The real story: Running Game and Defense

[Lifer]

Im not even going to go into the a win is a win is a win thing, or that, as a Patriot fan who went through 1-15 seasons there is no such thing as an ugly win.

The fact is, the 2 things the media and the fans could even think about having a gripe about was..

1) the myth of no running game
2) Shaky defense vs the Eagles,Ravens and first half vs Steelers.

first of all, they have always been able to run, there yards per carry was fine, they just hadnt needed to much. Today Maroney was featured and he did very well.

secondly, over the ladt 6 quarters the defense has been terrific.

people, they were playing in crappy conditions today, and they won the football game with Brady having his one annual stinkbomb.

they are 14-0 and have clinched homefield. this is a time to feel great.

 

[oldrover]

And how many drops were there out there too? Brady wasn't that bad. Maroney rocked the house, and the D played great. Cheers all the way around, baby! 14-0... hey, Mercury, we're in the neighborhood.

 

[Skree]

And how many drops were there out there too? Brady wasn't that bad. Maroney rocked the house, and the D played great. Cheers all the way around, baby! 14-0... hey, Mercury, we're in the neighborhood.

We ARE in the neighborhood!!! And we're coming to your house you crazy old b4st4rd Mercury!!!

 

[fnordcircle]

I felt really good about that game.

It's not like the offense has been struggling all year or something. So so what the passing game was off, the defense played really damn well and can build off of that performance.

Meanwhile the passing game will get back on track without a doubt. Bummed Tommy didn't get a TD pass in to Moss but whatever.

 

[Seymour93]

Besides one drive (which only ended in a FG), the defense was excellent today. Most of their drives consisted of 5 plays or less. Both AD and Seau had nine tackles each and multiple sacks. It was good to see Seymour making big plays again.

 

[AzPatsFan]

There were a couple of things that I had been hoping to see that had not been evident, before.

Maroney getting a hundred yards after running hard. And second, to
see Seymour start rounding into shape.

We saw both today. The D knocked out two Jet QBs. Seymour crushed one of them, forced a pick and got another sack. he was involved in a couple more pressures too. Sey Monsta was back.

Maroney got a hundred yards the hard way. Right up the gut and without breaking a long one.

But he was close to doing that a couple of times. They will come.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Exactly ! Running game and Defense !! Our old geezers held Pittsburgh and the Jets to 16 points in the last two games. Certainly tightening up the defense is very important with 2 games left. I'm not worried about the offense, this was Brady's usual one crappy game per season. Loved the defense the last 6 quarters ! They even shut down the Jets running game (Washington's 49 yarder not withstanding).

 

[Richter]

I'll say it again, the most important thing in that game was Seymour's resurgence. That game was vintage Seymour, blowing up play after play right at the snap, collapsing the pocket, getting in the backfield and even excelling in backside pursuit when the play went away from him. If he returns to his normal level of dominance, it totally changes the defense for the better.

 

[Lifer]

I'll say it again, the most important thing in that game was Seymour's resurgence. That game was vintage Seymour, blowing up play after play right at the snap, collapsing the pocket, getting in the backfield and even excelling in backside pursuit when the play went away from him. If he returns to his normal level of dominance, it totally changes the defense for the better.

And Seymours absense was THE reason the Patriots did not beat the Colts in the AFCCG and win the SB last year.