Metaphors
In the Starting Line-Up
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- Oct 10, 2005
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Total amount of football played = 660 minutes
Total amount of time opponents tied or ahead with possession = 37:21 or 5.7%
Number of games where opponent never had possession when tied or ahead = 4 (SD, CIN, CLE, MIA)
Number of games where opponent never had possession when tied or ahead except for drive after receiving opening kickoff = 4 (NYJ, DAL, WAS, BUF#2)
Number of drives where opponent had possession when tied or ahead = 15 (Avg drive length = 2:30)
Number of drives where opponent scored when tied or ahead = 1 (IND after Brackett int.)
Amount of time IND had possession when tied or ahead = 20:33 (7 drives) or 34.3%
Amount of time PHI had possession when tied or ahead = 2:52 (2 drives) or 4.8%
I think you have to keep this information in mind when evaluating the Patriots. This doesn't happen by chance, it is a philosophy. Jump out quick and make the opponent play from behind. Obviously everyone would like to operate with a lead, but the Pats seem to gameplan with that as an explicit goal.
Since the defense has been getting grief lately, notice that when the Pats D is faced with a tie score or deficit, they generally get the opposing team off the field quickly (lots of 3-and-outs and only 1 drive over 5 minutes all season).
By the way, in the PHI "blueprint" game, the Eagles had 2 drives when tied or with the lead...1:25 and 1:27. The Pats D didn't have their best game, but came up big when it counted.
Total amount of time opponents tied or ahead with possession = 37:21 or 5.7%
Number of games where opponent never had possession when tied or ahead = 4 (SD, CIN, CLE, MIA)
Number of games where opponent never had possession when tied or ahead except for drive after receiving opening kickoff = 4 (NYJ, DAL, WAS, BUF#2)
Number of drives where opponent had possession when tied or ahead = 15 (Avg drive length = 2:30)
Number of drives where opponent scored when tied or ahead = 1 (IND after Brackett int.)
Amount of time IND had possession when tied or ahead = 20:33 (7 drives) or 34.3%
Amount of time PHI had possession when tied or ahead = 2:52 (2 drives) or 4.8%
I think you have to keep this information in mind when evaluating the Patriots. This doesn't happen by chance, it is a philosophy. Jump out quick and make the opponent play from behind. Obviously everyone would like to operate with a lead, but the Pats seem to gameplan with that as an explicit goal.
Since the defense has been getting grief lately, notice that when the Pats D is faced with a tie score or deficit, they generally get the opposing team off the field quickly (lots of 3-and-outs and only 1 drive over 5 minutes all season).
By the way, in the PHI "blueprint" game, the Eagles had 2 drives when tied or with the lead...1:25 and 1:27. The Pats D didn't have their best game, but came up big when it counted.