Rambling comments about things already hashed and re-hashed, Super Bowl LI.

[Patjew]

I just noticed this critical play with 5:00 in the game.

The Falcons were pinned deep, but hit Freeman in the flat. The Pats failed to cover him, and Elandon Roberts and another player collided and fell down. Freeman took off down the sideline, juked one CB and was on his way to a TD, when Roberts tracked him down.

Nice bit of hustle that hasn't been mentioned much.

You just noticed that play??

 

[Doctor DDS]

I am not disputing that they had been outplayed through 3 quarters just that the differential was no where near as wide as the score indicated. And I definately do not believe that a couple bad quarters warrants a change in strategy/approach to their personnel. Nothing wrong with wanting to get bigger and/or faster but to look at a porous Atlanta defense as some sort of template because of a handful of stops and a couple turnovers is not something I buy into.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I am not disputing that they had been outplayed through 3 quarters just that the differential was no where near as wide as the score indicated. And I definately do not believe that a couple bad quarters warrants a change in strategy/approach to their personnel. Nothing wrong with wanting to get bigger and/or faster but to look at a porous Atlanta defense as some sort of template because of a handful of stops and a couple turnovers is not something I buy into.

You are right that they shouldn't change scheme, strategy or philosophy but if there was a game they needed a little more sideline to sideline speed and coverage ability at LB it was that one.

 

[Julius]

You just noticed that play??

I just noticed that two Pats defenders fell down and Elandon got back up and made a TD saving play.

 

[Patjew]

I just noticed that two Pats defenders fell down and Elandon got back up and made a TD saving play.

It was a great hustle play for sure, my friend.

 

[rads2005]

On the other side, the DPI call on Campbell defending Bennett when Brady was trying for the winning touchdown from the 15 yard line was not completely obvious to me. Aikman said it was the right call as defender DeVondre Campbell didn't turn around to make a play on the ball. Campbell also had his hand/arm up in Bennett's face but he didn't hold Bennett. I thought at that moment in the SB the zebras may let that one go. Glad they didn't of course. Campbell at 40 seconds in the video below says he thought he made a great play (of course).

I'm surprised at this comment. I saw others say this when someone linked to the Falcons board too.

To me this was obvious pass interference. There was no play on the ball by Devondre Campbell. He didn't just have his hand up in Bennett's face, he was clearly pressing his arm into Bennett's left shoulder and body and prevented Bennett from reaching his arms up higher to grab the ball.

Just look at 19:14, the slow-mo replay. His right arm slams down on Bennett's left shoulder and body. That's interfering with the pass before the ball gets there, and the only way it's not pass interference is the leeway they give defenders if they turn their heads to look at the ball.

 

[rads2005]

I just noticed this critical play with 5:00 in the game.

The Falcons were pinned deep, but hit Freeman in the flat. The Pats failed to cover him, and Elandon Roberts and another player collided and fell down. Freeman took off down the sideline, juked one CB and was on his way to a TD, when Roberts tracked him down.

Nice bit of hustle that hasn't been mentioned much.

Honestly it was the least Elandon could do to hustle, given he was the one who blew the coverage on Freeman.

 

[rads2005]

What struck me a couple days ago watching the replay for the first time is how the Falcons weren't really dominating the Pats but were up 28-3. Yes, every play is a part of the game, but overall the Pats were playing even but the Blount fumble, pick six, Butler pass interference, etc. were uncharacteristic critical plays that had made the score lopsided.

 

[aluminum seats]

As good as their free agency signings have been, I am still concerned about the offensive line and the linebackers

Yep, those would be the main areas to look at right now. O-line for depth and future, and the center could be upgraded. Linebacker would have been a fright if HT hadn't re-upped.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

• Missed extra point
• Botched onside kick attempt with illegal touching by Gostowski
• Ridiculously risky punt return by Chung (caught the ball Willie Mays style for no reason, eight near the sideline)
• Total breakdown in coverage on the referenced Freeman play
• The Edelman catch probably should have picked...thrown into triple coverage and off Alford's hands
• Not really a "bad play". But Gostkowski's 33 yard field goal in the fourth quarter made it inside the upright by about a foot. More on that thought: would you rather have had him kick an extra point to tie the game at the end, or need the two point conversion with Brady and the offense? Gostkowski just was not looking good on his accuracy despite some excellent kickoffs. Imagine a second straight postseason exit due to a Gost missed extra pint.

 

[Raymond]

I'm surprised at this comment. his right arm slams down on Bennett's left shoulder and body. That's interfering with the pass before the ball gets there, and the only way it's not pass interference is the leeway they give defenders if they turn their heads to look at the ball.

Nobody will argue that. However, I was shocked that was called in that spot, with a SB on the line. I have bad..........although fading memories of blatant O-line holding on a miracle helmet catch in the dark past that was never called.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

That was blatant PI. Needed to be called, otherwise, there is no such call.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Yes..cant toss a flag on every play. At least thats what seattle says.

It's what NE said in 2001-2004, so we're not in a position to complain about it.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Atlanta's D played classic bend but don't break. They gave up no backbreaking long plays, instead forced the Pats to execute repeatedly on large play-count drives, hoping to force a turnover or give up a FG at worst. We've watched the Pats do this for years, so it's not shocking a Dmitroff/Pioli-run team would try the same.

It worked like a charm. Atlanta gave up short play after short play, first down after first down...and then the Blount strip. And then the outstanding design on the pick 6. And then 2 sacks after first and goal to force a FG. It may not have been dominating, but it lead to a dominating result. It was intentional. It was very Patriots-like.

Which makes what the Pats did in those last 9 minutes of the 4th quarter and OT remarkable. They had to come back against their mirror image.

Regards,
Chris

 

[bormio]

That was blatant PI. Needed to be called, otherwise, there is no such call.

Totally agree. Arm draped across his chest before the ball got there, never turned around. Ball otherwise easily catchable. Textbook PI - total BS if ref lets that go.

 

[bormio]

You are what the score says you are - at the end of 3 Atlanta led 28-9.