Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

Point differential for each game (from 1st to last)

24
24
31
20
17
21
21
45
4
46
3
3
21
10
21
3
11
9
-3


In the first half, the pats were crushing every team; and by the 2nd q the games were over.
In the second half; they crushed some teams, but in half the games the opposing team was in the game going into the 4th.


Compare that with the giants, who obviously didn't play up to their potential during stretches in the season, then went into overdrive from week 17.


Should BB allow the team to not go 100% intense in the first 5 weeks or so next season; then ramp up in the 2nd half? Even going 75% (in terms of mental prep) we could probably still go 6-2 in the first 8. Is keeping the focus for 22 weeks (plus training camp) just too long (especially when, as a player, they don't want to be the one responsible for the end of the streak)?

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

I don't think you can tell your team to hold back at all. It just doesn't work that way. I do believe that the stress of the possible 19-0, along with SpyGate, did ultimately take some steam away from the Pats. During the season, I remember thinking that I would not be all that upset if they lost to Pittsburgh. I didn't want the 19-0 possibility to be a distraction. Maybe I'm wrong, but the focus just didn't seem to be there yesterday.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

I agree that during game time, you cant tell a team to hold back. But in week prep, you can tell them to relax, go out instead of studying.

Now, BB has a history of overachieving; so what he does obviously works. It just didn't work this time. And the one difference is this time, I think from the week of the colts onward, the team didn't really take a break in terms of stress level.
Maybe it wasn't the stress; maybe they got overconfident and did relax; or maybe the giants pass rushers just all played the games of their lives on the right night and there's nothing you can do about it.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

I also think we just tried to do it mostly on talent. Our schemes seemed gameplans seemed to get less complex and more predictable as the year went on. NOT the opposite, which is how it should work.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

I honestly think that the odds were against the Pats last night. They had to lose eventually. Going 19-0 is impossible and will probably never be done. Last night was the closest we'll ever see.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

ya know i think in the end, it was all about blueprints

all year i kept seeing so and so just provided the blueprint

but i think in the end, the giants that i saw sunday, looked like they were trying to out new england, new england if that makes sense

they're 2 very different teams but , they were using EVERYONE, and playing tougher

in the end, like any close game, a ball bounces a different way, a pass isn't int'd that's a gift, and history is changed.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

our team definitely was uptight last nite. the disgust on brady's face after losing a coin toss told it all. and even with 35 secs left they didnt get two plays to get in FG range. they lost the air out of them after the burress TD. if they were not so heavily favored to win or wouldve been looser they wouldve gotten in FG range.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

There was a mental wear down to some degree...also, the Giants were looser..and had NOTHINg at all to lose..so they could do as they did...doing all the things they needed to win. THAT was their strategy and they accomplished that. I also think the Patriots had few games with REALLY physical opponents like the Giants...and I do not think they were as ready for that as tehy could have been. And the fact that the officials let a lot go..did not help...and that is NOT blaming them at all..just talking about the leeway officials have in the tenure of the game..allowing more was not at all to teh Pats advantage.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

Agreed. The officials did NOT cost them the game, but how many times were the Giants clearly seen holding Seymour and AD? Seemed to be an inordinate amount. They clearly put the whistles away for this game.

Re: Did the team try too hard for too long?
 

yes...and I think the Pats O line was not prepared for that..so they did not hold like the Giants did..at least from what i saw..I saw lots of penalties..NOT called...I think if it was the other way with a lot called or allowed it may have been different.