...and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
I realize that this rivalry isn't what it was last year, since neither team is playing like they have in the past, but this turned out to be a pretty close, exciting game. It was mostly mistake free on both sides, until it counted.
BenJarvis Green-Ellis just about had the first down in field goal range. All it would have taken was a QB sneak to get the yards needed to continue the drive.
Unfortunately, it appears as though David Thomas didn't realize Green-Ellis was down and the play was over. He knocked one of the Colts' defenders down well after the play had finished, committing a 15-yard personal foul.
This turned what would have been 3rd and 1 into 3rd and 16, and essentially took the wind out of the Patriots' sails.
Yes, I blame David Thomas for this loss, but what I'm even more concerned with is the awful throws Matt Cassel made in attempt to come back and win.
I certainly didn't expect the Pats to come back with what, 45 seconds or something left in the game? But, my goodness...Cassel's attempts to hit Moss and Gaffney were so ridiculously off the mark that I honestly believe I would have done better myself.
If that's the type of throw I should look for when New England is trying to come from behind in a playoff game, I might as well just call it a season right now.
What makes me sad about this, is that through three quarters, I was very happy with the way the Patriots offense was playing. I didn't even care if they beat the Colts or not. I was simply pleased with the progress they had made.
Now I'm thinking that my day dreams of deep playoff runs are just that...day dreams.
13 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Greg Howe 8 months ago
Take some deep shots to Moss please. The Colts' secondary is average and inexperienced and they never tested them last night. This guy is one of the best deep threats in the game and they didn't take one shot at him. Pretty absurd.
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Chris Radez 8 months ago
I concur ... they could have at least tried it a few times. That would have opened up the running game even more.
Thanks for reading Greg.
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Steve Frith 8 months ago
Greg-It's probably a good thing they didn't toss the long bomb-did you see how poorly Cassel was in his last minute efforts to make a long bomb to either score or at least get in field goal range? Horrible passes, not even near the reciever......
Although I will say that even Tony Dungy said (during half time) that he was suprised that the Pats hadn't tested out the Colt's secondary. I'm suprised too...I would've like to have seen at least a few long pass attempts to Moss.
Chris-let's not forget about the near perfect pass that Gafney dropped...the pass that if he had held onto it would've resulted in a TD. I agree with everything else you said, though, but I have to also place the plame on Gafney letting that pass slip through his hands. I called it when it happened....as I'm yelling at the TV, the wife asks what's the problem. I replied that should the Pats lose the game, that will be one of the major contributing factors. And then there was the PF on Thomas....that certainly hurt and was one of the factors in the lose.
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Chris Radez 8 months ago
Yeah ... the pass to Gaffney was pretty nice ... but my problem is that when it really counted, he couldn't get it done. Of course it counted when he threw it to Gaffney too, but there wasn't as much pressure at the time. I'm worried about Cassel's ability to handle pressure, since every playoff minute will come with pressure.
As always ... thanks for reading and responding.
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Steve Frith 8 months ago
Good points there-if we make the playoffs you're right, he'll probably implode. Great, that's just one more thing for me to worry about this season... :(
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Ryan Burns 8 months ago
cassels last drive really angered me...i dont understand why the pats think he can throw deep with 40 seconds left in the game as opposed to all game long
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Chris Radez 8 months ago
They really do need to try some different things on offense. The current game-plan is beyond ineffective.
Thanks for reading bud.
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Paul Peszko 8 months ago
You forgot one. Belichek running down the sideline to call a time out when the Pats had dove for the first down. Then he decides to go for a field goal. But they had already made the fourth-and-one and could have gone for a TD. Talk about conservative.
Okay, so Brady's not there. But at least the Pats aren't stuck with a Brad Johnson or some of the other retreads playing backup around the League.
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Chris Radez 8 months ago
I definitely did miss that one. I wrote this immediately after the game ended ... and if I had thought of it ... this was definitely another factor that lost this game for us. Not Patriot-like at all.
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Dracula's Buttocks has teeth 8 months ago
Pat fans, ...STOP.
Please.
It's OVER already.
OVER!!!!
Your season officially ENDED in week one when Brady got crippled (I still can't stop laughing at that incredibly perfect act of God).
What's the point in rooting for a bad team that has NO CHANCE TO WIN ANYTHING?
I guess you can hope against all hope. That's what makes a fan. Enjoy your 7-9 season.
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Chris Radez 8 months ago
LOL
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Tim Cary 8 months ago
Nice job Chris; it's interesting that I heard several times yesterday how "amazing" it is that the Patriots are in first place in their division w/o Brady...the "story of the NFL this year" and all.
I didn't get to see much of the Pats/Colts game, but sounds like you aren't buying the team's playoff chances in 2008 as much as everyone else I listened to yesterday.
I might tend to agree with you, come to think of it...
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Chris Radez 8 months ago
Yeah... if anything the 'phins should be the "story of the NFL this year". I can't believe they're at .500 halfway through the season!
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