversions were to wide open guys. A lot of those throw had to be perfect to be completed. He was clutch all game. I'm not sure you'd call him "elite", but the fact is there are about 20-25 teams in the league that would be better off having Alex Smith as their QB.

11. By and large I thought the refs did a good job of staying out of the way in this game. My biggest fear was that after they missed the PI in the end zone, they'd call a mickey mouse PI against us. They didn't. The call against Ryan was overt PI and had to be called. These guys did a much better job controlling the game without a ton of flags. Much better than the Packer/Az crew.

12. Denver or Pittsburgh? Well, I know it would be nice to be home, but I think the easiest road back to the Superbowl is through Peyton Manning. I watched our pass rush frustrated by the need to keep Smith in the pocket and not necessarily on his back. That won't be a factor against Manning. They would FINALLY get a chance to tee off and go after someone they KNOW will be there, when the get there. The Denver Defense is very good, but now I'm convinced that this offense is good enough to move the ball even against them. They didn't have much of a problem with it without Edelman in the last meeting until Gronk went down and the officials decided to play a role in deciding the game....and the muffed punt.

I just think they'd be an easier fit that Pittsburgh with a healthier Rothlessburger, and ABrown back playing along with the rest of their receiving corps. I know that playing at home would help. I know that the Steeler defense isn't nearly as good as the Denver D. But a great QB can always keep their team in a game and Pittsburgh is the only team with a great QB

13. That being said, it is much easier to run this kind of fast paced spread passing offense when you are at home and communications aren't an issue. They proved in Buffalo that that it CAN be done, but it is a lot harder.

14. Those who might be worried the league might suspend DA for his hit, shouldn't. If they suspended him, they'd have to also suspend Larry Fitzgerald for doing essentially the same thing in the Packer game, and we KNOW that isn't going to happen

15. How spoiled are we? How unreasonable have our expectations become? Well I couldn't help think about this when Devin McCourty came to the podium in the post game show. This is Devin's 6th straight time in the playoffs. It's his 5th straight AFCCG, including 2 superbowl appearances. Meanwhile his twin brother has been in the league a year longer and has never played in a single playoff game. That is why McCourty made a special point to point out how HARD it is to get to this point, and why they don't take it for granted...and shouldn't.

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You're like a much smarter, more knowledgeable, more articulate, more polite me.

Wonderful article, Patfanken.

Great post as usual... one of the highlights of the day after.

IMO Brady should have gotten more play...

From my Barcolounger I saw a 38 year old QB possessed, who is continuing his "F... the NFL" tour, sometimes when I watch him he seems content with the play of the team.. last night he was in a lot of teammates faces, and seemed to be completely in sync with Josh and the rest of the team.. what I did not get were some of the lob passes... due to pass rushers, intended or just bad throws??..

The "clock management" of KC was abysmal, not sure if many other fans would notice that as when we watch other games most teams pale in comparison to what we are used to.. that hallmark is something we are used to.

Later on today we will see who the next opponent is, Big Ben' s team or Peyton*s team.. without regard for the next foe.. they will be ready. The only thing I am concerned about is Jamie Collins, as when he was not in the line up KC seemed to play a lot better.

patfanken said:

11. By and large I thought the refs did a good job of staying out of the way in this game. My biggest fear was that after they missed the PI in the end zone, they'd call a mickey mouse PI against us. They didn't. The call against Ryan was overt PI and had to be called. These guys did a much better job controlling the game without a ton of flags. Much better than the Packer/Az crew

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I agree completely on this. I thought these refs "let them play". Relative to the average Pats games this season, this was one of the best. For the most part, consistent play calling.

1. Overall I thought the refs did a good job of letting them play. However the no DPI in the EZ on Peters would have been a penalty pre-2004. I also thought they let the KC OL get away with many outright tackles on our DL. I'll still take it over the over officiated games. The game had flow and was enjoyable to watch.

2. Collins, Mayo and Jones is worrisome. Obviously Collins is the one we cannot live without. However if we play Denver I think I'd rather have Mayo than Jones. Stopping their run and putting the game on Manning will be more important than a pass rush. If we play Pitt I'd rather have Jones to get after the rapist.

3. JE showed both his rust and his value.

4. Hats off to the OL and the coaches. That was better than I had prayed for. Two more games like that and they are world champs. Given the stretch run I was thinking their upside was 75% of what they showed yesterday.

5. I really like Kelce as a player and wanted the Pats to take him when he came out. That said he should embrace being called Baby Gronk because yesterday the difference was glaring.

6. Gronkowski most TD's by a TE in NFL history.

7. The drive after the Patriots held KC on downs and NE went 3 and out I simply wanted to slap McDaniels. You hit JE for 6 setting up 2nd and 4. Why not run the ball at least once their to run some clock? WTF? They made it so much harder on themselves than it had to be.

8. Andy Reid has to be the worst clock management coach EVER. BTW the Eagles SB and this game I don't think I've ever seen two worse scoring drives. They burnt almost 6 minutes and killed their chances.

9. My god were they lucky on the ricochet catch by DA. That had pick 6 tie game written all over it. The Pats live and die with plays like that but I still would have liked a draw or swing pass to White.

supafly said:

Now if Logan Ryan could just get out of his slump.

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I'm not sure what the expectation is for CB2? The game plan was to eliminate Kelce (check), stay in the 4-2-5 vice a run-oriented base defense (check), keep Smith in the pocket (semi-check) and go 1 on 1 on the WRs. In that scenario, 1-on-1, the CBs are going to give up catches - especially when Smith had often 3-5 seconds to throw (which means if he didn't get rid of it quickly - the CBs actually had good coverage on reads 1 and 2).

Against a non-mobile QB - yesterday's coverage would have led to a few sacks and as it was Smith had to squeeze the ball into some tight spaces and Avant had to make not one but at least three spectacular catches.

I swear the expectations are that all Pats CBs hold WRs to 1-9 catches for 8 yards. That NFL just does not exist (nor did it ever frankly).

Lastly, most of the year Ryan's had the benefit of help - the last few games - he hasn't. That makes a huge perception difference to the fans on how he's playing as well. Now that McCourty is nearer to 100% - and against likely D. Thomas next week we'll probably witness a return to that type game plan where Ryan can thrive.

Excellent work as usual, Patfanken. A couple of points:

When the Pats did run against the Chiefs, Steven Jackson gained yards and hit the hole with authority. I don't think he's got break away speed, but if the Pats play the Steelers, he could easily rack up 70+ yards. The Steelers gave up 3.8 yards/carry in 2015.

CBS is showing two playoff games this weekend, and picking Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts for the KC-New England game was a bad decision. Fouts clearly was rooting for the KC upset, and both failed to articulate the unbelievably bad clock management before the two-minute warning at the end of the game. Brady-Belichick-McDaniels would have run triple the number of plays.

The best executed play of the game was the onsides kick scheme to end the game. The blocking was absolutely perfect. Gronkowski could have gotten up and run for more yards if he wanted. I can't remember a better executed onsides kick reception. The ball cooperated for sure. The Patriots' preparation still amazes me.

As for Pittsburgh or Denver? I definitely want to see Brady carve up that Steelers defense. They hardly get in the way. The pass rushers will be able to get to Big Ben, and he won't have the arm strength to fling it on the run when he breaks the pocket. The game this afternoon will be interesting to see which QB can get anything done in the cold, especially in the second half after they've been pounded a few times.

1) Coleman is the 2015/2016 Malcolm Butler. This guy has quietly and CONSISTENTLY been performing at a high level. He has been a revelation. With Darryl Roberts and Tarrel Brown healthy next TC this secondary is going to be young, deep and talented. I wouldn't agree, but some might be tempted to ask whether we could get our 1st rounder back in exchange for our Pro Bowler Butler before having to shell out the big bucks against the cap.

2) Our DL got pushed around last night in the run game for the first 3 quarters before adjusting. #34 and #35 were running at least 3-4 yards straight ahead before first contact. They are going to have to clean that up for the next game. Andy Reid crapped the bed in more ways than just his and Smith's ridiculous end of game clock management. How in the world did they decide to have Alex Smith of all people throw 50 times when their running game was very successful? The terrible game management needs to be talked about in KC. Thank goodness we're onto the AFCCG.

Felt like Butler just needed a breather the dude was gassed. Love him.

Joker said:

I was at the game today, Ken and your post is the first one I've responded to since I got home. Perhaps this is because you are a real Patriots FAN like there used to be here in good numbers until the scary mary chicken littles infested this board with their constant negativity,idiotic criticisms and whiny, egotistical "insights".

It was a great game to watch and even better to see the team play cohesively with good tempo and energy. You certainly see a lot and expound on these things extremely well. I appreciate it. Sometimes I think I'M going crazy when I read the avalanche of despair that passes for fandom on this board these days.

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Brother, That's one of the main reasons I stay off this site,and especially any in-game threads, after the game starts. I'd like to think that it was simply a case of alcohol-fueled spewing, but I could easily be convinced that it's the result of anti-Patriot trolls showing up to hassle all the regular fans.

I love this site, but the mods really need to do something about all those freakin' game-day trolls and weeping Nancy boys that only show up on game day.