Re: Discouraging stuff on the defense

<john.vampatella@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:cb068827-7b3d-49a3-9bf4-6b1b6c0217bc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Since 2002, the Patriots have won 3 Super Bowls and lost in the
playoffs 3 other years. In

2002 - Super Bowl - The Rams scored two 4th quarter touchdowns, on
drives covering 77 and 55 yards respectively, tying the game on a TD
with 1:30 remaining, before the Pats drove for the game-winning FG by
Adam Vinatieri.

2004 - Super Bowl - The Panthers, having done next to nothing all game
long, exploded for three 4th quarter touchdowns, of 81, 90, and 80
yards, scoring TD's on three straight possessions, before the Pats won
the game on their last possession on Vinatieri's 41 yard FG.

2005 - Super Bowl - The Eagles, down by 10 points, march 79 yards in
13 plays to score an important 4th quarter touchdown to cut the lead
to 24-21. The Pats' D would hold on as the Eagles tried desperately
to drive in the last minute, however.

2006 - AFC Divisional Game - The Broncos score points on their last
two meaningful possessions; the first time, they only need to go 15
yards, but they punch it in for a touchdown that puts them up 24-6.
Then, after the Pats score a TD, they march 61 yards on 8 plays,
consuming 4:45, for a field goal that makes the score 27-13.

2007 - AFC Championship Game - The Colts march 80 yards in 7 plays,
consuming 1:17, and score the game-winning touchdown to win 38-34.
The Colts score 17 fourth-quarter and 32 second-half points.

2008 - Super Bowl - The Giants march 83 yards in 12 plays, consuming
2:07, and score the game-winning touchdown to win 17-14. This is
their 2nd 4th quarter touchdown in the game, after scoring only 3
points previous to that.

I think we see the pattern: The Patriots defense plays extremely well
in these games, until the 4th quarter. They they give up big plays
and big points. Even in the games they've won, they've had to rely on
the offense pulling it out. The Eagles' game is the only one, really,
where their defense got the key stop it needed, but even that came
after they let up a big touchdown drive earlier in the 4th quarter.

Question for the newsgroup: Why do you think this pattern exists?
Now you might say it's because of age, but that wasn't the case a few
years ago, when Bruschi, Vrabel, Harrison, et al, were younger.
What's the reason?


Because they play against excellent teams in that game? I dunno. Their D
has come through for them in many a playoff game though.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: So I was watching the ND-UW game today...
    ... >>> in the game. ... >>> you have to give them the chance to make plays. ... >> He had well over 200 yards passing in the first half. ...
    (rec.sport.football.college)
  • Top 100 H.S. Football Teams
    ... Champions Resource Pages Rivals.com High School Sites ... Next Game Prev Game ... rushing touchdown off the right side of the line as the third quarter ... combined to run for 234 yards and two scores. ...
    (alt.sports.football.pro.ne-patriots)
  • Discouraging stuff on the defense
    ... drives covering 77 and 55 yards respectively, tying the game on a TD ... but they punch it in for a touchdown that puts them up 24-6. ...
    (alt.sports.football.pro.ne-patriots)
  • Receivers Step Up, Special Teams Falter
    ... sailed right into the hands of Willie Williams, who returned it 10 yards for ... You've got to give him credit," Reid said. ... "It was a great first game for him," McNabb said. ... connect on a couple big time pass plays." ...
    (alt.sports.football.pro.phila-eagles)
  • previewing(and betting) todays nfl games......
    ... No plays last night, so today to make it interesting I'll bet both ... since it's a playoff game moss might actually try and I expect ... He only went for 100 yards 3 times all season, ... The fumbles. ...
    (rec.sport.football.college)