Yeah, what was up with that? I was out driving and only caught snippets of the game, but I thought I saw a graphic that basically said the Vikings couldn't stop Taysom Hill...T
Neither, it was a lack of NE offense, which has been a problem most of the year. The NFL network reported that with first and goal at the 1 NE scored each of the 13 times in the post season, until this year. There is some criticism of Josh here locally for calling 3 running plays to the same side, especially when Brady is never stopped on the sneak.
I am still surprised it was as close as it was. NE - lack of establishing any kind of a routine running game this season - with ANY of their RB's - contributed heavily to this loss. Playing switcharoo with revolving RB's didn't work, has not worked for the last half of the season. Final 9 games they were 4-5, and I was not surprised. I AM surprised they beat Buffalo - twice. Even though Brady's numbers were his worst in something like 15 years, he still managed to get them to 12-4 - er 12-5, any other QB, they would be, what, maybe 8-8 at best? Not getting the BYE in the first round cost them, at least mentally. Meh, even if they won this game, they would not win the next one...
Yea, I do agree, even if they beat Tenn, they would not have beaten KC. If they did have the bye, they could have beaten KC at home, but beating Balt in their house would have been unlikely. This just wasn't the Pats year, too many holes on the offensive line and the receiving corps (Sanu was useless). AB is a complete slimeball, but I wish they had kept him.
Sanu is not a #1 guy, not a serious threat you MUST put your best Corner on, that's the problem. They needed a serious deep threat that could create separation, and they don't have that, at all. I don't think you can teach it, you either have it or you don't. DK Metcalf, AJ Brown, Calvin Ridley to name a few young guys, they have 'it'. Depending on who NE loses to free agency, wanna bet they take a great WR in the first round - IF they can get one? They will have some holes to fill, and I bet Brady will sign a monster deal for one or two years at 42-45 mill a year.... (PS - I sure wish Larry Fitzgerald would have gone to NE a year ago..)
MIN AT SF - 'Niners TEN AT BAL - Crows HOU AT KC - Chefs SEA AT GB - Pack Yes . . . nothing but home teams/bye teams.
MIN AT SF - SF - I'm not buying Cousins as Mr Clutch just yet TEN AT BAL - BAL - Don't think Titans can stop LJ HOU AT KC - HOU - need at least one upset, why not a Texas team SEA AT GB - SEA - Wilson heats up the Frozen Tundra
Has NE had a field stretcher WR in recent years? Maybe the guy they traded to Rams whose name escapes me right now? Harry may be able to be that guy, but he seems to be injury prone thus far...T
Divisional Playoffs MIN AT SF - SF TEN AT BAL - BAL HOU AT KC - HOU SEA AT GB - GB I may change this.
GB is favoured by 5 - my lead pipe lock this week is Seattle to cover that 5 point spread....I think they will keep it closer than that
SF BALT KC GB My final picks (for this weekend) To be honest, I'd rather pick Tenn, and maybe I will change my mind in the next few hours.