Good post. Meyers had two HUGE drops yesterday. That fourth down pass and then the one in the end zone that cost them a touchdown.
Brady normally hits that pass to Edelman in his sleep. So here's the thing...
1. The O-line is really really bad. And it is affecting EVERYTHING. It impacts the offense AND the defense, because they can't sustain drives and the D has to constantly come up huge. That they've started giving up more points and yards isn't surprising...not just because they're playing better competition but because the offense has gotten worse.
2. Brady simply isn't TOM BRADY anymore. It's just a fact. It's ok...when protected, he's still good, and with the rest of this team being what it is, "good" should be enough, but it's not. He's not good enough to carry what this offense has become with the injuries and losses and terrible OL play.
3. The skill players are really struggling. Meyers dropping passes. Sanu's injury slowing him down. Michel and Burkhead unproductive. Tight ends giving them virtually nothing. Harry nearly invisible. Normally TOM BRADY is enough to lift them, but, well, see point #2 above.
4. The loss of Andrews, Develin, Gronk, Allen, and Trent Brown has been devastating for this offense. That's five *premier* run blockers at their respective positions all GONE. Add to that the decline of Mason and Cannon (for various reasons) and their attempts to turn into a power running team have just gone off the rails. Honestly, if their receivers were still what they are, and they were successful running the ball, this team would be almost impossible to beat. But.........
5. The AB situation really has come back to bite them in the ass. He'd be PERFECT as a *player* for what they need. But the crippler was the lost cap space that made it impossible to get other help at needed positions. It was worth the risk but the downside has really risen up to hurt them.