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

[Triumph]

 

[Steve102]

I also noticed how many times DM threw the ball away, especially in the first half. To me the biggest issues were the OL and that SD was able to shut down the Pats WR corps which ultimately caused may to revert to habits from his last year in college and first year here where he tries to do too much when he isn't getting enough help from his teammates. Hopefully all three areas will learn from the game and play better next game.

I wouldn't sweat that. The Chargers D is/was excellent in vertical coverage and on interior runs. This was going to be a perimeter run game and a checkdown game. Khalil Mack is a HoFer, he's probably the best edge guy that Campbell has to face in the post season. Drake took what was there and didn't press downfield. They had a good offensive game plan they were able to follow because the defensive game plan worked perfectly. Superior coaching won out, the players executed. There's things to improve but this was a great win.

 

[DaBruinz]

So, despite the Chargers O-line supposedly giving Hebert 3.43 seconds to throw the ball, the Pats Defense was still able to get pressure on Herbert nearly 97% of the time..

That's INSANE..

 

[DaBruinz]

Lmao

I don't think I ever posted that much in one day in my life... Let someone else carry the day

I do wonder how many people are now checking it out now

I bet most haven't even read the beginning of the thread and are scratching their heads wondering wtf we're talking about.

 

[TommyD4207]

Pitt will watch our tape (if they win tonight) and their focus will be on the quick game to Warren and Gainwell. That's really been their bread and butter, and can work against a blitz heavy game plan. I can't imagine we would blitz Rodgers near as much as we did last night.

That's for Marcus Jones, or whoever's in coverage. You blitz Rodgers, you take away 1/3 of their pass offense, the PI Bait.

It's no secret, no surprise (or at least it shouldn't be), the Patriots had their healthiest defense out there that they had all year, and we got a performance like that. Press man coverage. Blitz the **** out of the QB - that's Vrabel's Defense from Tennessee. Huge push up the middle, disguised, tight coverages.

You know what you didn't see? Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens in coverage against anyone 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. There are *enough* pieces, and *enough* talent to compete at a high level on defense, if the pieces are there.

 

[DaBruinz]

Wasn’t Taylor on his last elevation for the Chargers game?

So they need to sign him to the 53 if they want to play him again.

Or maybe making room for a possible waiver claim?

Incorrect. I noted this in the Roster Thread. Elevations RESET for the play-offs and there are UNLIMITED elevations for players. Meaning that they could elevate Taylor every game if they wanted

 

[farn]

So, despite the Chargers O-line supposedly giving Hebert 3.43 seconds to throw the ball, the Pats Defense was still able to get pressure on Herbert nearly 97% of the time..

That's INSANE..

Herbert isn’t good. He’s that good looking chick you think you can save. But she keeps getting dumped because everyone realizes she’s too much work / not offering enough.

 

[Pape]

I bet most haven't even read the beginning of the thread and are scratching their heads wondering wtf we're talking about.

a minibomb went off when you posted that screenshot "WAIT WHAT!!!!"

 

[Vindicate]

So, despite the Chargers O-line supposedly giving Hebert 3.43 seconds to throw the ball, the Pats Defense was still able to get pressure on Herbert nearly 97% of the time..

That's INSANE..

Methinks this can actually be a point of crit, albeit a non-factor of this game, but definitely something even Vrabel has commented on: the Patriots get pressure quick but have trouble finishing the sack. Sometimes a sack from the Patriots is a goddamn musical with three acts lmao. We sacked the hell out of Herbert yet there were still quite a few left on the field, imo.

It makes me drool thinking how scary this line could be if it finds that last piece to drive their pressures home.

This is my eye test analysis, I might be missing something or just wrong.

 

[DaBruinz]

Does anyone know who was calling the defensive plays. Zac Kuhr our DC ? I would have thought there would be more flowers thrown his way after that dominant performance (if it was him). Have barely heard his name mentioned by anyone...

Yes. Kuhr was calling the plays. People have already noted that Spillane was quoted as telling one of the pundits that the Chargers O-line told them they had no idea what the Pats coverages were the entire game. Someone mentioned that Chaisson may have also been told that.

 

[mgteich]

I wouldn't sweat that. The Chargers D is/was excellent in vertical coverage and on interior runs. This was going to be a perimeter run game and a checkdown game. Khalil Mack is a HoFer, he's probably the best edge guy that Campbell has to face in the post season. Drake took what was there and didn't press downfield. They had a good offensive game plan they were able to follow because the defensive game plan worked perfectly. Superior coaching won out, the players executed. There's things to improve but this was a great win.

An Offensive game plan that produces a total of 16 points when the Defense is perfect is not a very successful game plan.

And yes, there were 2 fumbles, and we lost ONLY one. There were also possible interceptions after the first play, with none lost. I guess this is considered a great success.
================
I think that the Offense will get better, but I don't think that the offensive game plan of yesterday executed as we did yesterday would be good enough to beat HOU.

 

[TommyD4207]

Methinks this can actually be a point of crit, albeit a non-factor of this game, but definitely something even Vrabel has commented on: the Patriots get pressure quick but have trouble finishing the sack. Sometimes a sack from the Patriots is a goddamn musical with three acts lmao. We sacked the hell out of Herbert yet there were still quite a few left on the field, imo.

It makes me drool thinking how scary this line could be if it finds that last piece to drive their pressures home.

This is my eye test analysis, I might be missing something or just wrong.

The secondary was as good as we've seen here in 6 years last night. Locked. The ****. Down.

Can we talk about Craig Woodson taking Oronde Gadsden out of the game completely btw?

 

[cmasspatsfan]

So, despite the Chargers O-line supposedly giving Hebert 3.43 seconds to throw the ball, the Pats Defense was still able to get pressure on Herbert nearly 97% of the time..

That's INSANE..

Also we have a damn good secondary, a lot of times he had nowhere to throw the ball.

 

[Triumph]

Dola in da house, Yo

Respeck

 

[DaBruinz]

a minibomb went off when you posted that screenshot "WAIT WHAT!!!!"

Did you see the follow-up to Ross after the reset??? *LOL*

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

The secondary was as good as we've seen here in 6 years last night. Locked. The ****. Down.

Can we talk about Craig Woodson taking Oronde Gadsden out of the game completely btw?

He was excellent.
I like Hawk too, I think he gets better all the time. Would like him back.

 

[ViperGTS]

That's for Marcus Jones, or whoever's in coverage. You blitz Rodgers, you take away 1/3 of their pass offense, the PI Bait.

It's no secret, no surprise (or at least it shouldn't be), the Patriots had their healthiest defense out there that they had all year, and we got a performance like that. Press man coverage. Blitz the **** out of the QB - that's Vrabel's Defense from Tennessee. Huge push up the middle, disguised, tight coverages.

You know what you didn't see? Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens in coverage against anyone 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. There are *enough* pieces, and *enough* talent to compete at a high level on defense, if the pieces are there.

Thats not even having Tonga back. I also thing they went up a notch in their details as well. Hyper focused and thats what I was hoping would happen. They seem to have the IT factor imo. Wouldn't shock me if they put that type of performance together going froward if they stay healthy.

 

[DaBruinz]

I mentioned it earlier, but it bears mentioning again. For most of the 1st half, the Pats didn't have Barmore and Williams on the field at the same time. Then on that last Chargers drive, they put them out there and the Pats got a sack.

Fast forward to the 4th quarter when the Pats got that nifty substitution gifted to them, it put Barmore/Williams back on the field together and the Pats got 2 MORE sacks.

If the Pats can get an Edge Rusher who is better than Landry or Chaisson, then the Pats will be Sack monsters next year because they'll put them up regardless of whether Barmore/Williams are on the field together.

 

[Vindicate]

The secondary was as good as we've seen here in 6 years last night. Locked. The ****. Down.

Can we talk about Craig Woodson taking Oronde Gadsden out of the game completely btw?

Extremely physical play. Gonzo and Davis are bullies, especially in man. I'd hate lining up across from them.

It was refreshing to see after a weekend of incredibly porous secondary play. The game didn't really change when Gonzalez went out, speaking to how good his relief was.

It was nice to see the violence And the confident leg in Borregales that didn't fear the big stage.

 

[Uptown]