Idle thoughts - the "good loss" edition

[Uptown]

 

[Kdo5]

Great point, PFK. It really isn’t often where I watch the Patriots struggle and lose yet and am seeing the potential long term benefits while it is happening. It was nothing near the massacre in KC but it was an all around failure for every player and coach to learn from.

We know that the defense is good and we saw that the offense was making some gradual strides while still dealing with multiple issues. I was impressed with how the offense responded to Edelman’s fumble the next drive by pushing the ball right down the field again and into the end zone.

There was some encouraging things to see amidst the debacle. Personally I don’t want to play the Ravens again in the playoffs. I think we can handle more traditional QB’s, even the good ones. Lamar Jackson is a real wildcard and they have the type of offense that is most likely to exploit the weaknesses we might have on D. But if we do end up facing them again, I certainly expect the Patriots to be much better off.

 

[archstanton543]

Long story short: The Pats looked like a team headed into their Bye and the Ravens looked like a team coming out of theirs.

 

[masterbouncer]

3) I'd like to know why Watson didn't touch the guy down when Brady threw over his head for the interception. I know he was running full speed, but just a simple touch, drag of the foot or something would have marked the guy down at the 3 yard line. Guess I expected better from a veteran like Watson. Or maybe he just didn't see/have the time to react?

It was Sanu on that play as far as i can recall, indeed he just needed to touch him with the foot and he would have been down by contact.

I looked back the box score and was surprised to see Michel had just four carries. It felt like he was not used much in the game but four carries is really low for your primary back. There was one route he ran where Brady glared at him and I don’t know how many more snaps he received after that. Was he benched? Either way he seems to be on a short leash with Brady.

They started with a good run but as the game went on and the Pats trailed they went to no-huddle and kept White and Rex in as better pass options. Based on that they didn't use much run plays later on beside few with burkhead to keep the D# bit more honest.

 

[archstanton543]

The refs weren't calling anything on the Ravens all night.

 

[PatsFan2]

RB - Sony ran for over 4 ypc, and had a nice catch and run, but after a route that Brady didn't seem to like, he never saw the field the rest of the night. That bears watching. It turns out that James white tripping over Cannon's leg cost the Pats a key TD early in the 2nd half. It was a well conceived play that SHOULD have been successful. Burkhead got some.

The HOF RB doesn't have Brady's trust but I'm not surprised.

 

[p8ryts]

Can someone explain that intentional grounding to me? I still am confused by it.
Overall, the penalties were extremely frustrating and really hurt us, I hate seeing that.

My perception on the replay, Brady released the ball just as Dorsett was disengaging from the DB. Brady anticipated sideline, Dorsett went inside, visual looked bad but in this case I think Brady was not culpable.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

As bad as it was it wasn't as bad as the Tennessee and Detroit losses last year. There are actually some takeaways from it, the offense being one positive as you said. I'm now more confident they can hold their own now come playoff time seeing Sanu emerging as a quality option and Brady did look sharp - I saw the type of play from him that could potentially carry us in the event of a shootout. Just last night, there really wasn't an opportunity with the defense giving up 8 minute and 9.5 minute TD drives in the 2nd half. Giving up points is withstandable but you CANT let the other team hold the ball for 8+ minutes in the process. No offense will overcome that.

But once settling in we had 5 pretty good drives in a row before the defense completely lost control of the gmae : one ended in FG before the half, one an easy TD, and 2 were unfortunately halted by turnovers, one halted by penalties in the 1st half, better luck next time hopefully. Not bad in a hostile environment vs a top AFC team. Wynn and Harry should help even more.

 

[PatsFan2]

The refs weren't calling anything on the Ravens all night.

Pats LB's were knocked on their @sses all night game set match boo who.

 

[p8ryts]

I seem to recall this same kind of scenario after a dolphins team dropped a wildcat on the Pats. Last night seemed a little gimmicky. Yes we lost, but we all know we will be in the AFCCG again, and If we see the Ravens again, Bill will have what Happened last night, all figured out. We lose one every year where the talking heads say stick a fork in us......tisk tisk, they will never learn.

No panic required, think KC, think Pitt, defining losses, anticipating this will be the same.

 

[Froob]

The refs weren't calling anything on the Ravens all night.

Does anybody know if that long snapper bob is the right call? Is that a crafty vet move that isn’t usually called or perhaps isn’t a penalty at all? I feel like I’ve seen that called before.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Can someone explain that intentional grounding to me? I still am confused by it.
Overall, the penalties were extremely frustrating and really hurt us, I hate seeing that.

If, facing imminent loss of yards, the passer throws the ball it is IG if:
* the passer is in the pocket and the ball is not “in the vicinity” (there’s no definition of this) of an eligible receiver
* the passer is out of the pocket and the pass fails to make it to the line of scrimmage (doesn’t need to be near anyone)

If the throw is significantly affected by contact from a defender on the passer it is not IG even if the above happens.

Intentional Grounding | NFL Football Operations

 

[p8ryts]

I don't mind the spread grouping but I don't like this insistence on looking for the same receiver on pass plays. Brady has time for a couple reads and then does his patented chuck and duck. Was there a single screen? The Thomas break up in the endzone was the same play Talib made in the AFCCG in Denver. A predictable play. It's too bad that Meyers and Izzo are so terrible they only got one snap between them. Bad offensive strategy IMO. It seemed like Josh said, Tommy what do you want to do and Tommy said throw it to Sanu and Edelman. Josh says ok, have a ball.

 

[archstanton543]

I don't mind the spread grouping but I don't like this insistence on looking for the same receiver on pass plays. Brady has time for a couple reads and then does his patented chuck and duck. Was there a single screen? The Thomas break up in the endzone was the same play Talib made in the AFCCG in Denver. A predictable play. It's too bad that Meyers and Izzo are so terrible they only got one snap between them. Bad offensive strategy IMO. It seemed like Josh said, Tommy what do you want to do and Tommy said throw it to Sanu and Edelman. Josh says ok, have a ball.

There was one screen and the play got blown up immediately.

 

[borg]

When facing a dominant running team the key is obvious....get the lead and make the opponent alter away from their strength.
17-0 start was a nightmare
Being gifted a botched punt was a nice reprieve.... but Baltimore proved resilient in the 4th

I thought Baltimore’s D strategy early was brilliant. When NE went 5 wide, Ravens stacked the line and blitzed knowing full well Brady’s fear of his own O line. Ghosts!

Wished McDaniels pivoted to the screen pass game earlier than he did

Hats off to the Baltimore crowd for their deafening support, especially in the 1st qtr.
They clearly impacted the play of both teams.

For years I’ve posted how BB defenses can be vulnerable on the edges... and watching the Ravens’ lumbering TEs exploit this area of softness and get 1st down after 1st down on the outside has me concerned a bit

And my pet peeve last year, NE’s jaggy DL, is now another concern this year.
Surprised it took half a season before teams took full advantage of this grouping

Way premature but that’s why message boards exist: I can’t help but wonder how BB will fill so many holes this offseason while paying his vets and keeping Brady happy.
TE, DL, OL, K, etc (QB ?)
I am some what comforted that NE has a bullpen of well rested 2019 draft picks (currently gathering dust) but upgrades are badly needed in so many spots. Of course the likelihood rookies would be allowed to play is always an unknown

Last thought
Two games in a row NE has faced big strong young talent from high draft slots and you can clearly see the opposition’s physicality advantage. And last night a competent coach utilized that advantage effectively.

I’m eager to see how this season plays out. Will brains over brute be enough?
More brutes coming in the back half of the schedule

 

[Ladypatsfan]

The offense is not in sync. To many injuries, to many moving parts. Guys on and off the team. They need to stabilize and develop good chemistry. Really disappointed in Brady. He has been here 20 years. What BB has done to the personnel on offense shouldn't bother him.
BB has been doing that for years. Pouting over players that are released is useless. I am disappointed in Scar too. He has been able to coach up mediocre OL in the past and make them serviceable. If this group is not coachable, Why by all that is holy did BB keep them?
So frustrated.
I am sick of hearing about AB. We fans have to get over it and so does the QB,
I am more upset that the The left tackle we had last year was allowed to leave, and no reliable replacement was acquired. I am pissed that Gronk retired and BB never thought to draft a tightend at all.
Bah Hum Bug, I am in a crappy mood today. Thanks a lot Patriots

 

[p8ryts]

A rare game where BB and Josh were outcoached and players were outplayed. The defense may not have been as good as touted but it is not as bad as people seem to think it is now. Glad to get that out of our system.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Long story short: The Pats looked like a team headed into their Bye and the Ravens looked like a team coming out of theirs.

And coming up next, another team coming off a bye.

Big picture-
I see the Ravens going no better than 12-4. I see us no worse than 13-3. We just need to take care of business at home and @Bengals.

 

[archstanton543]

I am more upset that the The left tackle we had last year was allowed to leave, and no reliable replacement was acquired.

His name is Isaiah Wynn. He's coming back after the Eagles game.

 

[Ladypatsfan]

His name is Isaiah Wynn. He's coming back after the Eagles game.

"Reliable" you missed that word. When the kid can stay on the field, then I will classify him as reliable. Wynn may upgrade the left side of the line, but the rest of the OL is suspect also. They are stuck with them.