Game Thoughts: The Pats Kansas City BBQed the Chiefs Edition

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2016/01/ups_and_downs_from_pats_win_over_chiefs

Per Jeff Howe, Ninkovich had a huge game, along with the more obvious Chung.

Thanks, Rob. I always enjoy your posts.

I am in awe of this team. Of how they are once again in the AFCCG, despite winning the SB last February (which almost always creates a down year) and a full-scale legal and media war against Brady, and the nation-wide vitriol that grows louder every day. They have risen again.

They are talented, no question. But they are more than that. In a copycat league, they have a unique work ethic, a unique intelligence and a one-of-a-kind spirit. In a parity league where they draft last (if at all!), they have an unrivaled record since the turn of the century.

And here they are again at the place so few teams ever go. Brady and Belichick and their incredible team. Let's enjoy every minute.

Rob0729 said:

LaFell of 2014 is not easily replaced. LaFell of 2015 is. Not all WRs are prima donnas. Many can block just as good as LaFell.

Click to expand...

Lafell of 2014 = healthy.

Lafell of 2015 = battling surgically repaired foot after missing OTAs, Training Camp and 8 weeks of the season.

Context.

luuked said:

I am still waiting for you to tell me why you think Ryan had a bad game. He was beat a few times by great plays (and failures by our pass rush to get Smith down) but played overall good enough to keep the coverage tight on many more plays.

Click to expand...

Not sure which football game you were watching yesterday.

Look, I like Ryan and feel he's been excellent this year, but last night we saw "SB 49 Ryan" and it was not pretty.

Jeff Howe had him at 7-of-8, 92 yards, TD, defensive pass interference, three third-down conversions, one fourth-down conversion. Alex Smith was targeting and picking on him mercilessly (or as mercilessly as Alex Smith without his #1 WR can).

Ups and downs from Pats’ win over Chiefs

Marqui said:

I don't know what game you were watching but Ryan didn't have "tight coverage on many plays".

Click to expand...

Except he had tight coverage on many plays just you didn't notice because the moron announcer duo didn't highlight those as much as the ones he gave up.

It is always the same ******** we have to work through here everytime people complain about DMac. Only the negative plays are highlighted but if he does his job well people won't notice because the plays won't even go there. Similarly, Butler had a great game until KC's final drive and not because of his pass breakups but because he quietly held down whoever he was facing and wasn't even tested.

You'd think Smith would pick on him all the time if he was having a horrible game. Just go watch the tape and you will see that on most catches that Avant made Ryan had tight coverage but Avant either made great plays (like when he stretched out to grab the 4th & 8) or our pass rushers could not get Smith down extending the broken play for 5-6 seconds. Again we are talking about a CB #2 here not a shutdown corner. He is what he is and for that he had an ok game.

shmessy said:

Not sure which football game you were watching yesterday.

Look, I like Ryan and feel he's been excellent this year, but last night we saw "SB 49 Ryan" and it was not pretty.

Jeff Howe had him at 7-of-8, 92 yards, TD, defensive pass interference, three third-down conversions, one fourth-down conversion. Alex Smith was targeting and picking on him mercilessly (or as mercilessly as Alex Smith without his #1 WR can).

Ups and downs from Pats’ win over Chiefs

Click to expand...

Half of the yardage is not his fault but the line players that let Smith miraculously out of their grasp on two third downs leading to long extended plays. Similarly, that fourth down conversion was a stunning catch by Avant where he extended his full body like a soccer goalkeeper and caught the ball with arms outstretched. Just a great play.

Again, I am not expecting shutdown performances from Ryan because that is not who he is. Could it have been better ? Of course, but he didnt blow any coverages, wasn't fooled by any route and was tight on most of the completions. On paper it is not pretty but in reality he was competitive and thats what you want to see from a player like Ryan.