Patriots 45 Broncos 10: Grading the Offense

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST in Patriots Game Reports

[Editor's Note: We'll be finishing our Broncos-Patriots review this afternoon, then moving into more on the Ravens and the AFC Championship game coverage starting this evening and carrying through Sunday.]

Grading the Patriots' offensive performance from the Patriots' 45-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Playoffs:

Passing Offense:

Tom Brady started the game 8-8 for two touchdowns. He finished the game by tying an NFL postseason record with six touchdown passes on 26/34 passing. Aside from one small stretch in the beginning of the second quarter, Brady was nearly perfect, and without a doubt, delivered his best passing game of the season.

Rob Gronkowski had huge numbers: 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Wes Welker, Deion Branch, and Aaron Hernandez all had productive games while scoring their own respective touchdowns. The Patriots offense operated out of the no huddle most of the game and the Patriots' offensive line was superb in keeping quarterback Tom Brady upright.

Grade: A+

Rushing Offense:

The Patriots, overall, ran the ball effectively against the Broncos. They used Aaron Hernandez as a halfback when operating out of the no-huddle, and he ran for 61 yards on 5 carries. Stevan Ridley and Danny Woodhead had some minor production (although Ridley lost a fumble), and while BenJarvus Green-Ellis had just 27 yards on 13 carries, he broke some tackles and generally did what was asked.

Overall, not a great game from the rushing offense, but when the passing attack was as stellar as it was on Saturday, there's no reason to really complain.

Grade: B+

Overall Offensive Grade: A

For most of the game, the Patriots were unstoppable on offense. They came out strong, they finished strong, they never let their foot off the gas. While the Patriots didn't dominate the time of possession, they didn't need to. The defense played well, but the offense put up so many points so quickly, that it wouldn't have even mattered if the defense had struggled.

Poll

What grade would you give the Patriots' offensive performance from the team's Divisional Playoff victory over the Broncos?

A

524 votes

B

46 votes

C

2 votes

D

2 votes

F

8 votes

582 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

B only because of the 2 turnovers

against better teams, turnovers are killers

by Joel Korson on Jan 18, 2012 2:29 PM EST reply actions

Oh look, trolls are voting.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 18, 2012 2:55 PM EST reply actions

Fat rex told his season ticket holders to vote

"Thirty-seven points on the best defense in the league, suck my d–k" - Bill Belichick

'You are banned from Gang Green Nation'
"You can browse the blog, but you can't participate."

"BANNED LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by BostonBeasts on Jan 18, 2012 2:59 PM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs

Nah...

if they were voting, they’d have at least three super bowls by now.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 18, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

It appears that we possess 22 trolls.

Perhaps we can trade them for a 5th rounder for next year.

by FlyNavy on Jan 18, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rip off

These are tough, hardened, dedicated trolls. A 5th rounder this year and a 6th round next, at least.

Can I Scream?

Follow @FoxMcCloud86

by Adam Fox on Jan 18, 2012 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Go check out the NFL films clip of that first drive

Hernandez and Brady bounce the handoff off of Herndo’s thigh-pad. That was thisclose to being a disaster.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 18, 2012 3:07 PM EST reply actions

I downloaded the video.

That was such a good victory, I have seen it at least 5 times. And that first drive really set the tempo for the rest of the game.

I'm not drunk, I'm......hydrated.

by wetfeet on Jan 18, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Close to disaster, but wasn't

Sometimes you’re good, sometimes you’re lucky. But when you win in the NFL playoffs, it’s usually some of both.

by Greg Knopping on Jan 18, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

Ha ha! F! Ooo what a zinger!

WHEE!

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 18, 2012 3:19 PM EST reply actions

I vote B

The 2 turnovers eliminated TFB’s 7th and 8th(I know they wouldn’t have come in that order)

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Jan 18, 2012 3:30 PM EST reply actions

who's eliminating all the troll votes I saw 30+ F's

What is this Chicago politics?

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Jan 18, 2012 3:33 PM EST reply actions

anyone who votes an F

is one of the following: troll, idiot, jet fans, raven fans, or a combination of the previous 4

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about a playoff victory?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 18, 2012 3:38 PM EST reply actions

I think the F votes are funny.

Almost an homage to how stupid Jets fans can be.

by CelticPride on Jan 18, 2012 4:16 PM EST reply actions

Brady

So I just read that Brady missed practice today, due to that left shoulder injury. Anyone have info as to how serious it is, or if he re-injured it during the Broncos game??

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/18/tom-brady-misses-entire-practice-with-left-shoulder-injury/

by pats713 on Jan 18, 2012 4:36 PM EST reply actions