1) It's all about the Gronk, just they're just a different team when he's healthy
2) Their defense is rated as one of the best in the league, and they're underrated. Down the stretch they have been incredible. In the 2nd half of games down the stretch, this is what they allowed.
Buffalo: 0
Dolphins: 0
Jets: 6
Lions: 3
Packers: 3
Chargers: 0
that suggests some serious halftime adjustments, and they didn't allow much in the 1st half either
3) their most recent playoff losses:
Broncos, no Gronk, Talib was locking down Thomas before he went off with injury in the 1st half. Defensive game plan torn up and Thomas rolls.
Ravens, no Gronk, Talib was locking down Bolden before he went off with injury in 1st half, defensive game plan torn up and Bolden rolls.
Giants, Gronk at 25%, defense allows 95 yard TD in last two minutes to lose the game. defense was not nearly as good in the last two years as this year.
4) Brady's receiving core the deepest it's been in years
5) their defense did not create 1 turnover in any of those last three playoff losses, and they lost the TO battle in the Ravens game 3-0. If they lose the turnover battle 3-0, they will lose but that's unlikely. I think the D creates a turnover today
In last year's loss vs the Broncos, Gronk was out
2) Their defense is rated as one of the best in the league, and they're underrated. Down the stretch they have been incredible. In the 2nd half of games down the stretch, this is what they allowed.
Buffalo: 0
Dolphins: 0
Jets: 6
Lions: 3
Packers: 3
Chargers: 0
that suggests some serious halftime adjustments, and they didn't allow much in the 1st half either
3) their most recent playoff losses:
Broncos, no Gronk, Talib was locking down Thomas before he went off with injury in the 1st half. Defensive game plan torn up and Thomas rolls.
Ravens, no Gronk, Talib was locking down Bolden before he went off with injury in 1st half, defensive game plan torn up and Bolden rolls.
Giants, Gronk at 25%, defense allows 95 yard TD in last two minutes to lose the game. defense was not nearly as good in the last two years as this year.
4) Brady's receiving core the deepest it's been in years
5) their defense did not create 1 turnover in any of those last three playoff losses, and they lost the TO battle in the Ravens game 3-0. If they lose the turnover battle 3-0, they will lose but that's unlikely. I think the D creates a turnover today
In last year's loss vs the Broncos, Gronk was out