I took a beating for saying earlier that BB time management could use improvement, we were lucky Mayo bailed us out today. Could someone tell me how letting the clock run down to :22 seconds left when we had 3 timeouts was a good move? If the skins scored worst case, were probably tied, but it was very possible the skins went for 2.
Can anyone explain how today was good time mangement?
I agree with certain aspects of your premise.
Against the Colts last week, with the team leading big, the wise football move would have been to run the ball and bleed the clock. Instead early in the 4th Q the Pats O went on the field and through 3 passes, took no time off, signalling a general lack of competitive interest in the game. That set the stage for the Colts absurd comeback attempt.
In this game, the Pats had the game in the bag inside the Redskin 5 late in the 4th. All they needed was to go up 2 scores- a FG would have been fine. Run the ball, bleed the clock, if you fail to score the TD kick the FG. Instead, Brady is chucking it around and throws an endzone pick, setting the stage for the end of game hijinx.
The general approach of the Pats Offense raises several issues:
Question 1) Why do the Pats keep passing when running the ball would end the game, even if running fails to pick up a 1st down?
My answer:
i) Brady is running this offense not BOBrien. Brady likes to pass and does not like to run. Brady does what he wants. BOBrien does not have the gumption to say no.
ii) This Offense is addicted to passing stats. Hence Brady's pursuit of the passing yardage record, the TD record in 2007, Gronk's forced near TD record against Indy, the passing yards in week 1 2011 vs Miami.
Conclusion: This team is not "all" about winning anymore. It is about winning and also about statistical legacies and stat accumulation by its Qb.
We are rooting for the Marino-era Miami Dolphins. I loathe this style of football, and I have yet to see any team win a title employing it.