Why did the Patriots place heavy emphasis on the running game in the first half?

[PatsFanSince74]

Ok, that makes sense for the first half, they treated it as an experiment. Why then did they completely throw away the running game and sling it non stop in the second half? Did Jackson even see the field in the 2nd half? Why was there not a lick of balance when the game was well within reach?

Plan A didn't work and, uncharacteristically, they pushed the panic button at the beginning of the second half. A bad day at the office for the Coaching staff.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

To get real game footage to coach from in the next two weeks. Imagine if the Patriots went all out spread the past two games to try and run over the Jets and especially the Dolphins. I think for a forward thinking coach thta would be a critical mistake considering the VERY unique situation of having a brand new feature running back for playoffs. They bought a horse, so they better learn how it rides before competing for real.

No matter what they see in practice against their own defense, that pales in comparison to the breakdowns they get from footage from a real opponent.

I think they will use that first half against the Dolphins to look at changes the line needs to make to work for Jackson.

I truly believe that Belichick is setting the league up with an onslaught for playoffs and the investment cost was 1 regular season loss. I cannot help but suspect a mix of quick strike, deep seam play action will be unleashed. This playoffs will be about timing. I expect murder the first game.

Jodee

That's really reminds me of the story about the the kid who comes into the living room on Christmas morning, sees a pile of horse manure and starts jumping up and down with joy. When asked why he's so happy, the kid responds, "Because with all this horse ****, there's got to be a pony around here."

They ended the season 2--4.
They had an o line that could neither protect the Franchise or open running lanes.
They were without several of their primary weapons on offense for weeks.
They had an incomprehensible game plan in the final game.

This is the Patriots. They'll get it together, I believe, and be a threat in January and, with a little luck and if a few things break right, might even get back to the SB. But let's not try to read anything more into how this season ended.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

I think Goog is in trouble to keep his job as O line coach. His squad is absolutely putrid and seem to get worse every week,