Did the Eagles create a blueprint... (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

On defense:

1. Double team Moss.

2. Send people from all directions at Brady.

3. Play physical against the Pats' receivers.

On offense:

1. Exploit the middle of the field.

2. Keep throwing the ball.

2. Take chances (flea flickers, onside kicks, etc.)

Obviously, this is a very basic evaluation. But the question is: was this a one game abberation, or did the Eagles expose weaknesses in a team where we thought there weren't any?

Two years ago, the Colts seemed invincible, until San Diego exposed them towards the end of the regular season. Then Pittsburgh took that blueprint and upset them in the playoffs. Could the same thing happen here? Could a better team than Philly make use of this game?

 

[FavreCo]

No I did. I've been saying this is how you can beat these guys since the 3rd week. Not the stupidity of WASH and BUF where they rushed 2-4 guys.

 

[Statorama]

They sure did. The blueprint is hope and pray that the Patriots suck the night you play them.

 

[ChuckLiddell]

On defense:

1. Double team Moss.

2. Send people from all directions at Brady.

3. Play physical against the Pats' receivers.

On offense:

1. Exploit the middle of the field.

2. Keep throwing the ball.

2. Take chances (flea flickers, onside kicks, etc.)

Obviously, this is a very basic evaluation. But the question is: was this a one game abberation, or did the Eagles expose weaknesses in a team where we thought there weren't any?

Two years ago, the Colts seemed invincible, until San Diego exposed them towards the end of the regular season. Then Pittsburgh took that blueprint and upset them in the playoffs. Could the same thing happen here? Could a better team than Philly make use of this game?

Maybe the Steelers. They seem to have the right personnel to use this blueprint properly. After today, it is clear that the Giants are not likely to stay within 20 points of this team - although they do have the pass rush to possibly cause some problems.

 

[greenline]

The key is pass protection. If you can prevent NE from getting to the QB you can throw the ball down the middle of the field. But you can bet your house NE will make adjustments and be ready to combat that next week if it occurs.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

or this actually gives bill a 'real' reason to scream at the team to work on something/motivate them week to week. its a long season and sometimes there are letdowns.

could be a blueprint- or a jolt for them to focus and never overlook a opponent. pittsburgh definetly has the tools to use the blueprint if the pats do indeed have these weaknesses

 

[freelander]

The key is pass protection. If you can prevent NE from getting to the QB you can throw the ball down the middle of the field. But you can bet your house NE will make adjustments and be ready to combat that next week if it occurs.

...as will all future NE opponents..

 

[zoonation]

I think the Steelers may be able to dial it up.

BTW - just wanted to let you know that you only have 2 threads on the first page, and it is Sunday. Records don't break themselves, Timso.

 

[FFdork]

On defense:1. Double team Moss.2. Send people from all directions at Brady.3. Play physical against the Pats' receivers.On offense:1. Exploit the middle of the field.2. Keep throwing the ball.2. Take chances (flea flickers, onside kicks, etc.)Obviously, this is a very basic evaluation. But the question is: was this a one game abberation, or did the Eagles expose weaknesses in a team where we thought there weren't any?Two years ago, the Colts seemed invincible, until San Diego exposed them towards the end of the regular season. Then Pittsburgh took that blueprint and upset them in the playoffs. Could the same thing happen here? Could a better team than Philly make use of this game?

I think all 3 of your defensive points have been attempted by other teams. The Eagles just did a better job. They may have exposed a few things in terms of passing against the Pats, but as someone else pointed out, I'm sure they will make some adjustments. This game was a good reminder that the Patriots aren't invincible though.

 

[ALDO]

Wow, the Pats really tried hard tonight but they still won.

I sure feel sorry for the people who bet on the spread.

Yeah, the Pats really went all out tonight. They're lucky that they at least got a win.



But honestly, this game was a joke. It's a good thing Madden was on the mic, otherwise it might have been more apparent to the casual fan.

An amazing game on so many different levels.

The four wide-outs for three quarters were a nice touch, though.

Belichick is mad, evil genius.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Hmmmm, which team has a pretty good slant game to exploit the middle of the field, has a Q.B. who can get off the rock quickly, and has a defense that can pressure the Q.B and man up on W.R.'s?

 

[timschochet]

When it's time for the Steeler game, they'll be plenty of threads to talk about that, but let me say quickly right now as as Steeler fan that if pass protection really is the key to competing against this New England team, the Steelers may be in some trouble...

 

[David Yudkin]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.

On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.

I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

 

[greenline]

The key is pass protection. If you can prevent NE from getting to the QB you can throw the ball down the middle of the field. But you can bet your house NE will make adjustments and be ready to combat that next week if it occurs.

...as will all future NE opponents..

What will they do? Try to stop NE from getting to the QB? I'm sure all teams have tried, Philly was the first to really sustain it all game. Feely then did a great job of the time and hit lots of open receivers.

 

[zoonation]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

some holes tonight?they are soft.

 

[freelander]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.

On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.

I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

he was due for one of those...that one was ticky tacky but he's pushed off worse and gotten away with it...

 

[NeverEnough]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

NE D has been overrated for a long time now. Especially the secondary.

 

[[icon]]

..and the first of the many weekly timschochet threads arrives. This guy is like the wheelhouse of the Guppy Pool

 

[freelander]

The key is pass protection. If you can prevent NE from getting to the QB you can throw the ball down the middle of the field. But you can bet your house NE will make adjustments and be ready to combat that next week if it occurs.

...as will all future NE opponents..

What will they do? Try to stop NE from getting to the QB? I'm sure all teams have tried, Philly was the first to really sustain it all game. Feely then did a great job of the time and hit lots of open receivers.

um...yes, I'm sure that's what will be looked at of course...

 

[ALDO]

Read between the lines people.. the only reason that this game was close is because the head coach, the quarterback and everyone else on the Patriots squad made it so. If you can't see that than you should shred your fan card and sign up for the lame club.

 

[freelander]

Read between the lines people.. the only reason that this game was close is because the head coach, the quarterback and everyone else on the Patriots squad made it so. If you can't see that than you should shred your fan card and sign up for the lame club.

what?

 

[David Yudkin]

NE D has been overrated for a long time now. Especially the secondary.

The Pats secondary is generally "good enough" due to pressure on the QB (hurried passes, harder to read coverages, inaccuracy issues, etc.). Like most teams, give a QB time to throw and he'll find the open guy. This is one of football's universal truths, especially with a ton of receivers to cover. No pass rush from NE = trouble.

 

[timschochet]

..and the first of the many weekly timschochet threads arrives. This guy is like the wheelhouse of the Guppy Pool

Gee Icon, you were pretty silent during the game on the main thread... after the first pick by Samuel, you typed in "NEXT", but I don't recall you contributing anything after that.Nice of you to come in now that the game is over, though...

 

[timschochet]

Read between the lines people.. the only reason that this game was close is because the head coach, the quarterback and everyone else on the Patriots squad made it so. If you can't see that than you should shred your fan card and sign up for the lame club.

So you're suggesting that the Patriots got together before the game and decided, "Let's have a close one here, just to confuse everybody."What's this lame club you're talking about? You seem to know a lot about it...

 

[Exile]

I think you really have to recognize how good the Eagles offensive line played tonight. They gave Feely all day. The Patriot pass coverage definitely has some vulnerabilities (I'm talking to you, Ellis Hobbs) and they make up for this by combining a large variety of coverage looks with a large variety of pressure packages. If you negate their pressure, you can move the ball against them.

Is this a blue print? I guess...if you can provide the pass protection needed to take advantage of it.

 

[Mr. Black]

How come everytime the Pats come close to losing or don't blow a team out people start asking the stupid question about blue prints? There is no blue print to beating anyone the game is real simple you make more plays than the other team and you win. Every team in the league has tried every way possible to stop the Pats and some things work and some things don't but it all comes down to execution at the end of the day. If you can pressure the QB then you increase your chance of winning games it's real simple.

 

[Bill Lust]

Read between the lines people.. the only reason that this game was close is because the head coach, the quarterback and everyone else on the Patriots squad made it so. If you can't see that than you should shred your fan card and sign up for the lame club.

So you're suggesting that the Patriots got together before the game and decided, "Let's have a close one here, just to confuse everybody."What's this lame club you're talking about? You seem to know a lot about it...

I think he is saying it was close because the Patriots played poorly. That is true to a certain extent, but I think that the Eagles' offensive line and DB's had a lot to do with it.

 

[freelander]

I think you really have to recognize how good the Eagles offensive line played tonight. They gave Feely all day. The Patriot pass coverage definitely has some vulnerabilities (I'm talking to you, Ellis Hobbs) and they make up for this by combining a large variety of coverage looks with a large variety of pressure packages. If you negate their pressure, you can move the ball against them.

Is this a blue print? I guess...if you can provide the pass protection needed to take advantage of it.

of course...like Brady has been the recipient of all year.

 

[Bill Lust]

I think you really have to recognize how good the Eagles offensive line played tonight. They gave Feely all day. The Patriot pass coverage definitely has some vulnerabilities (I'm talking to you, Ellis Hobbs) and they make up for this by combining a large variety of coverage looks with a large variety of pressure packages. If you negate their pressure, you can move the ball against them.Is this a blue print? I guess...if you can provide the pass protection needed to take advantage of it.

Agree with everything here. The Pats got NO pressure whatsoever.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

 

[David Yudkin]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Either way, they would have been in the 34-38 point range, which is hardly shutting them down.

 

[Blue-Kun]

Same thing that has happened to a lot of great teams happened tonight. One team played way over their heads and the favorite had a bit of an off night. The only thing that's kind of nice is we might get a day or two of not hearing about how the Pats are the greatest team to ever play.

 

[LTsharks]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

So we are going to talk about the missed gimme FG but not the gimme interception TD to start the game? Oh yeah, I forgot - everything that is a positive for the Pats is because of their talent and all of the bad stuff is just bad luck. Wipe out all of the "gimme" stuff and they lost.They didn't lose though, so any "complaining" seems more like whining. This was a prime time game against an average (5-5) NFC team (remember, the NFC stinks). You are expected to win these games, even if you aren't the team of the century. Does the rest of the NFL have hope or is it still a season lost?

 

[PatsWillWin]

The secondary got exposed by AJ Feely, who played absolutely out of his mind for three quarters.

 

[BigTex]

How come everytime the Pats come close to losing or don't blow a team out people start asking the stupid question about blue prints? There is no blue print to beating anyone the game is real simple you make more plays than the other team and you win. Every team in the league has tried every way possible to stop the Pats and some things work and some things don't but it all comes down to execution at the end of the day. If you can pressure the QB then you increase your chance of winning games it's real simple.

So if a team is ranked 31st against the run, you won't run against them you'll just pass?IMHO the game is about playing to your team's strength while exploiting your enemy's weakness.

 

[Rovers]

Blueprints are permanenty inked documents made from peniciled drawings. So no, there is no "blueprint" to beat the Pats, or any other team. As much as future opponents of the Pats will use this game film, so will Belichick.

Having said that, few teams will game plan as agressively as Philly did today, but few teams endevour to "play to win" as much as play not to lose, especially against NE. If NFL head coaches haven't figured that out yet, I doubt they will be smart enough to learn anything from these game films either. That may sound simplistic.... and actually it is, but it is something that escapes most NFL coaches who still seem to think being conservative will win games.

Mr Herman Edwards, please pick up the white courtesy phone....

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Either way, they would have been in the 34-38 point range, which is hardly shutting them down.

But I don't think you can look at NE like average teams......they don't freaken run the ball. They either get a big play or the clock stops because it's incomplete. The style of football (and they're great at it) they play lends itself to high scoring games.Against good offensive teams, they'll also give up big points.And I don't know about blueprints or whatever but the bottom line is you have to pressure Brady and try not to give up the big play. You aren't going to shutdown NE.......you won't. You coudln't shutdown Michael Jordan in basketball either but you tried to make it hard enough on him that you could possibly beat them if you played great yourself.

 

[AllVolUT]

I think the Steelers may be able to dial it up.BTW - just wanted to let you know that you only have 2 threads on the first page, and it is Sunday. Records don't break themselves, Timso.

But to answer the ? of the thread in not so many words, yes. It's obvious with any offense: you give the QB all day and he'll pick you apart.

 

[Clifton]

Great blueprint. But didn't they lose the game?

 

[The Man Who Met Andy Griffith]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.

On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.

I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Different drives. They missed the FG after the TD was called back.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

So we are going to talk about the missed gimme FG but not the gimme interception TD to start the game? Oh yeah, I forgot - everything that is a positive for the Pats is because of their talent and all of the bad stuff is just bad luck. Wipe out all of the "gimme" stuff and they lost.They didn't lose though, so any "complaining" seems more like whining. This was a prime time game against an average (5-5) NFC team (remember, the NFC stinks). You are expected to win these games, even if you aren't the team of the century. Does the rest of the NFL have hope or is it still a season lost?

See, I don't get into that stuff....the 5-5 NFC team. When Dallas played Buffalo the week before and barely won many Pats fans were saying "We beat Buffalo by 30 points, that means we're going to kill you." Well, they did win and handily by the end but that line of thinking is flawed.Dallas played Philly a couple weeks back in Philly and absolutely destroyed them, wasn't even a game. With that kind of logic, you could say Dallas would kill NE.........which is why you can't just line up teams like that.

 

[slayer666]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.

 

[Judge Smails]

I'll ignore the Aldo psychotic NE conspiracy to keep it close comments for now.

You can not stop the Patriot offense. Brady and the scheme are just too good. That being said, it's obvious they can be slowed down with the right game plan and excellent execution. Yudkin's points are well taken, but don't forget 7 of those points came on an INT return and had nothing to do with the offense. Moss did push off to get separation. He does it all the time, and this time they called it. And kickers miss all the time, so I don't get that point. So really the offense scored 24 points. To me, that's a great defensive effort. They did what all teams have been trying to do - get in Brady's face and take away Moss deep. Still, most teams won't have the personnel to pull this off like the Eagles did - maybe the Steelers if 100% healthy but I doubt it. In summary, I still don't think there's really any new blueprint to beat this offense. The Eagles just executed.

The Pats D is another story. They have been known to be soft against the run, and now teams know that the middle of the field is the way to go in the passing game. If it were me, I'd have whomever's up against Samuel do down and outs all day and then look elsewhere. Bruschi and Vrabel did nothing noteworthy today, and Thomas was only slightly better.

The aura of invicibility is gone in my opinion. They're undefeated, and you have to give them props for coming back and winning a tough game tonight, but there will be a slowdown in their swagger. It was great to see Bill B, Brady and others actually respect the other team/coaches after the game.

 

[timschochet]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Either way, they would have been in the 34-38 point range, which is hardly shutting them down.

But I don't think you can look at NE like average teams......they don't freaken run the ball. They either get a big play or the clock stops because it's incomplete. The style of football (and they're great at it) they play lends itself to high scoring games.Against good offensive teams, they'll also give up big points.And I don't know about blueprints or whatever but the bottom line is you have to pressure Brady and try not to give up the big play. You aren't going to shutdown NE.......you won't. You coudln't shutdown Michael Jordan in basketball either but you tried to make it hard enough on him that you could possibly beat them if you played great yourself.

In terms of the comparison you made with Michael Jordan:One of the wonderful things about the playoffs in football (at least for the underdog) is that its a one game elimination. It was almost impossible for teams to defeat the Michael Jordan Bulls in a 7 game series, although he might lose one night.It WOULD be impossible to defeat the Patriots in a 7 game series, but you don't need to. If you're Indy, Pittsburgh, Green Bay or Dallas, (and lets be real, these are the teams we're talking about here) all you've got to do is beat New England ONCE in the playoffs. And perhaps this game helped show the way to do it...

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.

On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.

I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Different drives. They missed the FG after the TD was called back.

No bud, it was the same drive. It was first and goal from the 4 and it was a TD to Moss. It went back to the 14 yard line and the Pats didn't do much from there. The field goal was barely missed if it was missed at all.....but it all was on the same drive.

 

[LTsharks]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Either way, they would have been in the 34-38 point range, which is hardly shutting them down.

I love your stuff here on FBG, but are you serious here? They scored 31 points tonight. The person above me is pointing out that they got 3 points on the drive you are complaining about them not getting 7. How does that translate to more points? The offense scored 24 points. Did they get "shut down"??? heck no, but you shouldn't go trying to make this game look like many of their others.And back to my previous point - if NE doesn't dominate, then of course it is because they played poorly.

 

[AllVolUT]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Either way, they would have been in the 34-38 point range, which is hardly shutting them down.

But I don't think you can look at NE like average teams......they don't freaken run the ball. They either get a big play or the clock stops because it's incomplete. The style of football (and they're great at it) they play lends itself to high scoring games.Against good offensive teams, they'll also give up big points.And I don't know about blueprints or whatever but the bottom line is you have to pressure Brady and try not to give up the big play. You aren't going to shutdown NE.......you won't. You coudln't shutdown Michael Jordan in basketball either but you tried to make it hard enough on him that you could possibly beat them if you played great yourself.

In terms of the comparison you made with Michael Jordan:One of the wonderful things about the playoffs in football (at least for the underdog) is that its a one game elimination. It was almost impossible for teams to defeat the Michael Jordan Bulls in a 7 game series, although he might lose one night.It WOULD be impossible to defeat the Patriots in a 7 game series, but you don't need to. If you're Indy, Pittsburgh, Green Bay or Dallas, (and lets be real, these are the teams we're talking about here) all you've got to do is beat New England ONCE in the playoffs. And perhaps this game helped show the way to do it...

And I don't know if I would count out the Jags just yet.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

I think if they created a blueprint, they should have been successful.

My blueprint is a bit easier: Outscore the Patriots and you'll win.

 

[Judge Smails]

The Pats got 31 points, missed a gimme FG, and had a TD called back against Moss that IMO was not PI. That could very easily have been a 41 point game for NE on a night when they clearly were not firing on all cylinders. I'm not sure that that's a defensive blueprint for anything.

On offense, the Eagles certainly did score more points than others have, but IMO Feely had a very could night accuracy wise. So sure, if another team has a QB that has pinpoint accuracy most of the game and the Pats receivers drop a bunch of passes, then sure, I suppose that would be a blueprint for success.

I do believe that the Pats defense showed some holes tonight, NE will run the defense ragged in practice this week to better address those, however.

They also got a TD on defense against a 2nd string QB. The gimme FG and the TD called back was on the same drive wasn't it, you can't score 10 points on 1 drive. Either they get the 7 for the TD you mentioned or the 3 for the missed FG, not both. They're good but not that good.

Either way, they would have been in the 34-38 point range, which is hardly shutting them down.

I love your stuff here on FBG, but are you serious here? They scored 31 points tonight. The person above me is pointing out that they got 3 points on the drive you are complaining about them not getting 7. How does that translate to more points? The offense scored 24 points. Did they get "shut down"??? heck no, but you shouldn't go trying to make this game look like many of their others.And back to my previous point - if NE doesn't dominate, then of course it is because they played poorly.

Of course. Don't give the other team credit for playing a great game. That's the Patriot fan way.

 

[NE_REVIVAL]

I thought the Eagles were awesome tonight and did a great job of frustrating the Pats on both sides of the ball. Blueprint? Maybe, I guess the blueprint is to get great play from your QB, OL and receivers and get a good pass rush while applying good coverage in your secondary. However, that is much easier said than done. IMO, NE did not bring their "A" game and were fortunate to win with their "B" game.

Terrific game plan and exectution by the Eagles.

Anything can happen, but NE clinched their division tonight before they even stepped on the field and were due for a teeny bit of an off game and IMO this was it. I don't see anyone left on the schedule capable duplicating the tremendous effort put forth by the Eagles. NE will play better next week against BAL and very likely win, and make no mistake about it, the following week they will win going away against PIT.