The Offense Was Lights Out

[rookBoston]

Somehow this thread turned into a review of the D, although OP was on the terrific display from the O.

- The Bills game plan played to what Brady does best: spread 5-wide, quick release, quick tempo. They really put the game in his hands, and he came through... of course.

- The Bills were very physical with our receivers, and I mentioned in another thread that Edelman and Gronkowski both seemed pretty bruised up by the second half. The Bills defenders were the ones in pain on the turf, but you could tell that our guys were getting beaten up pretty good.

- Dobson had a bunch of really clutch receptions and first down conversions that impressed me. But I'm still down on him, perhaps unfairly. There was one pass where Dobson took a deep slant and Brady put it in the perfect spot. Dobson hauled in the pass and went to the turf to be sure of the first down. Good play. But I was pissed that he didn't catch the ball in stride and turn it into a 30 yard play. He had a lot of space in front of him. Just reinforces my sense that Dobson is soft. He needs to take some lessons from Edelman. I'd honestly rather have KT out there playing that role.

- I love the fact that the Pats obviously have a whole other side to them that they haven't unveiled for the league yet, with a power running game that keys off the soon to be famous 4 TE set with Blount as the featured back instead of Lewis or Bolden. I'm excited for the Colts game, on the assumption that Blount is going to break all time records, running behind 4TEs. I picked him up in my FF league just for that one game.

- They ran a 4TE pass for Chandler in the red zone, and it was a close miss. Then, McDaniels went back to EXACTLY the same play again on the very next snap, and the defender knocked the ball out of Chandler's hands. They had to take a FG. That sequence was very important, I think. (1) Calling the same play back to back was a complete disrespect to the D... basically, we don't care if you know what's coming, we just dont think you can stop it. (2) The fact they targeted Chandler for the matchup is good news... shows confidence in him. (3) The fact that it didn't turn into a TD was disappointing. When the team puts that kind of weight on your shoulders, you HAVE TO make the play. Hopefully, that lesson is learned now. (4) If that had been a TD instead of a FG, it would truly have put the game away. It's the type of thing that can let a team come from behind.

- Underappreciated was the number of times that Brady pulled receivers off the line and put them into pass protection. Gronk and Edelman were pulled tight against the line to pick up blitzers more than a few times. That's the kind of thing that completely diffused the Rex Ryan defensive front and blitz schemes

- Anyone else surprised how well David Andrews is standing up to NFL pro-bowl DTs as an undrafted rookie? Gave up a false start and a holding penalty, but I'm prepared to forgive him for that because his pass protection is solid, and he's making the right calls from Center. Saw him and Brady headbutt after a TD pass. The guy sure looks like he belongs, to me. I'm hella-impressed. How did this guy go undrafted.

 

[supafly]

Is it me or does it seem seem like every week in a game that NE goes up 2+ scores in the 3rd BB just sits back (purposely) with the intent to 1) Not give up the big play. 2) Eat the clock on multiple receptions (as planned) 3) Embrace deception based prevent D rather than passive time wasting one in in hopes of forcing a TO, aided by applying #1 nad #2 law of numbers that the more plays you force them to make (as long as its not a big hitter) every play increases your chance of winning the game. 4) Factor in the offensive potential of scoring a few more points and wasting clock in case #1,2 and 3 falter.

In the end NE gets the W, but there is so much hang-wringing. Yes the score tightens up, but as clock keeps ticking away. Oh no, The D numbers get inflated with a few big risky plays that hit and runs of successful completions on soft contain coverage, but really all part of the plan. Time pressure mounts, forces a mistake, but the INT that seals the game never gets talked about. But wasn't that the plan really?

Only Belichick and Patricia likely know the finer nuances of the defensive gameplan, but I'm guessing that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I don't think it's quite as passive as it appears, but I definitely think you're onto something as it pertains to the "master plan." Great point.

In today's case, I didn't mind the offense going for it on fourth and one to seal the game from midfield, but I certainly didn't care for the specific play call. Actually, that was one of two instances where we had a 2 TD+ lead in the game today and went for it on 4th and 1 with long, downfield throws. If the latter instance is converted, then we likely don't give up 1-2 touchdowns there at the end.

 

[supafly]

Well... except we've never seen him bump and run. He plays one hell of a Center Field.

Yes, I was thinking the same. He's a good selection for the big nickle package in terms of playing deep. Either way, it's good to see him continuing to some progress.