Post Game Recap: New England Patriots defeat Baltimore Ravens, 27-21
by MaPatsFan on Oct 4, 2009 8:41 PM EDT
in News
49 comments
If you're looking for three words to sum up this game, "What a battle" does it for me. All week long, we blogged with our friends at Baltimore Beatdown, chatting about their #1 run defense (7th overall), Joe Flacco's performance to date, and how NE would have a tough time offensively. All of that was true. But, we did just enough to come out with a W. There certainly were mistakes on both sides of the ball, but I felt this game was the gritty matchup it advertised to be and we all had quite a show, if you ask me.
All week long I felt 2 things needed to happen: the defense needed to press Joe Flacco and Tom Brady needed to find that magical connection with his receivers. Both happened, to varying degrees. Nothing about this game was stellar from a statistical perspective, but the right things happened at the right moments to propel the team forward. So, onto the ups and downs.
I'm experimenting with the format a bit and decided "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" was just too hard to manage, so Ups and Downs it is.
The Ups
- Defense - Overall, our defense looked really good, holding the Ravens to 14 points (the other 7 from a Tom Brady fumble and Ravens recovery in the end zone). Brandon McGowan and Brandon Meriweather were all over the field, making tackles and pressing receivers when needed. Gary Guyton is turning into a beast at MLB. It's definitely Jerod Mayo's job, but isn't it good to see Gary coming up in the world? In a 3-4, both Mayo and Guyton at ILB would be a strong, young partnership.
- Tom Brady - 21/32 and 258 yards, 1 touchdown is not great, but it was good enough to march them down the field when they needed it. And tell me you weren't pumped to see Brady float that TD pass to Randy Moss! Brady correctly read that Moss was in single coverage and the defender was grossly out gunned. A thing of beauty.
- Passing - Not one receiver, tight end, or running back cracked 100 yards in the air, but Brady did a masterful job of spreading the ball around where he needed to. Wes Welker had some nice catches in critical circumstances and Ben Watson continues to be clutch. One of the biggest surprises was how effective running backs were as receivers. In particular, Sammy Morris, often split wide, had 5 grabs for 35 yards.
- Rushing - Our run game, as predicted, was nothing to write home about. 85 yards to be exact. But, Belichick used the ground game to unbalance Baltimore and guess what? You can have 2 yards rushing, but if they're for touchdowns, it doesn't matter. Did I mention 2 of our TDs were on the ground against the #1 run D? And Tom Brady had one of them no less!
- Red Zone - 3/5 in the red zone is a heck of a lot better than 1/5 last week against Atlanta. All week we've been talking about efficiency in the 20 and we got it today. We all would like to see every trip result in 7, but the percentage is heading in the right direction.
The Downs
- Laurence Maroney - Even in kickoff return duties, El Mo continues to struggle, dancing and bouncing off of blockers in front of him. 7 for 6 yards with a long of 5 is not good, no sir. It's especially not good when "old man" Fred Taylor has 7 for 25 and Tom Brady gets 5 for 11. I'm very close to calling Maroney a bust.
- Tom Brady fumble - Protect.the.quarterback!!! Luckily, we had a 10 point lead at the time, but Matt Light got abused by Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs. In a close game, this could've been the difference between a win and a loss. Matt Light HAS to have Brady's back if he's going to work the left side (blind side).
A gritty, hard fought win. What are your ups and downs? What were you happy about? Has Brady shaken off the rust?
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I disagree.
We don’t need another slow linebacker. We need youth.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Oct 4, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially not when McGowan is playing like he is
That big, strong hybrid LB/SS type that knocks TEs around. Still, having Seau as a standing reserve who can jump in at short notice if necessary is useful. His “I’ll only come back for the Patriots” stance is like having him on the squad but without paying him or burning a roster spot. Sweet.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 4, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe he'll use Galloway's roster spot
But I’m with you… I like our linebackers
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 4, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he's only in there for run stopping and QB pressure, he'll be fine
and his experience could be very valuable. His energy and enthusiasm can really pump up a defense.
However, I don’t want to see him dropping back trying to cover anyone at this point.
Reports are that he’s in great shape still, but I just can’t believe he’ll still have the fast footwork needed for coverage.
by mmmmm on Oct 5, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe they're light on back-ups
if there’s another injury at some point. It’s still a rumor right now though, right? I don’t think it’s definite.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's already said that he'll come back into the fold, but expected it to happen in November
So he’s available only to the Pats, as necessary, when and if they need him. That’s why I don’t see it happening – they don’t need to sign him at the moment, and they know he’s available to the Pats only when they need him. He’s not like a valuable free agent they need to sign yesterday; there’s no pressure to sign him now, especially if you need to cut someone to do it. I don’t see there being a rush.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't know if it is related
but Prescott Burgess just went back to the Ravens
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now he'll be getting the sodium pentathol from THEM
“What did the Pats teach you? Can’t remember? We need to do… a blood test. Yes. A blood test…”
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm they taught me to miss tackles and stand flat-footed in coverage.
Well if that’s what the Pats do, we’ll teach all of our linebackers to do that. Bwahaha.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's genius!
How did we miss it? So simple. Now, please take the red pill.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So how come your name is Comedic.Sans (without)
when you are so obviously with?
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Flight of the Conchords teaches the world anything
it’s that deadpan irony is my nation’s gift to global humour.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kinda like the Germans, I suppose
but without the evil.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny story about Sans
A friend of my wife’s (before she was my wife) was scouting me out for her. She asked what I was doing and I said writing poetry (long family history of that). She asked if it was for my girlfriend (pretty subtle, that). I said, “No, I’m sans girlfriend right now.” She had a really strange expression on her face, and asked me to repeat that. I said, “I’m sans girlfirend, you know, without a girlfriend.” She let out a sigh of relief and said she thought I said, “I was Sam’s girlfriend”, and she was pretty sure I was straight. I laughed and assured her I was. She went back to my future wife with her scouting report (straight and available) and the rest as they say is history.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably a good thing you sorted it out then.
“I’m Sam’s girlfriend and I write poetry” is a novel approach to picking up women. I should look into it.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only if
You use your sarcasm font.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious
I would have had you pegged all wrong then. I mean “wife” could mean anything nowadays, at least in Massachusetts. Girlfriend, on the other hand is pretty straight forward. Good thing she stuck around for the clarification. haha
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder about the scouting report
What round pick were you? I’m not sure whether you’d prefer to be a first-round Maroney or a sixth-round sleeper Brady.
Brady’s scouting report was something like “noodle-armed, too skinny white boy.” Baha.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The round would depend upon how many guys my wife passed up for me.
A smart guy doesn’t ask those questions. We’re happy now, and that’s good enough.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wisdom that a lot of reporters could learn
So, Mr. Belichick, how is Brady’s throwing shoulder?
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought there was a lot with which to be pleased.
Overall, a marked improvement from the first three weeks (and nothing less would have been enough).
The sack was a shame because I feel that Light had an very good game overall. It was Kaczur that had the roughest day in my opinion. That said, the o-line coped extremely well with one of the finest, most talented front seven now in the game.
Defensively, more improvement. There were times when they were caught out, but overall, we’re watching what is a very young defense mature before our eyes. Baltimore offers a more balanced test than they ever have before and Flacco is going to be an excellent — not very good, excellent — quarterback for a long time in this league. Our guys did very well.
We don’t have a corner that can hang with Mason. But we managed to adjust and account for that and our young (or new) safeties had a big part in that. Merriwether, McGowan and — surprise, surprise — Butler all showed improvement throughout the game. Merriwether and Butler are very fast. McGowan is showing signs of Harrison-like explosiveness.
As you pointed out, Gary Guyton has continued an upward trajectory and it’s really a pleasure to watch. I think it’s hard when you know you’re not the coach’s first choice. But he’s gotten better every week. He’s not yet at a marquee level and I don’t know that he’ll ever be there — not that he won’t, but right now he’s playing well. He seems to be in the right place at the right time and that’s more than half the battle at the middle position.
Our D got it done when they had to, but I’m still not crazy about how far our corners play off their marks. It lends itself to 8-yard pickups on 3rd down, and our 3rd down percentage continues to be abysmal. We absolutely must lock that down.
Offensively, things got better. But I’m going to lay this on the coordinator: our play-calling is still not quite on the money. The glaring example of this was our failure to get a first down in the 4th after the defense had an incredible 4th down stand. When Brady over-threw Welker on 3rd, I don’t know if there was more than one other receiver in the pattern. Even if there was, there are myriad ways to overload the medium zone to guarantee an option (we’ve often succeeded on goalline situations in the past with patterns that address that), and it didn’t look like Brady had many besides WW.
To me, that speaks to the transition still in progress from the Josh McDaniels days. We’re now on our third combo (Weiss, McDaniels, and now just Bill). I don’t think Bill is at his best calling plays. He’s still got defense in his DNA and it sometimes shows in his play-calling (although he’s got enormous brass balls when he needs them). It’s going to take some time.
Overall, I give them a B on the day, but a B in a masterclass against a really tough opponent who helped us out by matching us gaffe for gaffe. Thanks for that, Baltimore. Hope we see you in the playoffs.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Oct 4, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's how this defense is designed to play
Our D got it done when they had to, but I’m still not crazy about how far our corners play off their marks. It lends itself to 8-yard pickups on 3rd down, and our 3rd down percentage continues to be abysmal. We absolutely must lock that down.
This is basically by design. Bellicheck has this defense architected to do 3 primary things well:
a) No big downfield plays – hense Bodden & Springs were brought in. Have you noticed how LITTLE their names have been called int he first 4 games? Yes Mason had success in the first drive but then they cheated a little help on him and he was shut down the rest of the way.
b) No running up the middle. Obviously this is all about Wilfork (and Mayo when he gets back). Even with Guyton, they’ve done a great job at stuffing the run up the middle.
c) Pressure on the QB from the edges (Banta-Cain, Burgess, Wright).
The side effects of these foci are that:
1) they are a little soft against running to the edges and screen and sideline passes due to over pursuit.
2) if Bodden & Springs are able to take away the deep ball solely through man coverage, then our safeties get to cheat up and take away the edges or even help on blitz packages.
Yesterday, our corners ended up needing a little help (for the first time) on Mason (what Fountain of Youth has HE been drinking from???), which opened up a little room underneath at times and that is what you saw. But overall the defense did exactly as they were designed to do.
Take away the 50 yd breakaway run by Rice and the defense would have only surrendered 66 yds rushing. Yes it counts. But you have to look past that to see the real performance.
Most importantly, for the 4th straight game, the Patriots Defense has surrendered 17 pts or less. That’s solid.
On offense, I agree – I thought Light had a very good game. At some point though, you have to hand it the other guys. Suggs just plain beat him on that play and guys of his caliber are hard to shut out for a whole game.
I was also pleased that we ran it 30 times. Even though that was for ‘only’ 85 yds, it was a very effective 85 yds. I just wish we had run it a third time on the three-&-out on our posession just before Baltimore’s last drive. Even if they still didn’t make it, they could have consumed another 30 seconds off the clock with a running play right there, which as it turned out would have really put the pressure on the Ravens.
I agree with the assessments that its hard to keep holding out faith in Maroney. In his first play from scrimmage I saw him get well setup to hit the line and he clearly hesitated for a split second and it all closed up on him. He needs to just hit the line hard and good things would happen. He looks great in the open field, but unless you are fearless hitting the line, you can’t be an every down RB in the NFL.
by mmmmm on Oct 5, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McGowan is impressive
He’s turning out to be everything I hoped (and still hope) Chung is going to be. A smart, play making, hard hitter. I feel very secure with him and Meriweather back there.
by BigRedDog42 on Oct 4, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ravens' Ed Reed and Ray Lewis blame the officiating for giving the Patriots 14 points
Not cool. I’ll put this in my links tomorrow, but thought I’d include it here now. There are mainly three plays in question:
The Ravens thought the Patriots were given too good of a spot when they executed the fake field goal. Harbaugh thought they shouldnt have been given a first-down spot, which would have given the Ravens the ball on the six-yard line.
Ed Reed thought that the Willis McGahee 4th-and-1 run that was stopped by the Patriots, should have been a first down but was given a bad spot by the referees.
Ray Lewis was upset at both of the roughing-the-passer calls made against the Ravens, calling them an “embarrassment to the game” and directly attributed those calls to giving the Patriots 14 points.
Personally, I didn’t like those calls either, but I didn’t like the ticky-tack roughing-the-passer penalty called against Mike Wright for the same reason. It’s not one team being favored by the refs, the problem is a misguided rule that needs to be applied consistently to every team until it gets changed. I know players are emotional after a loss, and the media is right there with a microphone to pick up every single emotional word that spills out after a game. But those words will probably cost Lewis and Reed and Harbaugh each a letter from sheriff Goodell with a fine attached.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 4, 2009 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If you don't want to lose to bad spots.
Then make sure the play isn’t in question. Officiating is an x factor, you just go to do well enough so that is has less of an effect.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
by Mainiac on Oct 5, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you never hear Patriots players - or their coach - whine about penalties
Belichick tells his players they can only worry about what is in their control. A “bad call” isn’t something they can do anything about so they have to let it go and concentrate on what they can do. A sound philosophy all around.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and besides...
those “good spots” “bad spots” were subjective at that point last night. The teams won’t know until they sit down and watch the film. It’s like the strike zone in baseball. Every team gets a few of those called in their favor or against them at some point throughout the game, it’s a given – not specifically conspiritorial to the Ravens-Patriots last night.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you never hear Patriots players – or their coach – whine about penalties
uhhh, because they never get them. You Pats fans can say it’s because you’re too good to do that, but others say it’s because Brady tells the refs when to throw flags (as evidenced by his smiles afterward). That said, it wasn’t the reason we lost. The interception at the end of the first half was inexcusable, plus the dropped ball on 4th down stung like hell!
Tell me though, were you just unloading in your trousers as we drove down the field at the end? It was a great game and while you won, we still earned “points” for playing you so tough in your crib and are still atop the AFC North with the home game with the Bengals to put us back alone in 1st next week.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
were you just unloading in your trousers as we drove down the field at the end?
Yes.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Oct 5, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not true about the patriots never getting penalties (and you know it)
Patriots do get bad calls and bad spots and no calls – just like every other team in the league except the Colts. As a follower of your own team, you just don’t see it objectively or don’t want to see it.
What was unequivocally true is that last drive was indeed load-dropping and heart-stopping. Ravens would have had the first down and two, maybe three tries to get that ball into the end zone.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Ravens were in the game the whole way
There is now way we could have had enough points on the board to be “comfortable”. That last drive was tense.
We left points out there, you left points out there. Officiating is what it is. You can’t live with it and you can’t shoot it.
I’m sorry you had an injury. I hope Jared Gaither recovers, initial indications looked good.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
AGAIN!
if anyone read my comments on other articles in the last couple of days … i said that this going to be tough game BUT i had a breez of a good feeling about it … I have never seen a whiner team like the Ravens .. really … it is embarrassing Mr Lewis that you couldnt stop TB from scoring a TD, you even missed him on his scramble and showed your true dirty personality … do you thing if the Pats recievers didnt drop the balls or TB was a little more accurate in the game they played with the Jerks from NY, maybe they would won the game ! … come on grow up Mr Lewis … you know its a shame that you put it in the referees hands … if you want to think that way, i can remember calls that were truely harsh and phantom against the Pats and in a much bigger games … the PATS never sat and whined about the referees … stand up like a man and take it like a man … :) … take it all the way like a man … all the way Mr lewis emotional leader my a..s. really you are making it more stisfying by whinning. you are in the dust now … next to the undefeted (for now) Broncos, next weeek predictions … PATs record 4-1, and the broncos 4-1.
by DeepThreat2u on Oct 5, 2009 6:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rag on my Ray Ray all you want
but just like every other team in the league, you’d love to have him on your team. Face, you’re about to sign Junior Seau!!!! What is he, coming out of the assisted living facility to play again! Yeah, you won and Ray did complain about the refs, but he just said what everyone, including Brady was thinking, the refs were horrible in calling penalties and spoting the ball. But did it cause my Ravens to lose? No, your good plays and our bad ones were the difference. No excuses here, as I am known on The Beatdown for refusing to EVER blame the refs for a game’s outcome. However, you have to agree that the call against Suggs was not only not a penalty against him, it should have been a block in the back from whomever on your team threw him into Brady’s knees and the calls against both Ngata and your guy for roughing were bogus as well.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not ragging on Ray Lewis
Belichick, Brady and the Patriots have tremendous respect for Ray Lewis. He is an intensely competitive, emotional (as well as physical) player and that’s hard to cork up after a game, especially when there are enough microphones around waiting to capture every last word.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 5, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
any more calls
so .. any more calls you like to blame the refs for? …. look … its one thing to say the refs made bad calls on both teams like the when no 99 Mr Wright was called for roughing the passer on Falco … while in fact it was a friendly slap … its another thing is to BLAME THE WHOLE LOSS ON THE REFS … you wont hear the ravens whine in Green Bay when they lose … i guess there is plenty of cheez there … the Pats are still there on the top .. and i am glad they lost the game with the NY Jerks … i hated the undefeated season talk the jinxed us and TB … we dont want the spot lights like 2007 .. at the end i liked 2001,2003 and 2004 more … but to be honest … the 2007 will always be one memorable season .. i always go back and watch the highlights of that season … wow .. amazing …
we realy looking forward to a game that brings back those memories and the high that came with it .. too bad Baltimore will never know how it felt … let me go back and live my dreams again … it really brings the smiles on my face …
by DeepThreat2u on Oct 6, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ray's just emotional
and speaking from the heart as his team’s leader. They naturally feel like they were this close to winning it and you rationalize that by blaming x factors like the officiating. Its sort of a quick denial phase to go through in dealing with a loss.
Lewis is a great linebacker, one of the all-time greats, imho. I personally wish he was on the Patriots because after living in B’more and watching him carry that team to it’s 2000 SB win, I don’t think I’ve EVER seen a defensive player as good as he was that year – and he still is one of the best in the game. He, imho, was the true MVP of all of the NFL the 1999-2000 season.
I’m also glad his team lost yesterday. :-D
by mmmmm on Oct 5, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
pass rushing was good
Our pass rush in the first half was excellent. Flaco was constantly under pressure. What an improvement in that area from the first three weeks.
Also, no one has called out Banta-Cain. He made some plays as I recall.
It is worth signing Junior Seau, if for no other reason, there will be injuries and he already knows the system.
Get pumped up for the Donkeys next week. That one won’t be easy.
by RabidPatsFan on Oct 5, 2009 8:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just like today's game
that game will be tough for the road team. If yesterday’s game was in Baltimore, the outcome would have been reversed as we both play better at home.
Denver is a pretty decent team, with big play ability. Don’t be put off by the change from Cutler to Orton as playing in Denver is just a tough place to play. Unless of course, Brady brings “his” refs with him!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DEN
No doubt it will be a tough game in Denver. But so far, we have yet to see if the Donkeys are really a worthy 4-0 team. CIN, CLE, OAK, and DAL. Nothing much to write home about there except maybe “the boys”.
by RabidPatsFan on Oct 5, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless of course, Brady brings "his" refs with him!
Part of any every NFL QBs job is to work the ref with the white hat. Every QB talks with them constantly.
The crew that worked yesterday’s Pats-Ravens game just happens to be the crew that is 2nd in most penalties called and that is their history (independent of what teams are playing). They are not “Brady’s refs” because they call it tight every game they officiate at. Basically, they are a crew that holds the players to the rules tightly and calls it by the book. Harbaugh would have been well aware of that going in because the teams know in advance which Ref crew will be officiating at each game. Part of his job is to prepare the team for that so they know not to do dumb things that this crew would not let them get away with.
Heh – yes, there is another ref crew that throws even MORE flags …
by mmmmm on Oct 5, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TB
lol … Unless of course, Brady brings "his" refs with him! … thats a real good one … lol
by DeepThreat2u on Oct 6, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why sign him now?
He’s already basically said he’d only sign the Pats, and he would prefer coming into the team in November as necessary. Why do they need to get him now? If and when they get injuries, sure. But when everyone is either healthy, or returning to health, I don’t see why they need him at this second.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 5, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now you're sounding like a broken record.
Unless of course, Brady brings "his" refs with him!
And a whiney one at that. What happened to:
No excuses here, as I am known on The Beatdown for refusing to EVER blame the refs for a game’s outcome.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pats played well, but O play calling made the game closer then it could have been.
Not taking anything away from the Ravens in saying that, what I am trying to say is the Pats didn’t put as much pressure on the Ravens as they could have when they had the lead.
While the Pats did run 30 times in this game, it was when and how they run that made this game closer then perhaps it should have been if they dedicated more to the run:
- Too many straight runs out of the shotgun/passing formations. Single serving runs that don’t set up play action and are actually better used later in the game when you’ve established a passing rhythm out of the shotgun.
- Not enough runs on first down. Need develop patterns out of running formations to keep the D honest to it later in the game.
- Not enough running plays with the lead. Especially not later in the game when Baltimore had used it’s TO’s on challenges.
Two plays specifically showcase the lack of run commitment in this game hurting the Pats/made the game harder:
Brady Fumble to TD. Where to start here:
- Should have been a run, not a play action run. Deep in your own end, with a 10 point lead, under 7 minutes in the 3rd, your D playing well and forcing long drives you should be running the ball to make time an issue along with points for the Ravens. Especially given the field position.
- You haven’t run enough on 1st down or with Brady under center to even make play action effective. So you’ve just reduced the amount of time he has in the pocket, while the defense continues to come right at him. Light got beat on this play, but the play calling didn’t help him or Tom much.
- If you are going to pass deep in your own end, you should be using the shotgun/quick route formation where Brady is less likely to take a sack because field position is also a factor in the game.
Really it was a terrible and unnecessary play call – it was like they felt they should run a play action without actually remembering you actually have to have RUN the play before you can have ACTION on the play.
Final Pats Drive:
- Here they’ve run for two the first two plays, there’s about 3:40 left on the clock and they pass. I don’t recall the routes run, I know someone said they didn’t put enough routes into the field, to me its more about managing against your opponent here.
With 3:40 left and Baltimore with 1 TO left, you run on 3rd down and force Balitmore’s hand and make time a serious issue for them. If they don’t call a time out here, they are going to get the ball with enough time to run 1, maybe 2 plays before the two minute warning. If they call the TO there, they only have the 2min warning left. Either way they have a long field with limited time and options offensively.
Not saying everything would have absolutely been easier, but I don’t think the Pats made it as difficult as they could have for the Ravens.
by JonnyNYC on Oct 5, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
tend to agree
Like I said above, I am glad that they ran it 30 times which, relative to the first two games of the season, represents a commitment to the run.
But yeah, I would like to have seen more first-down runs and less “we’ll run a draw from a passing down” runs. The latter says you don’t trust your run blocking mano-a-mano. Which I think is ridiculous – this is a very good run blocking line.
I also (as I also said above) totally agree on the final 3rd down of the Pats drive. I was thinking the exact same thing. They could have chewed up another 30 seconds off the clock or forced a timeout by Baltimore if they had run it right there. And who knows? The Ravens blitzed on that play, a running play may have slipped past for a first down.
At any rate, the play calling has gotten a little better each game.
by mmmmm on Oct 5, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Belichick's improving his calling
He started off rusty, and he’s getting his groove back.
In saying that, I hope he reads your little analysis; it’s quite a nice breakdown of what he did, and when, and it also suggests that if he had done a few different things at different times, a lot of the issues would be corrected.
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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