Fast start in the super bowl.

[Redman443]

First of all, Hi everyone, I am new to the forum. Ive been a patriots fan since I was 7 years old. Its a great privilege to be here and talk with fellow pats fans. So what I wanted to talk about is our start in the super bowl. Do you guys think we will be able to get off to a fast start vs the eagles? I mean the qb matchup isnt even close in this game, foles is not Matt Ryan or Russell Wilson. I've been thinking about how we match up with the eagles and I think our offense is more than capable of moving on the eagles defense but I worry about our defense after seeing what they did to Minnesota. Thoughts?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'll settle for points in the first quarter.

 

[Nikolai]

I'll settle for points in the first quarter.

If we could get up to one of those old school 14-0 leads, that would be tremendous.

 

[TB_Helmet]

Welcome to the forum! Say goodbye to your free time.

 

[Jackson 2]

No, fast starts, even in the regular season, haven't been the trend. I'm prepared for a deficit of 10 points, or so, in the first half. Just the way it usually is.

 

[Nikolai]

No, fast starts, even in the regular season, haven't been the trend. I'm prepared for a deficit of 10 points, or so, in the first half. Just the way it usually is.

At this point, I've wondered if Belichick is coming out a little vanilla to see what the other team is going to do and then adjust the game plan accordingly. I'd say it's very likely if he's doing this that he's already got a couple gameplans set up based on film study of the other team's tendencies, and then he puts that plan into play with whatever adjustments are necessary based on the new wrinkles in the current game.

 

[Redman443]

What i'm eager to see is if the defense does a better job getting off the field on 3rd down. They tightened in the 4th last week but in the first half, bortles kept hitting it on 3rd down and it was frustrating. Bill adjusted to what they were doing

 

[Uptown]

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I don't like the thought of having to eek out another win. Hard to believe this team hasn't scored a td in 8 Super Bowls in the first quarter.

 

[edkk323]

I don't like the thought of having to eek out another win. Hard to believe this team hasn't scored a td in 8 Super Bowls in the first quarter.

No no no no no . We could not score POINTS in all the SB in the first quarters.

 

[Jackson 2]

Welcome to the forum! Say goodbye to your free time.

Not to mention your sanity.

 

[Redman443]

No no no no no . We could not score POINTS in all the SB in the first quarters.

As long as TB isnt getting hit over and over again like in SB's 42 and 46. He should be fine.

 

[Jackson 2]

What i'm eager to see is if the defense does a better job getting off the field on 3rd down. They tightened in the 4th last week but in the first half, bortles kept hitting it on 3rd down and it was frustrating. Bill adjusted to what they were doing

Sorry, but that's certainly not the first half trend.

 

[Redman443]

Sorry, but that's certainly not the first half trend.

I'm just saying cant let foles do us like that.

 

[Jackson 2]

I'm just saying cant let foles do us like that.

I'm just saying don't be surprised if he does do us like that.

 

[DarrylS]

It is not how you start...it is how you finish.

My hope is that the Pats start quick and stay close or lead at the half.

Need to control the number of plays and time of possession, comparable to SB 51...although hope we are not down 25 pts with 3:40 left in the 4th quarter....

 

[convertedpatsfan]

No, fast starts, even in the regular season, haven't been the trend. I'm prepared for a deficit of 10 points, or so, in the first half. Just the way it usually is.

Is this true?

The Patriots finished 5th in the regular season in points in the first quarter (5.3). They were 2nd in points in the first half (16.8).

Game 1 Chiefs: 7-7, 17-14
Game 2 Saints: 20-3, 30-13
Game 3 Texans: 7-10, 21-20
Game 4 Panthers: 3-3, 16-17
Game 5 Bucs: 3-0, 13-7
Game 6 Jets: 0-7, 14-14
Game 7 Falcons: 0-0, 17-0
Game 8 Chargers: 0-7, 15-7
Game 9 Broncos: 14-6, 27-9
Game 10 Raiders: 7-0, 17-0
Game 11 Dolphins: 14-0, 21-10
Game 12 Bills: 3-0, 9-3
Game 13 Dolphins: 0-6, 10-13
Game 14 Steelers: 7-7, 10-17
Game 15 Bills: 0-3, 13-13
Game 16 Jets: 7-3, 21-3

So 5 games out of 16, we trailed after the first quarter. 7 times we led, and of those 7, 3 were by more than 7 points.

3 games we trailed at halftime, one by 7 points, one by 3 points, one by 1 point.

At various points we went down by 2 scores sure, but by the end of each quarter, we found a way to rally to keep it a close game. And more often than not, we were ahead. 11 times we led at halftime vs. 3 times trailing, 7 of those by more than 7 points.

I know the GDT basically lights itself on fire whenever the team goes down at any point in the game, but really, this seems a bit over the top reactionary to the last few playoff games. We were great in the regular season in the first half.

 

[RIpats88]

uncharacteristic turnovers lead to the patriots not scoring in first quarter in the last 2 superbowls.

brady drove down the field against the seahawks and threw an uncharacteristic pick in the red-zone against the seahawks.

against the falcons, we were in scoring range when blount fumbled....and of course tom bradys pick 6

 

[RobertWeathers]

It is not how you start...it is how you finish.

My hope is that the Pats start quick and stay close or lead at the half.

Need to control the number of plays and time of possession, comparable to SB 51...although hope we are not down 25 pts with 3:40 left in the 4th quarter....

I don't think I can handle being down 25 again. I ate 5 cupcakes that 4th quarter and rarely eat sweets

 

[Soliel]

These stats are otherworldly for Super Bowl play

I don't think I can handle being down 25 again. I ate 5 cupcakes that 4th quarter and rarely eat sweets

I ate like twelve rolaids