Elephant in the Room -- Tom Brady's Mental block in big games

[olschool]

That's no excuse. The Welker injury was huge, obviously, and the single biggest reason they lost that game. Baltimore was very good that year. But down 14 in the first quarter is hardly a time to panic. If the Pats had scored a TD to make it 14-7, that was still anyone's game. They just got steamrolled in that one, plain and simple.



And the offense scored 14 points until a garbage TD in the last minute.



And the offense scored just 17 and had numerous chances in the 2nd half to put that game away and couldn't. Brady's horrible INT on the bomb to Gronk (it was both a bad throw and a bad decision - Hernandez was wide open on the right and he would have had about a 20 yard gain easy) was a huge play.



The Pats advanced EIGHT times inside Baltimore's 35 and came away with only 13 points.

In their playoff losses from 2007-2012, the offense deserves the lion's share of the blame. Not all of it, but the majority of it. Generally the defense has played about the same during these losses as it did during the regular season, but the offense underperformed in a major way.

The Ravens and Giants defenses MADE the offense "underperform".

Why can't you give credit to the excellent defenses that caused these losses ?

The Patriots defense is nowhere near the level of those teams defenses, and that's why the Patriots can't win low scoring games anymore.

 

[DarrylStingley]

Great points above about the offense being the culprit for that game. So many advances past the 50 and the 35 and so few points. Terrible all around. Play calling. Execution. Everything.

In my view, there are always multiple causes. As Troy Brown pointed out, many times Tom looked at covered receivers. As Tom Curran (and Bedard) pointed out, the play calling and all that passing when the Ravens were in coverage defenses, was quite questionable. The inability to convert 2nd and 2s and 3rd and 2s into first downs was just a total failure.

So blaming Tom alone seems quite unfair.

BUT Tom does seem to not bring his best games in AFC Championship games and SBs. He wasn't great against the Ravens last year or the Chargers in 2007. And he wasn't great against the Giants. And he wasn't great against the Jets and Ravens. Or Broncos in 2005 for that matter.

It's possible that he puts too much pressure on himself in these games. It's possible that rather than just "slinging it" he gets caught up in the magnitude of the moment.

It's hard to say for sure but I don't think it can be elimninated. He DOES look kind of tight to me in season ending losses, even though I always think there are multiple causes of such terrible, sad, horrendous results.

 

[ivanvamp]

The Ravens and Giants defenses MADE the offense "underperform".

Why can't you give credit to the excellent defenses that caused these losses ?

I can. Those teams played well.

The Patriots' offense still woefully underperformed. It can be a both/and and doesn't have to be an either/or.

The Patriots defense is nowhere near the level of those teams defenses, and that's why the Patriots can't win low scoring games anymore.

If the D gives up just 17 and 21 points to the Giants in two successive Super Bowls, yes, we can crap on them for allowing last-minute TD drives in each game, but think about it: if you were told at the start of each of those games that the D would hold the Giants to 17 and 21 points, against a team (NE) that averages well into the 30's in points scored, would you have said that, on the whole, the Pats' D did its job, and wouldn't you have taken that? Wouldn't you have bet that the Pats' offense would produce at least 18 and 22 points in those two games?

Well, they didn't. You'd have lost those bets.

 

[The_Riddler]

The Ravens and Giants defenses MADE the offense "underperform".

Why can't you give credit to the excellent defenses that caused these losses ?

The Patriots defense is nowhere near the level of those teams defenses, and that's why the Patriots can't win low scoring games anymore.

Here's the issue:

In 07 the Pats scored 38 points against the Giants in that last game of the season ? Yet, when it mattered, in the Superbowl, yes, against that same Giants defense, Tommy got the deer in the headlights look again on the big stage and put up 17.

In 10 the Pats scored 45 points against that Jets defense, Yet, when it mattered, in a home playoff game against a hated rival, WHEN THE LIGHTS GOT A BIT BRIGHTER, Tommy puts up 21 and throws a game changing pick on a poorly thrown screen pass that changed the entire complexion of the game.

In 12 the Pats scored 30 points (at Baltimore mind you), yet on the big stage again at the AFCCG on his home field, he puts up 13 points.

It's easy to do the math, these same defenses he torched during the regular season he craps the bed against in the playoffs when the BIG LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.

The bigger the moment, the bigger Tommy's eyes have been getting. This can't be denied. Only the true homer's can deny this.

 

[ivanvamp]

BUT Tom does seem to not bring his best games in AFC Championship games and SBs. He wasn't great against the Ravens last year or the Chargers in 2007. And he wasn't great against the Giants. And he wasn't great against the Jets and Ravens. Or Broncos in 2005 for that matter.

It's possible that he puts too much pressure on himself in these games. It's possible that rather than just "slinging it" he gets caught up in the magnitude of the moment.

It's hard to say for sure but I don't think it can be elimninated. He DOES look kind of tight to me in season ending losses, even though I always think there are multiple causes of such terrible, sad, horrendous results.

Tom Brady in Super Bowls and AFCCGs:

2001 AFCCG: 12-18, 115 yds, 0 td, 0 int, 84.3 rating
2001 SB: 16-27, 145 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 86.2 rating
2003 AFCCG: 22-37, 237 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 76.1 rating
2003 SB: 32-48, 354 yds, 3 td, 1 int, 100.5 rating
2004 AFCCG: 14-21, 207 yds, 2 td, 0 int, 130.5 rating
2004 SB: 22-33, 236 yds, 2 td, 0 int, 110.2 rating
2006 AFCCG: 21-34, 232 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 79.5 rating
2007 AFCCG: 22-33, 209 yds, 2 td, 3 int, 66.4 rating
2007 SB: 29-48, 266 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 82.5 rating
2011 AFCCG: 22-36, 239 yds, 0 td, 2 int, 57.5 rating
2011 SB: 27-41, 276 yds, 2 td, 1 int, 91.1 rating
2012 AFCCG: 29-54, 320 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 62.3 rating

TOT: 12 g, 268-430 (62.3%), 2836 yds, 16 td, 11 int, 83.2 rating
AVG: 22-36 (62.3%), 236 yds, 1.3 td, 0.9 int

That's not terrible, but it's not really very good compared to his usual standards. And it's understandable - he's facing the best competition in the league at that point. It makes sense that his stats would look a little worse. But that's a pretty sizeable dropoff.

What's disturbing is that he's had 6 games (4 AFCCGs and 2 SBs) since their last SB victory, and in those 6 games, only once has he had a rating of better than 90 (2011 SB), and only twice has he had a rating of better than 80 (2011 SB, 2007 SB).

Last 4 AFCCG passer ratings: 79.5, 66.4, 57.5, 62.3

Yikes.

 

[Deus Irae]

Here's the issue:

In 07 the Pats scored 38 points against the Giants in that last game of the season ? Yet, when it mattered, in the Superbowl, yes, against that same Giants defense, Tommy got the deer in the headlights look again on the big stage and put up 17.

In 10 the Pats scored 45 points against that Jets defense, Yet, when it mattered, in a home playoff game against a hated rival, WHEN THE LIGHTS GOT A BIT BRIGHTER, Tommy puts up 21 and throws a game changing pick on a poorly thrown screen pass that changed the entire complexion of the game.

In 12 the Pats scored 30 points (at Baltimore mind you), yet on the big stage again at the AFCCG on his home field, he puts up 13 points.

It's easy to do the math, these same defenses he torched during the regular season he craps the bed against in the playoffs when the BIG LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.

The bigger the moment, the bigger Tommy's eyes have been getting. This can't be denied. Only the true homer's can deny this.

Of course it can be denied, and it doesn't take a true homer to do it. It just takes someone who's willing to actually think. Your premise is absurd. Every playoff game is bigger than a regular season game, and Brady's had some fine playoff games during his "struggles". Brady's eyes were certainly fine, and not "bigger", against the Texans in the playoffs this year, for example.

 

[The_Riddler]

Of course it can be denied, and it doesn't take a true homer to do it. It just takes someone who's willing to actually think. Your premise is absurd. Every playoff game is bigger than a regular season game, and Brady's had some fine playoff games during his "struggles". Brady's eyes were certainly fine, and not "bigger", against the Texans in the playoffs this year, for example.

LOL, ya, makes sense. Houston and Denver in first round home playoff games are HUGE GAMES ??? That is funny. How about addressing the post I put up above instead of talking about Tommy's numbers against CRAP first round playoff teams who probably had no business being in the playoffs in the first place?

Do you have any explanation for what I pointed out above? The bigger the game, the bigger Tommy's eyes have been getting. It's been proven.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Of course it can be denied, and it doesn't take a true homer to do it. It just takes someone who's willing to actually think. Your premise is absurd. Every playoff game is bigger than a regular season game, and Brady's had some fine playoff games during his "struggles". Brady's eyes were certainly fine, and not "bigger", against the Texans in the playoffs this year, for example.

The Ravens and Giants defenses MADE the offense "underperform".

Why can't you give credit to the excellent defenses that caused these losses ?

The Patriots defense is nowhere near the level of those teams defenses, and that's why the Patriots can't win low scoring games anymore.

Yet it's up to the QB and coaching staff to find a way to win against these tough defenses. If they can't do it then they are overrated. Heck the redskins found a way to beat the ravens with a rookie QB, why can't the patriots? What's the excuse next year when the pats face another tough defense in the playoffs? The pats can't beat either the giants or ravens who have knocked them out 4 out of the past 6 years - if the team can't adjust and find ways to beat them a second time around then there is a major problem.

 

[ivanvamp]

Yet it's up to the QB and coaching staff to find a way to win against these tough defenses. If they can't do it then they are overrated. Heck the redskins found a way to beat the ravens with a rookie QB, why can't the patriots? What's the excuse next year when the pats face another tough defense in the playoffs? The pats can't beat either the giants or ravens who have knocked them out 4 out of the past 6 years - if the team can't adjust and find ways to beat them a second time around then there is a major problem.

I would suggest that the Patriots figure out a way to beat these good, tough defenses because just doing the same thing and/or hoping you don't have to play them is not a recommended strategy.

 

[BSR]

LOL, ya, makes sense. Houston and Denver in first round home playoff games are HUGE GAMES ??? That is funny. How about addressing the post I put up above instead of talking about Tommy's numbers against CRAP first round playoff teams who probably had no business being in the playoffs in the first place?

Do you have any explanation for what I pointed out above? The bigger the game, the bigger Tommy's eyes have been getting. It's been proven.

Then why did you bring up the Jets game in 10?

 

[Triumph]

Yet it's up to the QB and coaching staff to find a way to win against these tough defenses. If they can't do it then they are overrated. Heck the redskins found a way to beat the ravens with a rookie QB, why can't the patriots? What's the excuse next year when the pats face another tough defense in the playoffs? The pats can't beat either the giants or ravens who have knocked them out 4 out of the past 6 years - if the team can't adjust and find ways to beat them a second time around then there is a major problem.

The Jets ran the Ravens defense in 2010 post season too.

 

[BSR]

Yet it's up to the QB and coaching staff to find a way to win against these tough defenses. If they can't do it then they are overrated. Heck the redskins found a way to beat the ravens with a rookie QB, why can't the patriots? What's the excuse next year when the pats face another tough defense in the playoffs? The pats can't beat either the giants or ravens who have knocked them out 4 out of the past 6 years - if the team can't adjust and find ways to beat them a second time around then there is a major problem.

What's the excuse? Excuse for what? Your premise that the Pats are supposed to win the SB each and every year? Come back to reality. The team wasn't good enough to win this year. We'll see about next year.

 

[Deus Irae]

LOL, ya, makes sense. Houston and Denver in first round home playoff games are HUGE GAMES ??? That is funny. How about addressing the post I put up above instead of talking about Tommy's numbers against CRAP first round playoff teams who probably had no business being in the playoffs in the first place?

Do you have any explanation for what I pointed out above? The bigger the game, the bigger Tommy's eyes have been getting. It's been proven.

See, you don't bother thinking before you post, and this is more evidence of that. You, yourself, cited the the 2010 Jets game as some part of your proof. That game was, of course, a "first round home playoff game". Also, let's not forget the Denver game from last year. Of course, it's another "first round home playoff game", but the last time I checked, playoff games are big games and that game was a rematch, too, and that's what your argument was looking at.

Instead of just mindlessly jumping to a conclusion and then trying to back it with evidence later, try looking at the evidence first and then reaching a conclusion based on it. The you'll be less likely to have to clown yourself by claiming first round playoff games aren't big games when you've already used one in your argument about big games, and you'll be less likely to have to argue that 12-4 teams are crap teams.

 

[borg]

Tom Brady in Super Bowls and AFCCGs:

2001 AFCCG: 12-18, 115 yds, 0 td, 0 int, 84.3 rating
2001 SB: 16-27, 145 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 86.2 rating
2003 AFCCG: 22-37, 237 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 76.1 rating
2003 SB: 32-48, 354 yds, 3 td, 1 int, 100.5 rating
2004 AFCCG: 14-21, 207 yds, 2 td, 0 int, 130.5 rating
2004 SB: 22-33, 236 yds, 2 td, 0 int, 110.2 rating
2006 AFCCG: 21-34, 232 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 79.5 rating
2007 AFCCG: 22-33, 209 yds, 2 td, 3 int, 66.4 rating
2007 SB: 29-48, 266 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 82.5 rating
2011 AFCCG: 22-36, 239 yds, 0 td, 2 int, 57.5 rating
2011 SB: 27-41, 276 yds, 2 td, 1 int, 91.1 rating
2012 AFCCG: 29-54, 320 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 62.3 rating

TOT: 12 g, 268-430 (62.3%), 2836 yds, 16 td, 11 int, 83.2 rating
AVG: 22-36 (62.3%), 236 yds, 1.3 td, 0.9 int

That's not terrible, but it's not really very good compared to his usual standards. And it's understandable - he's facing the best competition in the league at that point. It makes sense that his stats would look a little worse. But that's a pretty sizeable dropoff.

What's disturbing is that he's had 6 games (4 AFCCGs and 2 SBs) since their last SB victory, and in those 6 games, only once has he had a rating of better than 90 (2011 SB), and only twice has he had a rating of better than 80 (2011 SB, 2007 SB).

Last 4 AFCCG passer ratings: 79.5, 66.4, 57.5, 62.3

Yikes.

Not really G.O.A.T stats are they. In Disney sports movies, the G.O.A.Ts elevate their teams with unparalleled performances, not with Sanchezian mediocrity.

 

[The_Riddler]

See, you don't bother thinking before you post, and this is more evidence of that. You, yourself, cited the the 2010 Jets game as some part of your proof. That game was, of course, a "first round home playoff game". Also, let's not forget the Denver game from last year. Of course, it's another "first round home playoff game", but the last time I checked, playoff games are big games and that game was a rematch, too, and that's what your argument was looking at.

Instead of just mindlessly jumping to a conclusion and then trying to back it with evidence later, try looking at the evidence first and then reaching a conclusion based on it. The you'll be less likely to have to clown yourself by claiming first round playoff games aren't big games when you've already used one in your argument about big games, and you'll be less likely to have to argue that 12-4 teams are crap teams.

First of all, Bill Clinton, can you answer the question? You're dancing around the true issue like a true Clinton, c'mon, man up, you can admit it, you can do it. Answer the question about the Bigger the game, the poorer the Tommy performance. Please you can do it. Don't make an ass out of yourself and ignore it.

Regarding the Jets team (first round game) as you say. I consider that Jet team to be totally worthy, as a matter of fact, they went to the AFCCG. That Jets team was head and shoulders better than that crap Denver or Houston team Tommy had to face (at home). So how's that for an answer. Not to mention, that first round Jets game was yes, against the JETS, WHICH IS MY DAMN POINT (A PRESSURE GAME). Again another HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH IMPACT GAME. AKA The "BIG LIGHTS" we all knew how big that game was, don't give me this crap about the Jets being a light-weight first round opponent.

I can't argue with a homer like yourself, because you'll never get it or admit it, simply because it's Tommy. I understand.

 

[olschool]

Here's the issue:

In 07 the Pats scored 38 points against the Giants in that last game of the season ? Yet, when it mattered, in the Superbowl, yes, against that same Giants defense, Tommy got the deer in the headlights look again on the big stage and put up 17.

In 10 the Pats scored 45 points against that Jets defense, Yet, when it mattered, in a home playoff game against a hated rival, WHEN THE LIGHTS GOT A BIT BRIGHTER, Tommy puts up 21 and throws a game changing pick on a poorly thrown screen pass that changed the entire complexion of the game.

In 12 the Pats scored 30 points (at Baltimore mind you), yet on the big stage again at the AFCCG on his home field, he puts up 13 points.

It's easy to do the math, these same defenses he torched during the regular season he craps the bed against in the playoffs when the BIG LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.

The bigger the moment, the bigger Tommy's eyes have been getting. This can't be denied. Only the true homer's can deny this.

It's got nothing to do with big lights. The Giants and Ravens had it figured out the second time around. Something BB,Weiss and Crennel used to excel at.

It still comes down to the Patriots defense giving up the late game points that is killing them.

 

[ivanvamp]

Not really G.O.A.T stats are they. In Disney sports movies, the G.O.A.Ts elevate their teams with unparalleled performances, not with Sanchezian mediocrity.

It is a disturbing collection of statistics, that's for sure. In those last six AFCCGs/SBs, the Pats are 2-4, the offense has woefully underperformed, and Brady has been, frankly, very subpar.

Not a good trend. Let's hope he and the team reverse that trend next year!!

 

[Deus Irae]

First of all, Bill Clinton, can you answer the question? You're dancing around the true issue like a true Clinton, c'mon, man up, you can admit it, you can do it. Answer the question about the Bigger the game, the poorer the Tommy performance. Please you can do it. Don't make an ass out of yourself and ignore it.

Regarding the Jets team (first round game) as you say. I consider that Jet team to be totally worthy, as a matter of fact, they went to the AFCCG. That Jets team was head and shoulders better than that crap Denver or Houston team Tommy had to face (at home). So how's that for an answer. Not to mention, that first round Jets game was yes, against the JETS, WHICH IS MY DAMN POINT (A PRESSURE GAME). Again another HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH IMPACT GAME. AKA The "BIG LIGHTS" we all knew how big that game was, don't give me this crap about the Jets being a light-weight first round opponent.

I can't argue with a homer like yourself, because you'll never get it or admit it, simply because it's Tommy. I understand.

I've answered the question time and again, and I don't need to repeat it in order to show your argument here to be a poor one. Your argument here was absurd, and you're now pimping the Jets rather than just admitting you were wrong, which is particularly ironic because of your last paragraph. That you are clowning yourself is nobody's fault but your own.

 

[The_Riddler]

I've answered the question time and again, and I don't need to repeat it in order to show your argument here to be a poor one. Your argument here was absurd, and you're now pimping the Jets rather than just admitting you were wrong, which is particularly ironic because of your last paragraph. That you are clowning yourself is nobody's fault but your own.

This is your answer ? I win.

 

[BSR]

First of all, Bill Clinton, can you answer the question? You're dancing around the true issue like a true Clinton, c'mon, man up, you can admit it, you can do it. Answer the question about the Bigger the game, the poorer the Tommy performance. Please you can do it. Don't make an ass out of yourself and ignore it.

Regarding the Jets team (first round game) as you say. I consider that Jet team to be totally worthy, as a matter of fact, they went to the AFCCG. That Jets team was head and shoulders better than that crap Denver or Houston team Tommy had to face (at home). So how's that for an answer. Not to mention, that first round Jets game was yes, against the JETS, WHICH IS MY DAMN POINT (A PRESSURE GAME). Again another HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH IMPACT GAME. AKA The "BIG LIGHTS" we all knew how big that game was, don't give me this crap about the Jets being a light-weight first round opponent.

I can't argue with a homer like yourself, because you'll never get it or admit it, simply because it's Tommy. I understand.

Jets were a 9 point dog. You are delusional if you think they were any more of a quality team than Houston.