BobDigital
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2013
- Messages
- 16,350
- Reaction score
- 15,044
This game had a lot of big plays but the key sequence was the goal line stand. It was 6-17 and it would have made it a 4 point game before the half if they got that TD. This imo was the time looking back which decided the game. Pitt after this point was completely demoralized and the offense would not see the endzone again till late in the 4th. This was a momentum killer which took a lot of fight out of them.
Vincent Valentine made the 2 biggest defensive plays of the game here back to back when needed most. At 1st and half a yard he force his way into the backfield for a 1.5 yard loss (he was not in on that but made the hole which opened the gap for others to tackle him behind the line. Yes a guy coming off the edge made the first contact but the lane Valentine opened has Patriots in front of him filling it too). On 2nd and 2 he forced his way into the backfield again for a 4 yard loss. This brought up a very stoppable 3rd and 6.
After the stop the game really turned into the Patriots favor. What a great pick this kid has been. Showing a lot of impact as a rookie. His meassurables are great and potential exceeds Browns and Branch. I hope he really takes a big step next year and he has been the most underrated story of the year for this team.
Vincent Valentine made the 2 biggest defensive plays of the game here back to back when needed most. At 1st and half a yard he force his way into the backfield for a 1.5 yard loss (he was not in on that but made the hole which opened the gap for others to tackle him behind the line. Yes a guy coming off the edge made the first contact but the lane Valentine opened has Patriots in front of him filling it too). On 2nd and 2 he forced his way into the backfield again for a 4 yard loss. This brought up a very stoppable 3rd and 6.
After the stop the game really turned into the Patriots favor. What a great pick this kid has been. Showing a lot of impact as a rookie. His meassurables are great and potential exceeds Browns and Branch. I hope he really takes a big step next year and he has been the most underrated story of the year for this team.
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