PostGame Thread 2023 Patriots Official Postgame Thread: Week - 14 NE @ PIT

[Triumph]

Yeah those 18 yards by Pickens were something to see.

No shock that you dismiss Pickens as a nobody.

When do expect Larry Maroney to enter the NFL HOF? You oughta go.

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

Called this W. I think we win one more, against the Jete. The Steelers offense is really bad so I’m not surprised we matched up well against them.

 

[archstanton543]

It worked.

As someone once said, you play to win the game.

 

[Wozzy]

I fail to see the point? It could have been during an earthquake. The sentiment remains the same...

According to most here he was already an unmitigated failure, despite some pretty great results as a starter.

One game at a time, improve and get more confidence each week… also get some WR’s back.

Raegor should never see the field, they’ll look a lot better with Parker and Douglas back.

 

[rogerthat]

If Zappe had been starting the whole year- as he should have been- there would be ample opportunity to evaluate him. I still say the juries still out on him. Last night there was def more good than bad. My book on him so far:

weaknesses:

1. size- has to find a way to avoid tipped balls, find better throwing angles, avoid getting killed out there, etc...
2. inconsistent- especially with getting through his reads and accuracy on shorter throws
3. does not seem to see the field very well at times

strengths:

1. moves his feet very, very well.
2. poise, confidence, intangibles
3. throws the deep ball well; has an nfl arm, too. maybe not a great arm, but plenty good enough
4. shows good accountability when he makes mistakes

He can play in this league- he's proven that, imo. Is he good enough to lead this team? Most would say no, but I'm not ready to give up on that. He needs a real chance and needs to be given an opportunity to grow, imo. I'm rooting for him- I like him as a player and an underdog story.

 

[condon84]

I don't think most folks who prefer Zappe over McCorkle right now believe Zappe is the "answer" or even "good". I just appreciate the reprieve from:

All people wanted was anyone but Mac.

He knew Mac was toast. Kinda like we know Rob0 is toast.

"Zappe said it was a wakeup call when he got cut by the Patriots in camp," Hartung said. "As he signed with their practice squad the very next day, he told [Zach] Kittley [Zappe's offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky], 'Trust me, I've got this. Eventually I'll be the starter."

Bailey Zappe reportedly made bold claim after being cut by Patriots

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I dont know if its his voice or what but this makes my day

 

[Ring 6]

As someone once said, you play to win the game.

And they won

 

[bresna]

As much as I liked this win, I'm still wondering what the heck was going on with that refereeing crew and their messed up pass interference calls that seemed to skew Pittsburgh's way. Both DPIs against Jackson were for hip pulls, which is standard technique used by every DB in the NFL and never gets called anymore. But they did tonight. The first one was not DPI at all & cost us an INT. The second one in the endzone, which was closer to the correct call but hasn't been made all season and pretty much gifted Pittsburgh a TD. And that OPI against Hunter Henry was nowhere near enough of a push to throw a flag, especially since the Steelers defender initiated the contact & had a hold on Henry before he pushed off. You want to throw that flag, make the penalties offsetting.

But still, a win's a win. I knew Zappe had a game like this in him if only the line could protect him in the pocket. As it is, a lot of his throws were with him having to step up, so they barely protected him & they failed pretty much the second half. As much as everyone wants a big name QB in the draft, if they don't do something about this Oline, that QB is going to be on the IR.

 

[Ring 6]

No shock that you dismiss Pickens as a nobody.

When do expect Larry Maroney to enter the NFL HOF? You oughta go.

So you mean Pickens didn’t suck last night? He may have played ok, and been getting open but his qb didn’t get him the ball so he made him look bad? Hmmm


Sure sign you know you have no argument, you bring up your lust of maroney.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I'm just very impressed with the 3rd TD. Zappe pump fakes to JJ then releases it 5yds before HH even turned his head, hits him in stride on a dime, and HH with great concentration.




Absolutely LOVE Prime with NextGenStats.

 

[Kdo5]

Where was Mac Jones? Did the camera show him once?

He was shown a few times. Once he had his head all the way down like he wanted to be invisible.

 

[Wozzy]

As much as I liked this win, I'm still wondering what the heck was going on with that refereeing crew and their messed up pass interference calls that seemed to skew Pittsburgh's way. Both DPIs against Jackson were for hip pulls, which is standard technique used by every DB in the NFL and never gets called anymore. But they did tonight. The first one was not DPI at all & cost us an INT. The second one in the endzone, which was closer to the correct call but hasn't been made all season and pretty much gifted Pittsburgh a TD. And that OPI against Hunter Henry was nowhere near enough of a push to throw a flag, especially since the Steelers defender initiated the contact & had a hold on Henry before he pushed off. You want to throw that flag, make the penalties offsetting.

But still, a win's a win. I knew Zappe had a game like this in him if only the line could protect him in the pocket. As it is, a lot of his throws were with him having to step up, so they barely protected him & they failed pretty much the second half. As much as everyone wants a big name QB in the draft, if they don't do something about this Oline, that QB is going to be on the IR.

To be fair the Steeler’s ranked 8th in fewest points allowed and ranked 6th in sacks entering this weekend. They’re easily a top ten defense.

The line only allowed two sacks, one was a clear coverage sack, another one where backup OT McDermott got turnstiled.

Coverage sacks could be expected with only 3 WR’s active and them missing their best short area quickness weapon in Demario Douglas.

Hopefully Zappe keeps learning and growing.

 

[upstater1]

Also Justin Fields and Zach Wilson.

Fields went 13th though, both at the top. I still think a team could turn him around into a very good QB. If he had the Texans set-up, he'd be putting up Stroud -like numbers.

 

[jdlboot14]

I said it at half time when everyone was putting him in the HoF... it's ONE HALF of ONE GAME.
And, Zappe did well for 1 half. The 2nd half was pathetic by the whole offense.
So, yes, I'm withholding my zeal.
And, the biggest fear isn't that Zappe might get a few wins this year - that's fine.
The biggest fear is that those few wins will be enough to "inception" Kraft to keep BB, and give him ANOTHER offseason.
And it will be continued mediocrity and same old coaches, and Zappe will turn into Mac next year... (he's halfway there already)

 

[archstanton543]

And they won

They played not to lose and likely would have if not one of the worst penalty calls in a year full of them. Even Tavai knew he messed up.

 

[Rob0729]

A couple notes:

- Although the Patriots hold the #2 pick, I think there is a possibility that they could drop to three even if they lose the rest of their games. The Pats have the SOS tie breaker with Arizona. But it is close and that could change by the end of the season based on the win loss record of the teams each play.

- Last night Bailey Zappe has passed for more TDs in a single game on Heinz Field than any Steelers' QB since December 27, 2020 when Roethlisberger threw for three against the Colts. Kenny Pickett has yet to have a game where he passed for three TDs and only one game where he passed for two.

 

[venecol]

1st half patriots looked like a team I used to know. JC Jackson...meh. 2nd half patriots are my tanking patriots.

I like winning more than losing.

They went conservative the 2nd half w/ only 35% passing plays. The 1st half had about 67% passing plays.

Maybe PIT made adjustments in the half to take away the pass, and Pats just ran the ball into a lighter box. Or Bill figured his D could stop Trubisky from getting 12 pts before time ran out.

 

[upstater1]

It is pure stubbornness to salvage a high pick. It was obvious to everyone including N'Keal Harry himself that it wasn't working out and Bill still tried to salvage it instead of granting his trade request. Joejuan Williams was simply too slow to play the position and he remained on the roster. I truly believe if either were udfa they wouldn't have lasted more than a month.

The cutthroat BB that would cut both starting safeties and make bold moves has been gone a long time now. That guy would've traded Mac last year. I'm personally willing to give BB one last chance to blow everything up next season and go for broke.

I disagree with this in the sense that Mac has certain abilities throwing which make him a better possible potential QB than Zappe can be. And that quality is a short compact throwing motion and great accuracy.

He was simply asked to show some guts, stop being skittish, stop being so careless, take greater command of the pocket.

Part of me agrees with you. I was a big Mac backer but I wrote a long anti-Mac post here giving up on him after the 2nd game of the season against the Phins. I hated what I saw. (People hated me for turning on Mac like that, lol). But I totally understand that Mac had a higher ceiling than Zappe and you simply had to see it through.

Missing on your 1st round QB draft choice is ALWAYS a franchise setback. You have to see it through until the reality smacks you in the face. In the last several years, 16 QBs have been taken in the 1st round, 9 of them are busts, 6 have worked out, and we don't know yet about Jordan Love. It's a 40% chance that your 1st round QB is going to work for you.

When they don't it's a huge setback unless you get incredibly lucky (Purdy at SF).

 

[upstater1]

They played not to lose and likely would have if not one of the worst penalty calls in a year full of them. Even Tavai knew he messed up.

If, if, if. What about the awful calls that preceded that?

If there wasn't a horrendous PI call on Jackson, the Steelers aren't even in position to do anything on that series.