What a Mess: Patriots-Colts Recap
While last nights loss against the Indianapolis Colts leaves the Patriots at 5-3 (on pace to go 10-6) at the halfway point of the season, the loss showed some severe coaching deficiencies last night. Last night, the Patriots coaching staff was exposed in two areas: game management and offensive playcalling.
How many other people were really aggravated last night when Bill Belichick made the third quarter challenge against the Colts for 12 men on the field? It seemed so futile and unnecessary. Not only was it a stupid challenge because they were wrong, but what would have been accomplished if they were right? A five-yard penalty would not have made much of a difference in that situation. Ultimately, they lost the challenge and a timeout for something that could have netted them five yards. Is that really worth it? In my opinion, absolutely not. This came back to haunt the Patriots late in the fourth quarter. On the second to last drive the Patriots really could have used a timeout on the fourth down and sixteen play that ended in a Matt Cassel interception by Bob Sanders. The challenge was dumb, but more importantly, costly.
The challenge was very frustrating, but not nearly as frustrating as the terrible offensive play calling last night. Josh McDaniels' offensive playcalling last night was reminicent of Marty Schottenheimer in the playoffs; and when you are ever compared to Martyball, that is a very, very bad sign. I understand the Colts have a very weak run defense and that Cassel is still being acclimated with the offense, especially moving the ball downfield, but the playcalling was ridiculously conservative last night. The running game did have some success, but McDaniels never took advantage of that success. When your ground game is hammering out four to six yards a play to the point that the opposing defense loads nine men, that's right nine men, in the box, you have the take a couple shots downfield. When there is nine men in the box, that leaves two men to cover Moss and Welker. If they double Moss, which they cannot in this situation, Welker would literally not be covered. If they play Moss and Welker one-on-one, neither DB covering Moss or Welker would have help over the top. Isn't this why you brought in Moss? He can and will beat any DB downfield when he has one-on-one coverage on the outside. The Colts had three cornerbacks playing who were nobodies. One of them was literally signed on Wednesday. Am I supposed to believe that Randy Moss was overmatched by a guy who was on the streets on Tuesday? I don't think so.
The Patriots offense cannot continue to limit itself to an overwhelming majority of passes underneath. Passing underneath can be used effectively in conjuction with a midrange and deep passing game, or to replace a weak running game, but it cannot be used as an entire offense. It is too easy to defend, especially in the redzone. The Patriots defense played a good game last night. Holding Peyton Manning, regardless of his season, to 18 points is an accomplishment. But kicking fieldgoals everytime you are in the redzone will not suffice. This team needs to score touchdowns, at least to give itself some confidence.
The coaching staff failed to adjust last night and it cost this team the game. A win last night would have put the Patriots in sole possession of first place and ended the Colts chances of making the playoffs. Overall, this game was a badly missed opportunity.
How many other people were really aggravated last night when Bill Belichick made the third quarter challenge against the Colts for 12 men on the field? It seemed so futile and unnecessary. Not only was it a stupid challenge because they were wrong, but what would have been accomplished if they were right? A five-yard penalty would not have made much of a difference in that situation. Ultimately, they lost the challenge and a timeout for something that could have netted them five yards. Is that really worth it? In my opinion, absolutely not. This came back to haunt the Patriots late in the fourth quarter. On the second to last drive the Patriots really could have used a timeout on the fourth down and sixteen play that ended in a Matt Cassel interception by Bob Sanders. The challenge was dumb, but more importantly, costly.
The challenge was very frustrating, but not nearly as frustrating as the terrible offensive play calling last night. Josh McDaniels' offensive playcalling last night was reminicent of Marty Schottenheimer in the playoffs; and when you are ever compared to Martyball, that is a very, very bad sign. I understand the Colts have a very weak run defense and that Cassel is still being acclimated with the offense, especially moving the ball downfield, but the playcalling was ridiculously conservative last night. The running game did have some success, but McDaniels never took advantage of that success. When your ground game is hammering out four to six yards a play to the point that the opposing defense loads nine men, that's right nine men, in the box, you have the take a couple shots downfield. When there is nine men in the box, that leaves two men to cover Moss and Welker. If they double Moss, which they cannot in this situation, Welker would literally not be covered. If they play Moss and Welker one-on-one, neither DB covering Moss or Welker would have help over the top. Isn't this why you brought in Moss? He can and will beat any DB downfield when he has one-on-one coverage on the outside. The Colts had three cornerbacks playing who were nobodies. One of them was literally signed on Wednesday. Am I supposed to believe that Randy Moss was overmatched by a guy who was on the streets on Tuesday? I don't think so.
The Patriots offense cannot continue to limit itself to an overwhelming majority of passes underneath. Passing underneath can be used effectively in conjuction with a midrange and deep passing game, or to replace a weak running game, but it cannot be used as an entire offense. It is too easy to defend, especially in the redzone. The Patriots defense played a good game last night. Holding Peyton Manning, regardless of his season, to 18 points is an accomplishment. But kicking fieldgoals everytime you are in the redzone will not suffice. This team needs to score touchdowns, at least to give itself some confidence.
The coaching staff failed to adjust last night and it cost this team the game. A win last night would have put the Patriots in sole possession of first place and ended the Colts chances of making the playoffs. Overall, this game was a badly missed opportunity.
posted by Steve at 10:10 AM
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