A few things:
1.) Between the onside kick and the pick-6, the offense had fewer opportunities to score than the Packers, and the TOP was wildly in favor of Green Bay. That factors into the offense struggling to find a rhythm. N.E. still put up more than 30 points.
2.) This is a run defense that's only a strong point in comparison to the pass defense. The margin for error, particularly because Ty's been gone all season, is razor thin. In both losses this season, and in tonight's surprisingly close game, it's been opposing teams having the ability to run the ball that's been key. That being said....
3.) Without Brace and, to a lesser extent, the other missing D-linemen tonight, the Packers were able to focus their efforts on Wilfork and key their running game off of him. By locating him, they were able to run the ball down the Patriots' throats. This game would have been completely different with Brace there to help anchor against the run on first downs.
4.) Terrible officiating in the game tonight but, then again, there was a lot of terrible officiating around the league this weekend.
5.) The tackling of the back 8 was frequently a problem tonight. I expect that will be a point of emphasis this week.
6.) Tate continues to underwhelm. Tonight was precisely the sort of night where a receiver who can break loose over the top would have been able to make a real difference, and Tate wasn't up to the task.
7.) BJGE's long run was a beautiful thing to watch. Between the great blocking and the open field cutback read by BJGE, it was almost textbook.
8.) In the "Thank you very much" category, Arrington's pick-6 would never have been possible if the Packers receiver had run out his route instead of pulling up when Chung flew by him. Instead of a defensive penalty for illegal contact/PI, it became 7 points for the Patriots.
9.) Welker seemed a bit off tonight. I wonder if 3 straight weeks of colder weather has had an impact, or if it was just an off game.
