A few unsung things on my second viewing:
- Jimmy G on 3rd and 15 on the final drive. C-L-U-T-C-H. The whole final drive was for him. But that play in particular was incredible. He held that ball for as long as he could and delivered a good throw right before getting smacked from behind by Jones, who had just gotten a sack a few plays prior.
- Speaking of clutch, another big moment equals another big play by Amendola. He was the recipient of the 3rd and 15 pass.. It's all that guy does, along with his always steady ST's play.
- White's catch on 3rd and 3 on the final drive. I have no idea how he hung on to that pass. Big catch that nobody is talking about. Also had a really good first quarter. Good in blitz pick up down the stretch, along with his chip blocks.
- Coleman all night. I admit to being nervous whenever he was in the game because, although he has not been terrible in his young career, he's prone to giving up some big plays. Not last night. If anything, he made two of the bigger defensive plays in the second half, including an almost game-clinching INT that would have been very close to where Samuel let one go through his hands almost a decade ago in the biggest of games.
- Fleming. Look, nobody is ever going to confuse him with Matt Light, but he played very well all things considered. Scar showed already that coaching makes a difference with the whole line. I just wanted to single out Fleming for what was a very decent game played.
- The coaching staff. I know many were upset about the lack a aggressiveness before half. And I know some question the T.O. situation at the end. But they called a great game on both sides of the ball, IMO. Sad to say, both the coordinators are gone after this season.
- Lastly, LG ran hard. If we can get that all season, we're in great shape offensively, especially once TB12 and Dion return.
Watching the game again I have noticed pretty much the same things which leaves me with a somewhat strange/funny/good(?) conclusion:
1. a lot of our guys I expect to be great were only ok, by their standards. LBs, secondary (didn't think MB would be getting beat by Michael floyd, Fitz is tough for Ryan but thought he'd have a little more success against the aging future HoF'er), DTs. Not saying they played poorly, but I think they will only improve from here.
2. many of the guys/positions I thought were weaknesses for us played well. Jimmy of course, O-Line played about as well as we could have expected all things considered, pass catchers despite everyone being banged up and no Gronk, Blount and white definitely impressed me, ST while not a concern was amazing.
More strange stuff:
If you told me we would be -2 in the turnover battle, I'd predict a 2 touchdown loss minimum.
If you told me our offense would play so respectably, sustain some drives, etc. I'd have thought our defense would be lights out. My only concern for the D was if the O was going to consistently put them in bad spots throughout the game. Of course, 2 of their TDs did come on short fields after fumbles.
All in all, nothing but happy about this game. Much more hopeful about the O for the next 3 weeks and still expecting the D to either dominate some games, or just be very good for their "off" games like this one.