Idle thoughts - the "good loss" edition

Can't read through the whole thread, but my observations:

1) Yikes the D looked bad, but at least they got their comeuppence (sp?) now rather than in the playoffs. And, we have the bye week to fix things, and thank goodness there aren't too many running QBs in the NFL.
2) Thank goodness we got Sanu. Great pick-up and it looks like those who think Gunner shouldn't be taking up a roster spot will get their wish.
3) A rare bone-headed mistake by Jules cost us the game. I think if he didn't fumble and we scored there we might have won, even though the D stank last night.
4) Hurry back Isiah Wynn. Your replacement stinks.

Glad we have the bye to figure some things out and get some guys back. No panic yet.

sean10mm said:

Late in the 3rd quarter you still had 250-300lb guys rushing upfield and losing contain on QB scrambles, when it should have been clear that the name of the game was just keeping him bottled up at all costs.

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I recall exactly one snap where this happened and there it wasn't so much rushing upfield as LJ baiting KVN to take one wrong step and then juking the **** out of him. There might have been 1-2 more that i can't recall but point is that I thought they actually handled the Lamar scramble, edge setting & co. reasonably well. With a lot more discipline than many other teams. Now the gap integrity, run fits and physicality (especially early) is a different story.

From my POV they just were not ready to handle the run option but then again if it is executed on a high level how many teams are?

It is a mathematical problem and not a matter of skill or willpower.

Sanu is definitely worth a 2nd round pick for this team.

Tough game for the front 7. I kind of wish we tried out an alternate front to change things up.

It was a fun game to watch the line backers run blitz pretty much every down.

I desperately wanted Jackson to get pancaked on one of his runs. Hopefully some team can inflict some punishment on him. Running QBs need to be physically smacked down by opposing defenses.

robertweathers said:

Inside pocket/box, throw 15+ yards away from closest receiver- IG.

Outside pocket/box - not IG

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There was clearly illegal contact on the play.

I wanted 19-0, but I’m not surprised they lost one. Probably will lose another game that will be a head scratcher down the road. People forget every year we won a SB we were blown out on the road sometime during the season.

Sometimes you just don’t play great and lose. I have no qualms to believe this team isn’t the top team after last night.

What bothers me most is how Baltimore's offense dominated physically. The Pats D got pushed around.

The Brandon Five said:

There was clearly illegal contact on the play.

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Dorsett seemed to be grabbed but whatever...

Watching this game, it was clear the Ravens had prepared very well during their bye week. The Patriots were not prepared for what the Ravens dished out and the first quarter reflected that difference in preparation. Once things settled down, the Patriots defense played much better for a decent stretch. The Patriots offense made too many mistakes, too many penalties, and that was the difference in this game.

I am confident that if the Patriots play the Ravens in Foxboro, the Patriots will win. Its clear that the Patriots need a real red zone threat, I hope that Harry can at least play a role inside the 20 yard line.

robertweathers said:

Inside pocket/box, throw 15+ yards away from closest receiver- IG.

Outside pocket/box - not IG

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What killed me about that call was that Brady threw it *BEFORE THE RECEIVER MADE HIS BREAK*, and it looked like an option route. Brady read it one way, the receiver read it another way, but because it was a long throw, by the time the ball arrived, the receiver - who broke the other way - was like 10-15 yards away from where the throw landed.

I've never seen another QB get called for that. I've only ever seen Brady get called for that. And it seems to happen to him once every couple of games.

Also: the neutral zone infraction penalty against the Pats' player who barely moved and objectively did NOT enter the neutral zone...like...at all. Those kinds of things just make me crazy.

robertweathers said:

Dorsett seemed to be grabbed but whatever...

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It wasn't a grab.

It was a two-handed shove/chuck at 8 yards down the field. The DB stood flat-footed and hit Dorsett like he was bumping him coming off the LOS.

Textbook illegal contact, and quite literally the type of the play the rule was designed for.

robertweathers said:

Dorsett seemed to be grabbed but whatever...

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The problem is that it was absolutely not called in the spirit of the rules. Grounding should be given on cynical obvious throw aways with a sack imminent.

In this case Brady threw the ball hot after recognising the blitz the Ravens were in but him and Dorsett read the DB leverage differently and the ball went left while Dorsett broke to the right.

Just on a philosophical level this is not IG.

dreighver said:

It wasn't a grab.

It was a two-handed shove/chuck at 8 yards down the field. The DB stood flat-footed and hit Dorsett like he was bumping him coming off the LOS.

Textbook illegal contact, and quite literally the type of the play the rule was designed for.

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You can argue it as Dorsett ran into Smith. It could have been called either way. I'm not getting worked up over that call.

I am worked up over getting curb stomped in the run D. Getting physically pushed around is the worst- especially against those whiney *****es.

kurtinelson said:

Sanu is definitely worth a 2nd round pick for this team.

Tough game for the front 7. I kind of wish we tried out an alternate front to change things up.

It was a fun game to watch the line backers run blitz pretty much every down.

I desperately wanted Jackson to get pancaked on one of his runs. Hopefully some team can inflict some punishment on him. Running QBs need to be physically smacked down by opposing defenses.

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They tried several different fronts. Hell, we only had one DL in the game at one point.

50-yard-line said:

This is the first time I can remember a team having to face opponents coming off a bye two weeks in a row (and with the first one after a Monday night game, to boot). Weird scheduling there.

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IIRC Cleveland was also coming off a bye. Philly won't have any advantage as we will both becoming off a bye

Your best post yet Ken.

Just want to say, BrAdys YPA must have been terrible. We need at least ONE big play guy that can threaten a defense on the outside. Or we will be exposed in playoffs.

Watson runs like he has a life call button in his shoulder pads!

Nunchucks said:

Watching this game, it was clear the Ravens had prepared very well during their bye week. The Patriots were not prepared for what the Ravens dished out and the first quarter reflected that difference in preparation. Once things settled down, the Patriots defense played much better for a decent stretch. The Patriots offense made too many mistakes, too many penalties, and that was the difference in this game.

I am confident that if the Patriots play the Ravens in Foxboro, the Patriots will win. Its clear that the Patriots need a real red zone threat, I hope that Harry can at least play a role inside the 20 yard line.

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Totally agree. Once again JAG Dorsett has drifted into witness protection. I’m ready to move on from him

PatsFan2 said:

Had a lump in my throat wHen the Ravens Drafted Lamar in 2018 he was rumored to us. Had a lump in my throat just watching how he puts fear in our D.

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Actually I was kind of hoping they'd take him as well, but you still have to remember that what ever promise he was EVENTUALLY show, it would have been delayed by 2 or 3 years (at least). Plus when he DID get on the field, there would have had to be a complete overhaul of the offensive personnel to fit his skills.

That being said, I believe with the kind of coaching he would have gotten here, he most likely WOULD have emerged as much better pass than he has shown so far in 2020 or 21. Maybe a pick worth waiting for. Maybe not.

Thanks for the analysis guys and the subsequent comments....always worthwhile. I recorded the game and the highlights but won't watch either , I hate when we loose like this. However I would echo what a lot of posters have said , we needed a loss like this to bring us back to reality. We have weaknesses and I have no doubt BB and the rest of the coaches know full well what they are. Boy, I would love to be in the post game team meeting !!!

This has got to be a learning opportunity and use the bye week to get prepared for the Eagles.

I call Shenanigans on "The good Loss". The loss was not OK. I was not aware last night was the Superbowl.

Love our defense, defense will be fine. Short and long term. Just one bad game.

Really worried about our offense long term when Brady retires or leaves. Severe lack of talent.