PostGame Thread 2025 OFFICIAL Patriots Wild Card PostGame Thread: Patriots win 16-3

[Gumby]

I want Pittsburgh because they weren’t convincing to me the first time we played them. We played a crap game, lost the turnover battle, and still it was only a one score loss. From what I’ve seen of them I think we can handle them and avenge that loss.

I don’t like Houston because I know that they’re a tougher defense, and I don’t know how their offense matches up but doubt that matchup will be much better for us than Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh barely squeaked past the Ravens to get into the playoffs. I’m just not all the impressed by them. But most of all I like the redemption narrative we can earn by beating them to avenge the early season loss.

I give Pitt about a 10% chance, purely on HFA.
I think HOU will tear up Rogers.

But yeah, would much rather embarrass Tomlin next week.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Efton Chism being 2nd in receiving yard for WR wasn’t on by bingo card.

 

[Lavictoire]

Steelers please, we owe them a slapping.

Oh yes, PLEASE bring on the Steelers! We outplayed them but beat ourselves when we played them earlier. Lets remind the Steelers their vacation from annual Patriot beatdowns is OVER!

 

[Lavictoire]

What I love is the Patriots institutional winning legacy in our coaching with Vrabel and McDaniels. They have been there and done that and got the hat and t-shirt and trophies. How about that fill-in Defensive coordinator?

 

[Lavictoire]

That was just a good old defensive ass whooping. I’ll give Herbert credit a lot of qbs wouldn’t have made it to the end.

Have to admit I felt the agony of defeat looking at Herbert's and Harbaugh's faces. Been there.

 

[Lavictoire]

Maybe its not so bad we played wildcard weekend. New guys get the big game jitters out of the way and a win!

 

[Lavictoire]

I think they were afraid of getting burned early on... then when we couldn't score, they had to turn up the heat

Our offense gave the defense some good rest periods too, even if we didnt score.

 

[Lavictoire]

Too lazy to look up how to add a GIF on here (@Ian can you not make it easier?) but there is this scene I love in one of my current fav shows which goes like this "the mother****ing king is back!"

 

[Lavictoire]

Yeah it wasn't pretty but Joe Montana had 3 interceptions and a fumble in his first nfc championship game and did enough.

Drake did enough tonight. Major kudos to him for sticking in there and not blinking or sulking like that choker Chargers QB.

Drake is Joe Cool.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Chargers scored 3pts in their last game also

 

[thecore762]

I hope the pats ownership fines Milton Williams for blooding Vrabel. That’s so uncalled for!

 

[TinhWoodhead]

They say the first game is sometimes the hardest one

 

[Huckleberry1]

But but but I was told that he sucks? Even PFF said so?

 

[farn]

Chargers scored 3pts in their last game also

Both CBS sports & Sports illustrated have these “Chargers, don’t waste Herbert” style articles. The media still doesn’t see what some of us have thought for a few years : he’s the loser. He’s the reason. When it counts, he doesn’t deliver.

Is he solely responsible ? No. But his D was really strong and they gave him a chance. He didn’t cash in - there were open receivers that he flat out missed. He’s a loser. THREE points in today’s nfl ? First and goal to start the game ? My god…

 

[pazrul72]

It wasn’t an awareness thing he had 2 instances where the rush got to him and he dropped the ball once and had it knocked out another. It happens. It’s a football play not a skill breakdown.

You can call it awareness or pocket presence or risk management, or heroball and over aggressive. Whatever you call it there were clearly two times in this game and several earlier in the year where he needs to understand the situation, stop fighting, protect the ball and eat the sack. It's a minor thing and he's young and has worked on and fixed a lot of issues so I am not worried about it for now. He just needs to tweak his HAVE to make a play from an 8 to a 7. Sometimes it is better to fight another day. If Wilson hadn't pounced on that fumble and the Chargers scoop and score it's a very different game.

Encouraging that he had an awful first half and bounced back for his far more typical excellent play in the 2nd, speaks well to our chances we got a great one.

 

[Shed83]

16-3

I’m hoping that is relevant after next week!!

 

[stcjones]

We dont suck ass anymore!

I did... minus a few touch down from both teams..

Crazy score considering mayes yards.

Just some struggles in the RZ or he would have had more production for those numbers of course ….have to get the offense scoring TDs, OL needs to play better all game…..and have to protect ball better …hope Gonzo is ok and ready to go

 

[A Defiant Goose]

You can call it awareness or pocket presence or risk management, or heroball and over aggressive. Whatever you call it there were clearly two times in this game and several earlier in the year where he needs to understand the situation, stop fighting, protect the ball and eat the sack. It's a minor thing and he's young and has worked on and fixed a lot of issues so I am not worried about it for now. He just needs to tweak his HAVE to make a play from an 8 to a 7. Sometimes it is better to fight another day. If Wilson hadn't pounced on that fumble and the Chargers scoop and score it's a very different game.

Encouraging that he had an awful first half and bounced back for his far more typical excellent play in the 2nd, speaks well to our chances we got a great one.

I said it in the GDT but I was VERY impressed with Maye's ball security in the first half. He took a lot of good sacks that would sometimes be lost fumbles and just held the ball and took the sack. He also threw away a lot of balls. He reverted a bit in the second half on two sack fumbles but he also played lights out in that half. It might be just something you have to accept. It seems like when he's protecting the ball he's thinking too hard about it but when he's loose and comfortable and slinging the ball around he gets careless at times.

I hope he can learn to put the two together and play loose but not reckless. I'm glad he had a game like this and can live to play another game next week that should do wonders for his confidence

 

[stcjones]

1. Awesome defense

2. Rookies on OL struggled

3. Maye was great as a runner, solid as a passer

4. Rhamondre has had quite the redemption arc.

Campbell was awful….pushed all over the place and gave up a lot of pressure/sack. Hope he can get back to form he had before injury and quickly….don’t have great options to replace him!

 

[stcjones]

I want Pittsburgh.

Mostly because that Texans defense might murder drake of Campbell and Wilson play that way again.

Man! Feels good to be talking about a second playoff game.

The Texans D would be a problem….their offense doesn’t scare me that much….Will probably be a close game like this one….won by a FG.