Game saving play II, and were you right or wrong ?

[scott99]

I haven't seen this talked about, but there was a HUGE game saving play before THE game saving play by Butler. On Marshawn Lynch's run from the 5, Hightower got Lynch down at the 1 yard line when it looked like he was running into the end zone. It turned out to be a HUGE play.

My second part of this thread is about, were you right or wrong about your pre-SB analysis ? I saw the score 41-24 in my head, and then amended it to 31-24, so I was close. That being said, I really thought our offensive line would be able to get a running game going against their fast but light defense and defensive line (obviously I was wrong). I was kinda right about screen passes against their rush though, I was happy to see that. Vereen looked like Kevin Faulk vs the Eagles 10 years ago. I thought Collins would spy Wilson, but it was really several guys including Ninkovich and Hightower.

How right or wrong were you ?

 

[ALP]

i think the running woes were w/ Blount rather than the run blocking...i think Gray would have had a decently better time at it than Blount did last night

 

[buile]

My first prediction was Pats 28-24. I figured we'd have a 4 point lead, and Seattle driving for a TD in the last possession, but the D would hold. A couple days before, I amended the score down, trading a TD each for a FG for a 24-20 final.

My "bold prediction" was Lynch putting one on the ground for the key turnover, but more likely a Nink sack or forced fumble to seal the win in the red zone.... As for a game-saving INT, I wouldn't have been surprised, but figured it would be Revis or Collins.... This is a *standard* script for a tough New England championship win, so I can't credit myself with any Nostradamus ability

 

[buile]

P.S. I did NOT envision another freaking Miracle Catch as part of the final threat... jeeezus you had to be effing kidding me.... I'm lucky i didn't break anything.

 

[gitgronked82]

I called 24-20. not too bad, eh?

 

[Lavictoire]

I posted last night on the game thread about Hightower taking down Lynch. It was a HUGE play! I had the game DVR'd and went back to see who made the tackle.Now I find out Hightower was playing injured. What a fantastic play! No guarantee they would have punched it in with Lynch. About time things went our way. Bellichick's situational practices paid big dividends.

 

[BTTA]

I posted last night on the game thread about Hightower taking down Lynch. It was a HUGE play! I had the game DVR'd and went back to see who made the tackle.Now I find out Hightower was playing injured. What a fantastic play! No guarantee they would have punched it in with Lynch. About time things went our way. Bellichick's situational practices paid big dividends.

Now that you mention it, that play was just as difficult and just as important as Butler's, particularly given the injury.

Well done, Mr. Hightower!

 

[Lavictoire]

Now that you mention it, that play was just as difficult and just as important as Butler's, particularly given the injury.

Well done, Mr. Hightower!

Amen. After the freak catch, Bellichick showed confidence in his defense to stop them in a situation most would deem a lost cause. The defense rose to the occasion.

 

[Todd Bradley]

It was actually Akeem Ayers who made the play, I believe.

I mentioned this in the game threat last night. The silent, unsung hero of the game, a cast off from the Titans.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

It was actually Akeem Ayers who made the play, I believe.

I mentioned this in the game threat last night. The silent, unsung hero of the game, a cast off from the Titans.

Ayers finished it, but Hightower did an fantastic job of fighting off a block from an OLman and getting a hand into Lynch's legs and tripping him up. He doesn't do that and Lynch likely drives through Ayers for the TD.

 

[PatCat]

I called 27-24 pats. Everyone patted me on the back for being so close lol

 

[doesntmatter1]

Our breakdowns caused the game to go differently than I thought. I truly thought we were going to shut them down and we actually were but then this Chris Matthews mofo started ruining everything. I thought the Seahawks would score about 17 and that it would be 4th quarter garbage scoring once we relaxed. Collins and Jones played much worse than I expected and their breakdowns are what allowed Wilson to get going. Lastly, I thought Brady would go the entire game dinking and dunking but without throwing an int.

Almost forgot. I didn't expect Blount to go crazy but definitely be more productive than what we got. Just happy we WON DA fREaking game. I'm still amped up about it.

 

[dliverey]

I predicted 31-17 pats with Marshawn having 125 yards and 2 td's. I thought Blount would have more yards and a td. I thought Brady would throw a pick and so would Wilson and a figured that Wilson would have more rushing yards than he did. I also thought after the Kearse catch that it was over, but I said please throw a pass.

 

[Fencer]

I haven't seen this talked about, but there was a HUGE game saving play before THE game saving play by Butler. On Marshawn Lynch's run from the 5, Hightower got Lynch down at the 1 yard line when it looked like he was running into the end zone. It turned out to be a HUGE play.

I also started a thread to mention that play.

One noteworthy aspect was that Hightower stopped Lynch with a diving hard hit more than wrapping him up. Perhaps not coincidentally, http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...layed_with_torn_labrum_for_two_months_surgery says that Hightower tore his labrum in the Green Bay game and hasn't really been able to wrap anybody up since.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

i think the running woes were w/ Blount rather than the run blocking...i think Gray would have had a decently better time at it than Blount did last night

I thought the same when they announced Gray inactive. His quick cut-and-go running matches up better vs Seattle's speed. The fact that Belichick didn't care to use him, knowing that, sucks for Gray. I also believe that Belichick had the short passing game to #34 in mind pregame. It worked well in place of the run.

 

[Real American Hero]

I refused to predict the game. After the Giants games, I just said no predictions, and I did pretty solid picking the games ahead of the SB.

That said, I was confident we would pull this out because it felt more like the years we won than the last two. Loads of hype for the other team, it was kind of like the opposite of the first win. Seattle's potential dynasty, their defense defense blah blah, it's like deflategate made everyone forget about just how badly the Pats manhandled the Colts who were a top rated offense themselves.

 

[Fencer]

I thought the same when they announced Gray inactive. His quick cut-and-go running matches up better vs Seattle's speed. The fact that Belichick didn't care to use him, knowing that, sucks for Gray. I also believe that Belichick had the short passing game to #34 in mind pregame. It worked well in place of the run.

McDaniels is quoted as saying the backs were expected to catch a lot of passes.