OK my Patriots brothers, does anyone know WTF they're thinking?

[Willie99]

It's not about winning or losing I'm talking about, it's about game planning. I've watched all the Patriot experts, they're as dumbfounded as me.

5 passes in the 1st half?

they open the game running 16 out of 18 times, with the two passes being a shuffle pass and a screen

they give the ball all 18 times to either Jackson, signed 13 days earlier, or Bolden, a special teams standout

no first half targets for Gronk or Amendola

were they trying to keep the Dolphins in the game?



and it's a trend, they played very similar in the Jets game, over the top conservative, especially in the first half (then they kick (and give the wind) in OT)

in 3 or 4 games since Denver, they had the ball in the final two minutes of the first half and didn't really try to score. In 1 or 2 of those games they started at the 30+ yard line and simply ran the ball to midfield, running out the clock


so, why? is Belichick practicing something? are they playing possum? I don't believe their over the top conservative play calling is / was a necessary evil. They didn't even look like the Pats with that nonsense, at least go down swinging.

Anyhow, in two weeks I think they come out throwing the ball all over the field, I doubt we'll see Brady taken out of the game before it even starts again

Like every other Patriot fan that watches them week after week, I have no fucking idea what they were thinking down the stretch. But just in case there are any doubts, in Belichick I trust. I don't always understand it, but the fucker is up to something. IMHO

 

[slapshot]

Just trying to not get Brady hurt

 

[Willie99]

I guess it could be that simple, but why not just play Garoppolo

 

[bounceback]

I guess it could be that simple, but why not just play Garoppolo

to avoid the questions/drama...

"Why did you run it more than usual" is a lot easier to answer than "why didn't you start brady and lost"...

 

[MikeB]

I guess it could be that simple, but why not just play Garoppolo

Brady doesn't want to sit on the sideline. No way he can be effective if he sits week 17, then has a bye week.

Even though he wasn't doing much, just being out there reading the defense and seeing things at game speed has to help.

 

[OneZero]

Also, they wanted chemistry between brady and Steven Jackson, as well as, trying to give him as many reps as possible. They know they need a running game in the playoffs.

They came to the conclusion, a healthy team is more important than home field advantage (which says a lot, as they have a history of struggling in Denver).

 

[BostonBettor]

Patriots appeared to be conflicted as to whether or not they wanted to go for the win, or go through the motions of playing the game. What they did was allow Brady to get pounded. In two weeks time, I guess we'll see if his ankle effects his play. Belichick has made some bizarre coaching decisions the past couple of weeks.

 

[Willie99]

the loss does mean they would avoid Pitt until the title game, if it came to that

they play 3,4 or 5, while Denver plays 4,5 or 6

personally, I wouldn't mind 3 or 4, I hope one of the home teams wins next weekend. I think both wild card teams are stronger than the last two division winners (w/ cinn sans dalton)

 

[PatPatriot]

The theory I hear, and tend to agree with is they wanted to shorten the game by running the ball and getting Jackson some reps the first half then opening up the 2ndhalf.
But i really don't think they are sure of what they are doing. Leaving Brady in is a head scratcher.
But I'll tell you that offensive line is so bad they cant run block or pass block, and what they have are playing out of position.. I heard yesterday that the Pats have lost over 287 game man hours, more than any other team in the league.
There not going to SB without getting some guys back. If Edleman can come back and be himself and Vollmer back on the O line.
The defense has to carry this team this year in the playoffs. That would mean Hightower and McCourty being at least 80%.

 

[Willie99]

Edelman & Vollmer will be back. Amendola and Gronk closer to 100%, Chandler healthier and the offensive line will be revamped and effective

On D, Hightower & Collins will be back and the unit will be close to 100%. They'll be pretty damn good, close to being outright dominant like they appeared to be often times this season

We're going to see a very different team in two weeks than the team we've watched for the past month+





but I still don't understand their recent game planning, although shortening the "season" may be exactly what they were doing

Belichick, of course, only says "we have to play better"

 

[Vlad the Impaler]

As the biggest Patriots fan on the Rx, I think we may be screwed.

We have an aching quarterback that can only throw 7 yard passes, line is banged up. At least we can throw to the Vegas weirdo Gronk. Our best wideout is a midget ex qb. I just don't see it happening. We even faked injuries to get to this point. Almost as bad as when Willie McGinest faked an injury to slow down that Manning led offense in 2004. But hey, we got away with it so all is good.

 

[REDEYE]

I'm obviously not a Patriot brother here ,lol. but Belichek is smarter then everyone else... gets it right almost everytime... I'd have gone conservative too..... after the break , for some reason that offensive line will be good enough to get it done and unfortunately the rest of the AFC will have there hands full..

 

[Mobdeeper7239]

They probably worked on shit for the playoffs and ran none of it. Dull play calling so no one can break down their most recent game. Patriots are smart you know that.

 

[doubledeuce22]

If the pats lose the afc title game on the road, there will be a lot of questions as to wtf belichick was doing the last two weeks of regular season.. It felt like he really didn't respect the opponent in the miami game, and that he felt he could basically half ass it, keep everyone healthy, and still pull it out in 2h.

that being said, the 2 seed will likely be a much better matchup in the second round, as they will likely avoid pitt or kc.

 

[PatsFanatic]

I believe in two weeks they will walk onto the field healthy and hungry.

 

[JustinCruise]

Everything this team does (and doesn't do) is all part of the plan

 

[The Guesser]

They've tanked the last 2 weeks. Not necessarily trying to lose, but not doing everything to win. IMO, they've been treating practice as the real rehearsal for the playoffs, re-incorporating Edelman, arguably the MVP in last years run.
I think they kill whoever they play in the next round.

 

[Willie99]

They've tanked the last 2 weeks. Not necessarily trying to lose, but not doing everything to win. IMO, they've been treating practice as the real rehearsal for the playoffs, re-incorporating Edelman, arguably the MVP in last years run.
I think they kill whoever they play in the next round.

you trying to soften me up?

 

[Willie99]

As the biggest Patriots fan on the Rx, I think we may be screwed.

We have an aching quarterback that can only throw 7 yard passes, line is banged up. At least we can throw to the Vegas weirdo Gronk. Our best wideout is a midget ex qb. I just don't see it happening. We even faked injuries to get to this point. Almost as bad as when Willie McGinest faked an injury to slow down that Manning led offense in 2004. But hey, we got away with it so all is good.

who?

 

[Betallsports]

well you better Hope they have been playing "possum " these past couple of weeks... because they really have looked like Shit