There are two realities with respect to the Patriots' offense.
1. They are an historically great regular season scoring machine. Last two seasons:
2010: 518 points (32.4/g) - #10 all-time
2011: 513 points (32.1/g) - #12 all-time
This isn't even counting 2007 where they scored 589 (36.8/g), which, of course, was the #1 offense all-time.
Moreover, consider how consistent this team is in putting up a lot of points:
2010:
- 14 out of 16 games with 20+ points
- 11 out of 16 games with 30+ points
- 8 out of 16 games with 35+ points
2011:
- 15 out of 16 games with 20+ points
- 13 out of 16 games with 30+ points
- 6 out of 16 games with 35+ points
Totals:
- 29 out of 32 games with 20+ points (90.6%)
- 24 out of 32 games with 30+ points (75.0%)
- 14 out of 32 games with 35+ points (43.8%)
That is unbelievably great and consistent production.
HOWEVER, consider their playoff performances. Granted, their playoff games are typically against tougher teams, but still.
Last 3 seasons:
- 14 pts vs. Bal
- 21 pts vs. NYJ
- 45 pts vs. Den
- 23 pts vs. Bal
- 17 pts vs. NYG
So out of their last 5 playoff games, they've scored 20+ in 3 of the 5. They've scored 24+ points just *once* in five games. They are averaging 24.0 ppg in the playoffs, and that is really skewed by that one outburst.
In other words, come playoff time, they consistently underperform offensively.
Now, there are several possible reasons for that:
(1) They are playing tougher defenses.
(2) They are playing better offenses, that keep their own D on the field longer, and thus keep the Pats' offense off the field more than usual (both in terms of time and in terms of # of possessions).
(3) Playcalling gets much more predictable.
(4) The players make more mistakes.
I don't know how much "credit" each of these possible causes should get. I'm sure it's a combination of things. But whatever the reason(s), these historically great offenses seriously underperform come playoff time, and it's killing them.