My thoughts

Oswlek said:

I give the grades out as such:

Defense - A

I don't know how much better they could have played considering how little help the offense was giving them and the field position that they were faced with all game.

Offense - D

The QB weighs this down considerable. I think the OL deserved an A in pass blocking, but their run blocking was poor.

Special teams - C

Obviously Gost gets an A for his FGs, but I thought that NE's return teams on both sides were not very good. The outcome of the game might have been much different if SDs returner on the final drive hadn't lost his footing because I think he had the guy beat. Frankly, I might be giving this area too much of a bump up for Gost's FGs, but I am feeling generous right now.

NE hung in there and commendably maintained their composure in the face of what was happening, but the fact that they won doesn't change my opinion of the game. If they play the exact same way against the Colts, they will lose by at least 10 points.

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MrBigglesWorth said:

It didn't help the chargers that both shawne's starting dropping and had to go to the locker room. it still baffles me for that to happen to the younger team and the one who had more rest due to the bye week. I guess they were out of shape or spent themselves too early in the game.

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MoLewisrocks said:

Amateur analysis is all well and good buddy. Just wish you graders could have the opportunity to hand these out in the locker room...after a smackdown belistrator session with the guy who scoffs at amateur graders. :bricks:

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PatsFanSince74 said:

OK, I'm gonna seem like the ultimate homer here, but people who read my posts know that I'm as quick as anyone to be critical of the home towne team.

I don't think Brady played a bad game. At all. I think he was playing in the face of a ferocious rush that might not have sacked him very much, but that was in his face all day, forcing him to hurry passes and, on several occasions, throw the ball while backpedaling (looked like Eli Manning a couple of times). His receivers were blanketed down field and they couldn't get the running game going to take the pressure off. It took nearly nearly four quarters for the Chargers to lose some of their speed up front and deep.

And, just what do you call the drive at the end of the first half and the two drives with four minutes to go? "Bad?" "Terrible?"

Name for me one other QB, besides Peyton, who could have pulled off what TB did yesterday. Who? Rex the wild? Chad Doofington? Drew Don't Take Me Out Of the Dome Brees? Airless McNair? Ben The Biker? Who? Who could have done what Tom Brady did yesterday? I think you have to come up with names like Elway and Montana to answer the question.

End of venting. On to Indy. Pound Peyton.

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