Some Things I Learned Today About This Team

by Middlesex on Jan 22, 2012 11:15 PM EST

In no particular order..

I know why Belichick likes having James Ihedigbo in on short-yardage. Nice blitzing from him, too. It's too bad he's not better in coverage.

I know why Belicick likes having Sterling Moore in on obvious pass-plays. Great instincts, but he needs to improve open-field tackles.

Vince Wilfork is having a monstrous post-season. His two interceptions in the regular season aside, his post-season performance is far more impactful than his regular-season performance.

Brandon Spikes is also having a monstrous post-season. He's fighting off the image that he's only a two-down back, making another big play against the pass and helping to smother one of the best ground-games in the league. His regular-season was marked by injuries but his post-season has been marked by the damage he's doing to the opposing team. Oh, and Jerod Mayo wasn't bad either!

The Pats are still reliant on the Big-3 receivers; Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez. Branch, the #2 receiver, had another quiet game. Brady completed a pass to Edelman and committed an interception towards him. He also had an interception intended for Matthew Slater. Brady needs to figure out how to get more production from outside of the Big-3. Unfortunately, their WR corps looks weak after Welker.

I've been down on how BenJarvis GreenEllis is always fairly-good and never great. Not today. He put together one of his better games against a tough Ravens D, helping the Pats O overcome a tough pass-D.

Joe Flacco can run. Best YPA of all the Ravens rushers, including Ray Rice and Ricky Williams. I was surprised, and the Pats defeders seemed to be too.

Tom Brady said it himself; he sucked. I understand there were some scary defenders pushing his protection at his feet, and they have a great secondary with boogeymen like Webb and Reed and of course Pollard. With that said, Brady got sacked once all game.

Last but not least, they'll have a chance at revenge.

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I learned that when the offense is stuck in first gear, the defense can get it done.

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 23, 2012 1:45 PM EST reply actions

Got to check but

is that the first game the Pats won despite a -2 TO differential?

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 23, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

This season, that is...

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 23, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think so...

Didn’t we turn it over a low against the Cowboys?

by CanadianPatriotsFan on Jan 24, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

* a lot

by CanadianPatriotsFan on Jan 24, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

I do like the safety rotation

Ihedigbo in there when a run is likely, McCourty moving back there and Moore coming in when pass is likely. It’s been fairly effective, especially considering the safety play just a few weeks ago. The only danger is if they go PA pass when Ihedigbo is in there. PA is the bane of many of our safeties, and it got us on some of those throws toward Torrey Smith. Hopefully we can stop the Giants run game enough to avoid biting too hard.

by Aluminum Penguin on Jan 23, 2012 5:11 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, PA is the danger.

Even if Ihedigbo doesn’t bite he’s a liability in coverage. Chung wasn’t much better yesterday, either. Will rewatch the game tomorrow to get a better feel for the breakdowns.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Jan 23, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions