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Its after Thanksgiving and we expect to see our team start to play "Patriot Football". For almost 2 decades now the Pats have OWNED December. Since 2001 the Pats have won around 64 games in December and the #2 team (Pitts) isn't close. BTW- It's not like the Pats suck in September, October and November either (though lately September has been a trial) But it's been in December where the Pats have shown why they've been to the AFCC 12 times in 16 playoff seasons.
We know that this isn't the best team we've had in the last 5 years. We all see the flaws that often frustrate us to no end. And this game isn't going to send the media into singing paeans to the Gods about the 2018 Patriots either. Nothing seemed to stand out. Yet they beat a very talented team by 14 points and left us lamenting that it wasn't by more.
So now the Pats are 9-3 guaranteeing the team's 18th straight season of playing better than 500 football. Only the Cowboys (20) have ever had more. And given that Dallas did most their run before full FA and the age of "parity", what the Pats have accomplished is even more remarkable. So why is it that the Pats do so well in December. IMHO, its the team's mental toughness (hence the title.
)
But let's take a moment (or three) to talk about what that term actually means. It's not just one of the most cliched terms in all of sports. It's a combination of several factors that allow the Pats to get passed a lot of issues that derail a lot of teams this time of year. Among them should include: COACHING - the whole "attention to detail" and "accountability" thing we hear so much about from the Pats are NOT cliches. They embody and buy into these attributes from the pre-season camps, to TC, and as well as into the season.
So when December rolls around and every player is banged up in some fashion and teams start to pull back a bit from the physical requirements they ask of their players, the Pats keep running up that hill in both metaphorical and reality terms. So in another sense part of that "mental toughness" comes because the Pats are outworking their opponents.
I think the key thing we have to keep in mind, it it were easy to duplicate what the Pats do to prepare for games, they wouldn't have 18 straight years of winning seasons. Just look at the cultural adjustment issues Matt Patricia/Quinn are going through in Detroit. Whether Matt can establish that work ethic eventually will determine if his tenure will succeed or fail.
TEAMBUILDING - is another factor. Clearly, what the Pats ask their players to do is NOT for everyone. That doesn't make you a bad person or a bad football player. But finding the people who WILL buy in is a key element in this team's success. In this day and age, it isn't easy to find good players who are willing to sublimate their egos and their personal agendas for the good of the team. Stats get you paid, and you aren't likely to get the kind of stats that will get you big paydays here.
But enough of this. We've been talking about the "Patriot Way since 2001. It hasn't changed. But the fact they've been able to keep it going for at least 3 iterations over the last 2 decades is certainly noteworthy. But it's time to break THIS game down.
1. General offensive notes - Josh's play calling for most of the first 20 minutes boarded on genius. They completely kept a very good defense off balance and moved the ball pretty much at will. Only drops and penalties stopped the Pats during this time. But once again their recent inability to get the ball in from the red zone was really frustrating.
Now it isn't that they weren't always successful. You are never going to be ALWAYS success in the red zone. The other guys get paid too. But it is frustrating in that when you have 3 REALLY good red zone threats in Gronk, Gordon and CP, and you don't try and get them the ball; it can drive you a little nuts.
Gordon didn't get a target in the first half, nor was their much of a play action pass game (after the first drive). In fact there were hardly any downfield passing in the first half. Maybe it was just part of the plan. Keep running the ball and throwing short for most of the first 3 quarters and then explode on them, just like they did and get out to a 14 point lead and then sit on it.
I can almost hear McDaniels listening to my rants in the game day thread, and turn to me and say, "slow your roll, dude. I got this. I'm just biding my time. This isn't turning out to be a shoot-out game. When the time is right, I'll step on the gas and end this." And he did.
In the end the offense took one of the top 3rd down defenses in the league and converted 50% of their 3rd down plays, and it really should have been even better than that.
2. QB- For the first time in a while I LIKED what Brady did at QB. I liked that in those 2 TD drives he once again was stepping up into the pocket, buying time and throwing the ball downfield. This was a very good front seven and the Smith hit was about the only time Brady was hit hard, and that was the result of a mental error by Trent Brown or so he said after the game.
Brady completed 75% of his passes and was pretty much in control the entire game. And I will NOT talk about Brady cracking the 1000 yd rushing plateau like everyone else will be doing.
3. OL - Another great job by the OL vs the excellent Viking pass rush. Zero sacks and very few hits and pressures, the OL once again held up well in their pass blocking. Run blocking wasn't as good, but effective enough amass 160 yds to SEVEN different rushers. Again this was against a REALLY good front 7.
4. RB's - No one stood out, but in this case the sum was greater than the individual parts. Sony did a very workman-like job, imho. I really like the fact that he generally gets all that there is to get on most runs. I think his vision is excellent as well as the fact that he is decisive and runs hard. On the other hand, he isn't an "explosive" runner who gets many yards on his own. Hard to watch what Cook accomplish and not think, "well THAT's what a first round RB should look like"
That being said, I'm glad he's on the team and we are better when he is in the lineup than when he isn't. However, watching him on the GL, I'm wondering if we took the right Georgia RB in this draft? Perhaps when/if they expand his receiving role down the road, we will see his true potential.
Good to have Rex back. We needed his depth dearly. Got his feet wet tonight.
Awesome receiving Game by JWhite, and he ran well too, but clearly we need a bigger RB to get the ball in from inside the 5, neither White, Michel, or Burkhead is really the answer there....and so enter James Devlin. Clearly what the Doctor ordered....at least for this game. But the lack of the guy who can consistently get you that GL/3rd and short tough yardage is a gap in this offense that I'm not sure we will see solved this year.
5. Receivers - 7 different rushers, and NINE different receivers. Only White came close to 100 yds of which about half came at the end of the first half.
Between his multiple penalties and him not getting that half yard that cost the Pats 7 points at the end of the half, this wasn't Gronk's finest hour. Good to see him fight back after he got dinged, but for some reason he didn't seem to be "into it" tonight. Anyone else think that?
Watching CP make that great downfield catch tonight made me wonder (again) why he isn't more of a part of the downfield receiving corps. He is tough, willing, has great speed, size and hands combination. Clearly he is willing to be coached and do so many different things in this offense. So WHY hasn't he been able to find a spot in a regular WR rotation. It's not like he's a rookie. But he's been with 3 teams now and THIS is his best offensive season, and he's still seems to be just a "gadget" guy. I keep wondering if he can't be more.
6 General Defensive observations - I was worried about the defense before this game. I mean look at all elite skill players the Vikings have. Theilin, Diggs, Roudolph, Cook combination is as good as we will see this year. So holding them to just 10 points is a REAL accomplishment. Big kudos to Flo and the other defensive assistants. They had a great defensive game plan and with the exception of that last drive of the first half shut down what SHOULD be a very explosive offense.
I loved to see the the rolling amoeba defense make a reappearance after several years. Hard to figure out who had what responsibilities by in the end it seemed to work quite well. The Pats didn't have great pressure on Cousins, but it wasn't bad and certainly more than what the more heralded Vikings front put on Brady.
I also loved the fact that the Pats didn't lock on a specific receiver this game. Sometimes it was Gilmore on Theilin, sometimes it was JMcCourty, sometimes it was Jackson. Same went for Diggs and Treadwell.
7. Front Seven. - This was the best pass coverage by the LB's this season, imo. For example, Cook averaged over 9ypc on 9 rushes, yet averaged less that THREE ypc on 8 catches and 10 targets. That's not only great coverage, that's great Tackling and we saw how tough Cook was to tackle when he ran. In fact only Rudolph averaged over 10 yds per catch vs the Pats in this game and his longest came against great coverage and a spectacular catch.
Like I said the front had enough pressure to force Cousins to constantly throw the ball underneath and some of sacks came from well designed blitzes or stunts. The best example was Flower's sack when he came underneath from the DE spot to get free up the middle for a big sack.
Hightower had one of best games of the season tonight. His play to tackle Cook for a loss on a pass was encouraging to see. That is what you EXPECT to see from your premier front 7 player.
Finally, Lawrence Guy continues to impress me with his consistent good play. He was ROBBED of the stuff of Murray on that 4th down and short. He and Brown (I think) moved the LOS back good half yard and stood Murray up and back. Too bad the refs missed that.
8. DB's Maybe their best game of the season as a group. I can't help but marvel at the play of JC Jackson in that game. He made several plays last night matched up on some good WR's including Theilin and Diggs. Hard to believe he was an UDFA at his size and speed. What is he, 6'1? That's a big CB and no one could get by him deep. Still very raw, but he definitely be the next UDFA who will be asking for big money.
Gilmore was routinely great again. He tackles so well, almost as well as he covers. I think Jason had Theillin most of the time and clearly did a great job. 10 targets, 5 catches for just 28 yds is remarkable against a guy who IIRC has had nine 100 yd games this season. The only mistake ended up being Theilin's score at the end of the half. I think Jason misread his route on that play and let him get outside him in the corner. But aside from that, he did a spectacular job.
JJ might have gotten out of the dog house with his pick and once again Harmon managed to scavenge another pick. He seems to get so many of those, doesn't he?
9. ST's Bad miss (for him) by Gottskowski on the 48 yarder. That wasn't close. But that was about the only flaw in a rather good showing by special teams group. CP got the ball close to the 40 a few times and always past the 25 on the balls he returned and JE had a nifty 20 yd punt return that set up the 2nd TD, and lost an even better return due to a penalty. Allen was pretty flawless in his directional punts.
10. I thought the announcers did a good job in this game. Troy questioned things I thought should be questioned including the Murray stuff that wasn't and explained certain plays well, like the bust by TBrown on the Brady pick. In other words I didn't hate them, like I do some of the CBS crews. Romo is still my favorite ex-Cowboy QB analyst though.
11, The missed first down call aside, I wasn't horrified by this referee crew. They let them play downfield like I like, and though I thought there were too many holding calls, most were deserved. I wouldn't hate seeing them down the road.
12. I watch some of the Pittsburgh/Charger game. I stopped at half time so I could write this, so I'm kind of stunned (and happy) to see that the Steelers must have blown this game. I can hardly wait to revel in it tomorrow morning. Couldn't happen to a better organization.
BTW- don't look now but there are THREE 9-3 teams chasing the Chiefs for the #1 seed. The Chargers are very quietly having one hell of a year. No small feat to go into Pittsburgh and beat them, especially when you are trailing 23-7 at half time.
13. Miami coming up. Wouldn't seem to be a big problem EXCEPT the fact that the Pats have generally sucked in Miami in recent years. Lets see what happens
OK. I'm done. Too late to go back and edit, so pardons in advance for any grammatical errors. Enjoy (or not ) but either way, add your comments, complaints and opinions
We know that this isn't the best team we've had in the last 5 years. We all see the flaws that often frustrate us to no end. And this game isn't going to send the media into singing paeans to the Gods about the 2018 Patriots either. Nothing seemed to stand out. Yet they beat a very talented team by 14 points and left us lamenting that it wasn't by more.
So now the Pats are 9-3 guaranteeing the team's 18th straight season of playing better than 500 football. Only the Cowboys (20) have ever had more. And given that Dallas did most their run before full FA and the age of "parity", what the Pats have accomplished is even more remarkable. So why is it that the Pats do so well in December. IMHO, its the team's mental toughness (hence the title.
)But let's take a moment (or three) to talk about what that term actually means. It's not just one of the most cliched terms in all of sports. It's a combination of several factors that allow the Pats to get passed a lot of issues that derail a lot of teams this time of year. Among them should include: COACHING - the whole "attention to detail" and "accountability" thing we hear so much about from the Pats are NOT cliches. They embody and buy into these attributes from the pre-season camps, to TC, and as well as into the season.
So when December rolls around and every player is banged up in some fashion and teams start to pull back a bit from the physical requirements they ask of their players, the Pats keep running up that hill in both metaphorical and reality terms. So in another sense part of that "mental toughness" comes because the Pats are outworking their opponents.
I think the key thing we have to keep in mind, it it were easy to duplicate what the Pats do to prepare for games, they wouldn't have 18 straight years of winning seasons. Just look at the cultural adjustment issues Matt Patricia/Quinn are going through in Detroit. Whether Matt can establish that work ethic eventually will determine if his tenure will succeed or fail.
TEAMBUILDING - is another factor. Clearly, what the Pats ask their players to do is NOT for everyone. That doesn't make you a bad person or a bad football player. But finding the people who WILL buy in is a key element in this team's success. In this day and age, it isn't easy to find good players who are willing to sublimate their egos and their personal agendas for the good of the team. Stats get you paid, and you aren't likely to get the kind of stats that will get you big paydays here.
But enough of this. We've been talking about the "Patriot Way since 2001. It hasn't changed. But the fact they've been able to keep it going for at least 3 iterations over the last 2 decades is certainly noteworthy. But it's time to break THIS game down.
1. General offensive notes - Josh's play calling for most of the first 20 minutes boarded on genius. They completely kept a very good defense off balance and moved the ball pretty much at will. Only drops and penalties stopped the Pats during this time. But once again their recent inability to get the ball in from the red zone was really frustrating.
Now it isn't that they weren't always successful. You are never going to be ALWAYS success in the red zone. The other guys get paid too. But it is frustrating in that when you have 3 REALLY good red zone threats in Gronk, Gordon and CP, and you don't try and get them the ball; it can drive you a little nuts.
Gordon didn't get a target in the first half, nor was their much of a play action pass game (after the first drive). In fact there were hardly any downfield passing in the first half. Maybe it was just part of the plan. Keep running the ball and throwing short for most of the first 3 quarters and then explode on them, just like they did and get out to a 14 point lead and then sit on it.
I can almost hear McDaniels listening to my rants in the game day thread, and turn to me and say, "slow your roll, dude. I got this. I'm just biding my time. This isn't turning out to be a shoot-out game. When the time is right, I'll step on the gas and end this." And he did.
In the end the offense took one of the top 3rd down defenses in the league and converted 50% of their 3rd down plays, and it really should have been even better than that.
2. QB- For the first time in a while I LIKED what Brady did at QB. I liked that in those 2 TD drives he once again was stepping up into the pocket, buying time and throwing the ball downfield. This was a very good front seven and the Smith hit was about the only time Brady was hit hard, and that was the result of a mental error by Trent Brown or so he said after the game.
Brady completed 75% of his passes and was pretty much in control the entire game. And I will NOT talk about Brady cracking the 1000 yd rushing plateau like everyone else will be doing.
3. OL - Another great job by the OL vs the excellent Viking pass rush. Zero sacks and very few hits and pressures, the OL once again held up well in their pass blocking. Run blocking wasn't as good, but effective enough amass 160 yds to SEVEN different rushers. Again this was against a REALLY good front 7.
4. RB's - No one stood out, but in this case the sum was greater than the individual parts. Sony did a very workman-like job, imho. I really like the fact that he generally gets all that there is to get on most runs. I think his vision is excellent as well as the fact that he is decisive and runs hard. On the other hand, he isn't an "explosive" runner who gets many yards on his own. Hard to watch what Cook accomplish and not think, "well THAT's what a first round RB should look like"
That being said, I'm glad he's on the team and we are better when he is in the lineup than when he isn't. However, watching him on the GL, I'm wondering if we took the right Georgia RB in this draft? Perhaps when/if they expand his receiving role down the road, we will see his true potential.
Good to have Rex back. We needed his depth dearly. Got his feet wet tonight.
Awesome receiving Game by JWhite, and he ran well too, but clearly we need a bigger RB to get the ball in from inside the 5, neither White, Michel, or Burkhead is really the answer there....and so enter James Devlin.
Clearly what the Doctor ordered....at least for this game. But the lack of the guy who can consistently get you that GL/3rd and short tough yardage is a gap in this offense that I'm not sure we will see solved this year.5. Receivers - 7 different rushers, and NINE different receivers. Only White came close to 100 yds of which about half came at the end of the first half.
Between his multiple penalties and him not getting that half yard that cost the Pats 7 points at the end of the half, this wasn't Gronk's finest hour. Good to see him fight back after he got dinged, but for some reason he didn't seem to be "into it" tonight. Anyone else think that?
Watching CP make that great downfield catch tonight made me wonder (again) why he isn't more of a part of the downfield receiving corps. He is tough, willing, has great speed, size and hands combination. Clearly he is willing to be coached and do so many different things in this offense. So WHY hasn't he been able to find a spot in a regular WR rotation. It's not like he's a rookie. But he's been with 3 teams now and THIS is his best offensive season, and he's still seems to be just a "gadget" guy. I keep wondering if he can't be more.
6 General Defensive observations - I was worried about the defense before this game. I mean look at all elite skill players the Vikings have. Theilin, Diggs, Roudolph, Cook combination is as good as we will see this year. So holding them to just 10 points is a REAL accomplishment. Big kudos to Flo and the other defensive assistants. They had a great defensive game plan and with the exception of that last drive of the first half shut down what SHOULD be a very explosive offense.
I loved to see the the rolling amoeba defense make a reappearance after several years. Hard to figure out who had what responsibilities by in the end it seemed to work quite well. The Pats didn't have great pressure on Cousins, but it wasn't bad and certainly more than what the more heralded Vikings front put on Brady.
I also loved the fact that the Pats didn't lock on a specific receiver this game. Sometimes it was Gilmore on Theilin, sometimes it was JMcCourty, sometimes it was Jackson. Same went for Diggs and Treadwell.
7. Front Seven. - This was the best pass coverage by the LB's this season, imo. For example, Cook averaged over 9ypc on 9 rushes, yet averaged less that THREE ypc on 8 catches and 10 targets. That's not only great coverage, that's great Tackling and we saw how tough Cook was to tackle when he ran. In fact only Rudolph averaged over 10 yds per catch vs the Pats in this game and his longest came against great coverage and a spectacular catch.
Like I said the front had enough pressure to force Cousins to constantly throw the ball underneath and some of sacks came from well designed blitzes or stunts. The best example was Flower's sack when he came underneath from the DE spot to get free up the middle for a big sack.
Hightower had one of best games of the season tonight. His play to tackle Cook for a loss on a pass was encouraging to see. That is what you EXPECT to see from your premier front 7 player.
Finally, Lawrence Guy continues to impress me with his consistent good play. He was ROBBED of the stuff of Murray on that 4th down and short. He and Brown (I think) moved the LOS back good half yard and stood Murray up and back. Too bad the refs missed that.
8. DB's Maybe their best game of the season as a group. I can't help but marvel at the play of JC Jackson in that game. He made several plays last night matched up on some good WR's including Theilin and Diggs. Hard to believe he was an UDFA at his size and speed. What is he, 6'1? That's a big CB and no one could get by him deep. Still very raw, but he definitely be the next UDFA who will be asking for big money.
Gilmore was routinely great again. He tackles so well, almost as well as he covers. I think Jason had Theillin most of the time and clearly did a great job. 10 targets, 5 catches for just 28 yds is remarkable against a guy who IIRC has had nine 100 yd games this season. The only mistake ended up being Theilin's score at the end of the half. I think Jason misread his route on that play and let him get outside him in the corner. But aside from that, he did a spectacular job.
JJ might have gotten out of the dog house with his pick and once again Harmon managed to scavenge another pick.
He seems to get so many of those, doesn't he? 9. ST's Bad miss (for him) by Gottskowski on the 48 yarder. That wasn't close. But that was about the only flaw in a rather good showing by special teams group. CP got the ball close to the 40 a few times and always past the 25 on the balls he returned and JE had a nifty 20 yd punt return that set up the 2nd TD, and lost an even better return due to a penalty. Allen was pretty flawless in his directional punts.
10. I thought the announcers did a good job in this game. Troy questioned things I thought should be questioned including the Murray stuff that wasn't and explained certain plays well, like the bust by TBrown on the Brady pick. In other words I didn't hate them, like I do some of the CBS crews. Romo is still my favorite ex-Cowboy QB analyst though.
11, The missed first down call aside, I wasn't horrified by this referee crew. They let them play downfield like I like, and though I thought there were too many holding calls, most were deserved. I wouldn't hate seeing them down the road.
12. I watch some of the Pittsburgh/Charger game. I stopped at half time so I could write this, so I'm kind of stunned (and happy) to see that the Steelers must have blown this game. I can hardly wait to revel in it tomorrow morning. Couldn't happen to a better organization.
BTW- don't look now but there are THREE 9-3 teams chasing the Chiefs for the #1 seed. The Chargers are very quietly having one hell of a year. No small feat to go into Pittsburgh and beat them, especially when you are trailing 23-7 at half time.
13. Miami coming up. Wouldn't seem to be a big problem EXCEPT the fact that the Pats have generally sucked in Miami in recent years. Lets see what happens
OK. I'm done. Too late to go back and edit, so pardons in advance for any grammatical errors. Enjoy (or not
) but either way, add your comments, complaints and opinions
