Post Game Thread Texans @ Pats

[mgteich]

Harris hasn't been able to cover any ground for a few years now. He's still a viable run-stopper, but I think the game has kinda moved past allowing for slow MLBs. Was a little surprised when the Pats signed him, but there's nothing wrong with kicking the tires on a vet and finding out he has nothing left. When Belichick elected to go with Cassius Marsh a few days after signing him in week 1, I think that kinda implicitly meant that Harris has no real role here.

Is it relevant that they play two different positions?

 

[Ring 6]

Against most teams you kick the FG there and trust your elite defense. But Brady is different. When you have the Pats on the ropes, you MUST go for the jug ular when you have the chance.

Brady will almost always make you pay for playing it conservatively.

But if you don't take the 3 Brady only needs a FG to beat you.

 

[supafly]

But if you don't take the 3 Brady only needs a FG to beat you.

I'm surprised that more posters aren't pointing this out. I suppose the argument is that it may have been easier to gain a yard and continue to eat clock than it would've been to stop Brady from scoring a TD.

The fact that it's even a debate really highlights how exceptional he is, but I think you always choose to kick the FG, there.

 

[Deus Irae]

Against most teams you kick the FG there and trust your elite defense. But Brady is different. When you have the Pats on the ropes, you MUST go for the jug ular when you have the chance.

Brady will almost always make you pay for playing it conservatively.

Your post is what I heard from pretty much every single pundit, be it Patriots media or media from outside the region. Brady really is living in their heads, and rightfully so.

 

[luuked]

But if you don't take the 3 Brady only needs a FG to beat you.

Or you win the game with another first down or TD.

It boils down to what situation you have more trust in. Your offense to gain a yard on a 4th & short or your expensive defense to stop the same Patriots offense that had multiple 3 & outs in a row until that point. I can see why BoB believed that going up 5 might be the safer bet but that is the problem facing a team like the Patriots. They can pull off a scoring drive at any point out of nowhere.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm surprised that more posters aren't pointing this out. I suppose the argument is that it may have been easier to gain a yard and continue to eat clock than it would've been to stop Brady from scoring a TD.

The fact that it's even a debate really highlights how exceptional he is, but I think you always choose to kick the FG, there.

By the way, this is, with obvious modifications, similar to the BB/Peyton 4th down situation from years back.

 

[DarrylS]

Ugly win, lousy defensive scheme/effort...

Too much responsibility on #12 to bring them back..

In the end an ugly win, but there are no style points in the W-L column..

 

[rogerthat]

I don't hate the linebacking crew. I like what I see out of Marsh. The rook from last year I've liked from the moment I saw him. When High comes back they will be much improved.

Other notes: Wise and Flowers up front is potentially dominating combo.
Solders sucks huge right now.
The special teams kid they brought in w the long name looks like he can play.
Look for Burkhead to be their featured back when he comes back.
What happened to Deion Lewis?

 

[condon84]

Not WITH Highower. He's probably the 3rd best ilb/mlb in the NFL,after Kuechly and Wagner. But he's going to also play some olb/de. He's one of the most versatile lbs in the league.
I agree w/o him, our lbs suck. With him, they're a bit above average. He's that good.

Without Hightower we probably do have the worst LBs in the league. When he comes back, LB will still probably be a liability, but we won't be the worst.

Agreed that Hightower is top 3 LB in the league. I think he's a great player. BUT, i think Van Noy might be the worst starting LB in the league. Roberts is decent against the run but a complete liability in the pass.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Did anyone touch on why we are punting in FG situations? Was it windy there?

Gost has a cannon of a leg.

 

[jah]

Donta has a knee issue.. wait.. the whole D does.. nevermind

Truly obsessed.

 

[captain stone]

Did anyone touch on why we are punting in FG situations?

Yeah, that was a chickenshit move, made even more chickenshit when Houston drove beyond - far beyond - the spot where they would've had possession anyway, had the Pats tried to convert and failed, or even had they attempted the FG and failed.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I would like to see them get another linebacker who can play in space and get to the QB. I wish rivers wouldn't have gotten hurt. We will see how the defense plays in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

By the way, this is, with obvious modifications, similar to the BB/Peyton 4th down situation from years back.

My thought exactly...Fourth and 2.
And not to beat that dead horse but the problem back then was not the decision to go for it in 4th down or the play call on 4th down but the 3rd down call.....

 

[QuantumMechanic]

My thought exactly...Fourth and 2.
And not to beat that dead horse but the problem back then was not the decision to go for it in 4th down or the play call on 4th down but the 3rd down call.....

And that's why I don't believe BB when says they planned to go for it on 4th down all along. Because that was piss-poor play calling that showed no signs of a previous decision to go for it on 4th down.

 

[Kdo5]

I'm surprised that more posters aren't pointing this out. I suppose the argument is that it may have been easier to gain a yard and continue to eat clock than it would've been to stop Brady from scoring a TD.

The fact that it's even a debate really highlights how exceptional he is, but I think you always choose to kick the FG, there.

I see the other side of the argument well enough. That's what you almost always should do. I can't criticize O'Brien very much or call him stupid because that is unfair. It wasn't an easy call.

I do think they had a better chance getting the first down than they did stopping Brady. The Pats defense was playing very poorly. Brady was playing awesome in spite of all the hits he was taking.

He had put his determination and poise on exhibit that game given all the pressure he took. There was a high likelihood he would march down the field.

I thought he should have gambled but O'Brien wasn't "wrong" in this thinking.

 

[bormio]

I see the other side of the argument well enough. That's what you almost always should do. I can't criticize O'Brien very much or call him stupid because that is unfair. It wasn't an easy call.

I do think they had a better chance getting the first down than they did stopping Brady. The Pats defense was playing very poorly. Brady was playing awesome in spite of all the hits he was taking.

He had put his determination and poise on exhibit that game given all the pressure he took. There was a high likelihood he would march down the field.

I thought he should have gambled but O'Brien wasn't "wrong" in this thinking.

Houston had played very good defense in the 4th - it was not like we were marching up and down the field. I think in that case you trust your defense - and it came close to working - got a strip sack, forced 3rd and very longs etc. So kicking the FG made sense. It is also the easy decision - hard to explain going, failing to convert and losing to a FG. Only a gutsy coach might go for it on 4th - BB maybe?

 

[Kdo5]

Houston had played very good defense in the 4th - it was not like we were marching up and down the field. I think in that case you trust your defense - and it came close to working - got a strip sack, forced 3rd and very longs etc. So kicking the FG made sense. It is also the easy decision - hard to explain going, failing to convert and losing to a FG. Only a gutsy coach might go for it on 4th - BB maybe?

Fair points. If the Texans had even a little luck they could have ended the Pats comeback drive. Especially the missed interception.

I still support going for it though. Pats defense is still playing poorly. Good chance you can convert and likely end the game. I'd bet on that more than trusting Brady wouldn't pull it off again. He was having a tremendous game when they kept the ball in his hands and was also making big plays throughout.

Even if BOB had tried to convert and failed, I would still sit here and believe he did the right thing.

 

[Uptown]

Gotta love these Belestrator lessons.

Belichick Breakdown: Key Plays from the Victory over the Texans

 

[DaBronxPats14]

NFLN* Replay Pats vs Texans Tonight 8-11 pm.

I didn't get to see it last Sunday but this Sunday vs Panthers I'll be at Gillette.