Game Day Thread Official Post Game Thread- Colts beat the Pats

[Triumph]

Maybe the pats should have treated it like a big game too.

You lose your momentum and edge after so much time off.

 

[Brotherblues]

We have never heard of and will never hear of the weeks of practices where the players didn’t really give a damn but went out and beat the Jets by 40.

Don't need practice to smash da jete.

 

[Triumph]

This is flying under the radar.

Everyone talks about how difficult it is winning with a rookie QB, but how about winning with a rookie QB who has no binkie on the roster?

Mac is trying with Hunter Henry. Henry is a great piece, but he's not an every 3rd down answer. Brandon Bolden is not it either.

Meanwhile Mac throws the deep sideline pass as well as I've seen. How many have been caught this year and how many dropped?

We need James White.

Bolden does what he can, but I dont get why JJ Taylor never plays? And, if he does, its for 2 or 3 snaps with long intervals in between throughout a game. Rex Burkhead is punching the time clock in Houston. I had hoped that BB would have made a trade for him prior to the deadline.

 

[upstater1]

Can't believe both Agholor and Harry have concussions. This will limit us against the Bills. It sucks to lose and to lose WRs this way.

Mac dumped the ball in the flat late in the game to Stevenson for a quick 11 yards. He did exactly what he should have done on the 2nd INT. The problem with that interception is that he had Stevenson early wide open but he chose to look downfield. He needs to process that open throw in the flat quicker. And I've been saying this all year long because he comes late to the open guys short and prevents them from getting YAC. Especially on a 3rd and 2, you need to go there early.

I blame McD for this since it's been a reoccurring problem for Mac all year and it hasn't been eradicated from his game. Maybe it finally was later in the 4th qtr when he did what he should have always been doing.

Through more reps and seeing the kind of success you can have with RBs getting YACs after short dumpoffs, maybe he'll do it more consistently.

 

[Salsalife]

What happened during the bye week, lose all principles? We shot ourselves in the foot so many times there no toes left. Not a Bill coached performance i usually expect. I would note we screwed up in every aspect of the game, concentration, pre-snap penalties, drops, bad route running, fights and ejections, special teams gaffs... Yikes, no wind in my sail anymore. Plus the ref's put there whistles in there pockets and got our starting wide-outs concussed and no ejections???? Grinch Christmas..

 

[Triumph]

Wynn had a horrible game. Looked like he had cement cleats on.

 

[bigballas]

Of course he’s a great running back, going by college standards. I’m not saying this guy doesn’t belong in the league or isn’t a good NFL running back. I’m just pointing out he’s fairly replaceable, as his backups run wild too. He isn’t Adrian Peterson or Derrick Henry clearly on another level. He’s solid…good speed, elusiveness, power...but not elite in any area. He’d be another running back on 30 teams. The Colts offensive line is spectacular at run blocking. Those holes are huge.

How Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts rushing attack became the NFL's most dominant force

After a slow start to the season, the Indianapolis Colts are off to the races for a playoff spot. Instead of relying on the passing game, the offense is turning to running back Jonathan Taylor.

www.pff.com

"The 226-pounder with 4.39 speed is an absolute terror to watch with a head of steam and a crease. He’s even outclassed Derrick Henry himself with a 3.8 yards after contact per attempt average and a league-leading 44 broken tackles. "

not comparing him to henry but remember he's a sophomore with a crappy QB

 

[50-yard-line]

Game turned out much better than I feared after that atrocious 1st half. A few thoughts:

1. Colts had 226 yards rushing - half of it on 2 plays: the Pittman sweep that absolutely pantsed the Pats and the burst by Taylor at the end. Other than that, the Pats D certainly played well enough to win, but two HUGE mistakes there.

2. Sloppy. Coulda, shoulda, woulda's...Collins drops a pick 6, blocked punt for a TD, stupid penalties...

3. The need for scapegoating on this board is truly absurd.

4. Mac Jones isn't seeing enough of the field - it's like he (Josh?) is narrowing his options. Missed a couple of big ones last night. This is the improvement I think he needs the most next year - and saying that about a rookie is a huge compliment.

5. The Colts played it like a playoff game. All credit to them. They came out flying, and headhunting. They were ready after their bye, the Pats were not. They are a very good football team, well-coached, and built from the inside out, like few other teams are now.

6. If I were a Colts fan (kill me), my favorite player in the Manning era would have been on defense - not Freeney or Mathis, who got most of the ink, but Bob Samders. When he was in, they played at a different level. I feel the same about Darius Leonard with this team. He's always there, always sticking his nose in. Love him as a player.

7. DKF is right about one thing: the Pats need a big centering monster on that DL. This isn't a shot at Godchaux (DKF is dead wrong about him) but he's not a true nose tackle, and I think you need one of those to match up better with the bully teams (TN, Indy, SF). Flank Godchaux and Barmore around a powerhouse middle guy, and everything changes. (Jordan Davis...Jordan Davis...Jordan Davis...)

8. LB is going to be another big need. Having a Leoanrd, a Parsons, etc., elevated Defenses to next level. I think McGrone will be an asset, but if there's a guy out there and you can't get the middle DL you want in the draft, there's my second choice.

9. Jonnu Smith: has there been a game this year where he hasn't had one or more big plays called back? Two last night the OL downfield on nthe screen and the hold on Meyeres (ticky-tack). His movement penalty was egregious, but his fumble recovery was critical. The guy is snake-bit.

10. Square-peg-in-a-round-hole award to N'Keal Harry. Still wondering why they drafted this guy. He doesn't fit their scheme at all. He's also the answer to their red zone woes if they ever figure it out. And I'd take a deep shot to him every game. He is eating up CBs on contested balls when he's squared up. his weakness is on in-cuts (where he keeps getting his head ripped off, and where his size is neutralized on an undercut). Again, if' I've got Herbert or Wilson or Ryan QB'ing, I trade a mid-rounder for him in a heartbeat. He's been targeted 15 times this year (should be 14, as last night's last one...well, more in a moment) and caught 10, three at least being beautiful grabs, and averaging 16.9 per, 11+ per target. he's a weapon they don't know they have. Drives me crazy.

11. The Colts were headhunting last night - they played with playoff intensity. I'm not going to hang it on the refs, though, with one glaring exception: that last play to Harry was BOTH PI and targeting. That was a Brandon Merriweather special. Unbelievable that they let it go. I hope Harry's not done for the next few weeks.

12. Jakobi Meyers...I'm not as big on him as most seem to be. Love him as a #3, or situational guy. Dropped a huge pass last night. It seems like Mac has locked on him and Henry - they fit the EP scheme, I guess, and I really like both of those guys, but neither are game-changers.

13. Agholor was good last night. Hope he's okay.

14. (because 13 is unlucky): there is no 14...oh wait, just thought of one...back to Harry: Mac has missed him on two wide open bomb TDs this year. Just completely missed him. Last night, he ran right by the corner for an easy TD. A few weeks ago, the interception on the under-throw to Smith in the seam had Harry wide open outside. That's what I mean by Mac needing to see more of the field, quicker, AND the scheme narrowing his options.

Stopping New England now means shutting down Henry and Meyers, and Henry and Meyers, good players both, are decidedly not Kelce and Hill.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

For as bad as the Pats were last night and as many good breaks the Colts got its a miracle we were even in it with a chance to get the ball back down 20-17. **** happens. Not too worried about the Colts if we have to face them again

 

[RobertWeathers]

Wynn had a horrible game. Looked like he had cement cleats on.

Cement cleats with those tie on K-Tel roller skates

 

[denverpatsfan]

This Colts team is a serious contender in a wide open AFC. Pats had trouble against the MVP Jonathan Taylor. Glad we had a work Christmas party last night. The 1 seed is now not an option. Bills game at home for the division. Miami game will not be a picnic either.

 

[Tunescribe]

Going back to last year, this team is now 2-4 in December. Mac said they had a bad week of practice and the energy was low. Very un-Patriot like as we head down the home stretch. We literally gave the top seed away.

You're in the wrong forum.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Only positive I take from that game is that they didn't give up and by end of game were playing their brand of ball. Just costly mistakes compounded early in the game that made it real hard to come back from.

To hold that offense blank and score 3 times in under 15 mins in the 4th qtr was going to be really hard to do for this offense and they almost did it.

8 penalties...blocked punt TD and 2 Interceptions ..that's gonna be a tall order to overcome for anyone.

 

[archstanton543]

Tough loss. The Colts handed the Patriots their @ss in the first half, snd the Patriots played their sloppiest game of the year, but I liked the way the Patriots fought back in the second half, and I loved the way Jones responded after the 2 interceptions. He’s a winner, and he played like it in the fourth quarter. That was great run of wins, now they have to go on another one. Should be fun for the rest of the season.

You liked the way Mac responded after the first pick by throwing another one?

 

[archstanton543]

Only positive I take from that game is that they didn't give up and by end of game were playing their brand of ball. Just costly mistakes compounded early in the game that made it real hard to come back from.

To hold that offense blank and score 3 times in under 15 mins in the 4th qtr was going to be really hard to do for this offense and they almost did it.

8 penalties...blocked punt TD and 2 Interceptions ..that's gonna be a tall order to overcome for anyone.

I dunno. Kicking a FG late in the 4th seemed like giving up to me.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Watching that game last night reminded me of the beat down the Chef’s have them in 2014, and my focus was on how they responded in the 2nd half, which while it was far from perfect answered some questions about their character, mental toughness, and rookie QB. Although the Colts were outhitting them early the Patriots rebounded in the second half, and combined with Jones really coming through late showed they have the character, toughness, and QB to be one of the best team’s in the league.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Godchaux is not a nose tackle. Have Davis play NT and Godchaux only play backup DE/DT only when Barmore rests. Barmore should always play over Godchaux despite his expensive horrible contract.

Bentley is also a total waste of space. Collins and Van Noy should always play over Bentley.

.

 

[Huckleberry1]

You liked the way Mac responded after the first pick by throwing another one?

No, I liked the way he responded in the fourth quarter, when he brought them back. He could have folded but he fought through it and gave them a real shot at winning.

 

[archstanton543]

I still don't know why the ref let Wentz run out onto the field without a helmet to yell at Judon without a penalty.

 

[Mike the Brit]

This week will be a learning week for Mac and I'm betting that the one of the things he is taught is not to comment negatively about what went on in practise.