The AFCCG Post Game Thread: at Denver

[SeoulSoxFan]

No goats today folks -- these Patriots have played too well all season battling an unbelievable amount of injuries. 
 
Just didn't have it for Brady & Co. Never could take advantage of the depleted secondary, lost on both trenches, and Brady missed key throws. 
 
It's not the end of the an era. It's not the end of Brady. When the supporting cast was better, Brady was a top-5 QB. 
 
I think Amendola was not right all season. Gronk was lost, and both Thompkins (inactive) and Dobson were both hobbled at the end. 
 
Very reminiscent of the 2006 season, with a loss to the same Peyton Manning, and BB got TB some weapons. 
 
A game like this is always painful, but these Patriots deserve a lot of credit. And 2014 looks pretty bright still.

 

[Devizier]

Just a nota bene before we get this started:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sjT7Jpa2Ek

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Offensive line. Too much pressure up the middle all game.

Defense couldn't get off the field. But held Denver to less then 30 points in Denver on a perfect day without Talib.

Brady needed to make more throws.

 

[Stitch01]

Meh, just thought they weren't quite good enough in any aspect. Not sure who to single out, just beaten by a better team.

 

[mwonow]

goat (not GOAT)? That kind of points to one guy, doesn't it?
 
Whatever. Tip o' the hat to Peyton and the rest of the guys in Orange. They won it more than the Pats lost it. Mostly in the trenches, where their guys were better than ours. Dishonouable mention for Mankins.

 

[Section15Box113]

I said it elsewhere, but it belongs here:
 
Amazing year for a really enjoyable, really gutsy, thoroughly likable team.
 
Can't believe they got as far as they did with all of the injuries. 
 
Just a great ride.

 

[Kliq]

Love the Pats, but they have found away to lose to the most aggravating opponent over the last few seasons. First we lose the revenge game against New York, then we lose to murdering Ray Lewis, and now we get our asses kicked by Peyton Manning. Just a depressing day all around.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

This was as thoroughly they've been beaten all year, including the Cincinnati game.  There's a lot of blame to go around.
 
Disappointed, but not angry/bitter.  

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

It definitely does not sting as much as other loses because this team over achieved so much. Will feel even better if the NFC team wins the Super Bowl.

Pats open as Super Bowl favorites next year?

 

[axx]

Even though it wasn't really over until Vereen was stuffed on the 2PC, this was a blowout. The Broncos only punted once and scored on their other 6 drives (not counting the one that ended the game). They couldn't really run the ball. Brady overthrew a bunch of receivers, although some looked deliberate.

 

[KingPK]

Just a nota bene before we get this started:
 

So I can't say the team fucking embarrassed themselves because Drunken Charles Barkley would think less of me?

Just lose in the divisional round next time, guys.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Terrance Knighton was the key difference in my opinion. TB facing an interior pass rush w/o blitzing is kryptonite. 

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

It's funny that the guys who post here all the time seem to feel completely different then the people posting in here for the first time.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Got our ass kicked in every phase. Particularly disappointed in the interior OL and I hope we draft some help there.

Lots of positives to take away from this season. The youngest team in the league, with some of the worst injuries, fielding a squad that counted like $90M against the cap, made the AFCCG.

 

[patinorange]

Terrance Knighton was the key difference in my opinion. TB facing an interior pass rush w/o blitzing is kryptonite. 

This seems to be the winning formula over the last 10 years in the playoffs against Brady and Bill.

 

[H78]

The whole game really came down to not being able to stop them on 3rd down. It's easy to say "who wouldn't have been happy giving up only 26 points?" But in reality, giving up 26 points combined with first down after first down after first down meant the Broncos would never need more than 26 points.

Yes the team overachieved and I'm proud of them, blah blah...but when you have a chance at a Super Bowl and you get dominated in every phase of the game, you deserve to be criticized.

 

[bowiac]

There's no goat obviously, but Brady just isn't quite enough anymore to make up for injuries elsewhere. Sad to watch, as it's the first time it's felt like the "end of an era."

 

[fiskful of dollars]

I'll second what others have said…young, scrappy likable team.
Frustrating loss. It seems we hit the ceiling every year in the playoffs..at least lately.
 
What do you guys think we need to get over the hump next year? O-line is my pick. I like our young receivers but a deep threat wouldn't hurt.

 

[steveluck7]

Maybe not goats but downs.
Josh Mcd. I know Brady had limited weapons but  it seems like in the postseason he goes in with a gameplan and when it doesn't work to his liking he immediately abandons it. It looked like the O was haphazard for the rest of the day.
O-line, esp. 70. Beaten nonstop on big 3rd and 4th downs, including the sack that really changed things.
Talib... i know he was hurt but that seems like his MO. Big game? I'm getting hurt... more annoying than anything.
 
And , of course because i have a blinding hatred for him... Arrington. One throw to Decker. A typical manning wobbler, Kyle is trailing but still has his eyes on the ball then looks back at the receiver, loses the ball, and gives up a first own reception. If he had kept his eyes on the ball, he at wors breaks it up and possibly grabs an INT.
 
note: Reactionary, i know

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

They've got to get more stout up he middle. Mankins contract is starting to look more and more like an albatross. Honestly it comes down to gronk. Will he be on the field?

 

[Byrdbrain]

So I can't say the team fucking embarrassed themselves because Drunken Charles Barkley would think less of me?

Just lose in the divisional round next time, guys.

This post is embarrassing.

 

[m0ckduck]

Even though it wasn't really over until Vereen was stuffed on the 2PC, this was a blowout. The Broncos only punted once and scored on their other 6 drives (not counting the one that ended the game). They couldn't really run the ball. Brady overthrew a bunch of receivers, although some looked deliberate.

 
Was this the most boring postseason loss of the BB era? it felt that way to me. 2010 division round loss to Jets had the upset factor. 2009 loss to Ravens had the pit-in-stomach ass-kicking-in-our-stadium factor. Not that these are good things. But, they at least added drama, dynamism. This loss felt like the most pedestrian of endings to a Brady-Bellichek season. It felt like the end of a Pats season from the 80s or 90s.
 
Edit: granted, one of the very better seasons from the 80s or 90s. But still.

 

[Section15Box113]

Disappointed, but not angry/bitter.  

 
This.  We needed things to click on offense and defense.  And needed turnovers.
 
Instead, we lost Talib early - which shifted all of our coverages from tough matchups to unfavorable matchups - and Manning was absolutely masterful.
 
Never thought we'd be here given Mayo, Wilfork, Kelly, Vollmer, and Gronk.
 
Tip your cap, as painful as it is, and look back on what was for me a fun ride.
 
And as Field Yates just tweeted:
"Already looking forward to next season."

 

[DannyHeep]

It definitely does not sting as much as other loses because this team over achieved so much. Will feel even better if the NFC team wins the Super Bowl.

Pats open as Super Bowl favorites next year?

 
Pats won't open as favorites. Jesus.

 

[Morning Woodhead]

Bill seems much more open this presser than past season ending ones. Almost like he knows they were playing with house money.

 

[Sportsbstn]

 
Pats won't open as favorites. Jesus.

 
I cant possibly imagine he was serious.  

 

[Luis Taint]

If the front office doesn't go for a true deep threat wide-out, they are doing all of us a huge disservice.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

If the front office doesn't go for a true deep threat wide-out, they are doing all of us a huge disservice.

Completely disagree. Brady throws terrible deep balls. They are wasted play, even when guys are open. I'd rather they get another big WR to play behind or with Dobson

 

[moly99]

So I can't say the team fucking embarrassed themselves because Drunken Charles Barkley would think less of me?

Just lose in the divisional round next time, guys.

 
While Barkley is ignoring the fact that ALL fans are irrational, he is right that Pats fans are.
 
The Pats didn't embarrass themselves, they just got beaten by one one of the best QB's of all time. (I know we love to hate him, but at some point you just have to acknowledge that he -and Kobe and Jeter- really are fantastic players.) It happens, just like Manning has been beaten repeatedly.
 
Honestly I think they did a great job this year. They didn't let the Hernandez trial affect them, Brady worked through most of his issues with the young WR's, the defense played through injuries and they made the final 4 despite all of the challenges facing them. For 90% of teams this was a good performance; we just have very high expectations. You can't expect to make the Super Bowl every year.
 

 

[Tony C]

On the one hand, they were dominated which makes the loss easier to take.
 
On the other hand, as BB seems to be emphasizing in his press conference, there were lots of opportunities. Holding the Broncos to FGs mitigated being dominated and opened up opportunites such that with some better throws by Brady, Arrington being more heads-up, no Talib injury, going to Ridley earlier on the ground (Blount was not a good match), and perhaps a better block by Mankins and a better call by Josh McD. on that 2-point conversion.
 
That said, can't be bitter when you root for an overachiever -- kudos to the team.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

If the front office doesn't go for a true deep threat wide-out, they are doing all of us a huge disservice.

 
Like Mike Wallace?
 
How about they improve the lines and further develop the wideouts they just drafted?

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Welker flying into Talib's legs is going to bother me for a while.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

I'll second what others have said…young, scrappy likable team.
Frustrating loss. It seems we hit the ceiling every year in the playoffs..at least lately.
 
What do you guys think we need to get over the hump next year? O-line is my pick. I like our young receivers but a deep threat wouldn't hurt.

 

If the front office doesn't go for a true deep threat wide-out, they are doing all of us a huge disservice.

 
I cordially invite everyone to either the excellent draft needs thread:
 
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/79610-the-really-too-early-nfl-draft-thread/
 
or the general offseason thread:
 
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/81170-the-2014-offseason-thread/

 

[Untold]

Sour grapes: Keep drafting UFDA's in the 2nd and 3rd, Bill. Eventually that spells CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

[Stitch01]

On the one hand, they were dominated which makes the loss easier to take.
 
On the other hand, as BB seems to be emphasizing in his press conference, there were lots of opportunities. Holding the Broncos to FGs mitigated being dominated and opened up opportunites such that with some better throws by Brady, Arrington being more heads-up, no Talib injury, going to Ridley earlier on the ground (Blount was not a good match), and perhaps a better block by Mankins and a better call by Josh McD. on that 2-point conversion.
 
That said, can't be bitter when you root for an overachiever -- kudos to the team.

Yeah there were chances, but they had to be really sharp to beat a better team today and weren't. This one didn't hurt as much as the last three years for me, they lost to a superior team this time.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

I've said it before and some might disagree but I'd rather they lose in the AFCCG then the SB.
 
Still disappointing. A Talib injury in back to back years kill us. 
 
This years team was a lot like the Sox team. Gritty and never gave up. They were outplayed today.

 

[H78]

Completely disagree. Brady throws terrible deep balls. They are wasted play, even when guys are open. I'd rather they get another big WR to play behind or with Dobson

Well maybe it's time to legitimately start thinking about drafting a true eventual replacement? The long ball has never been more valuable than it is now with all of the DB restrictions.

 

[Stitch01]

Sour grapes: Keep drafting UFDA's in the 2nd and 3rd, Bill. Eventually that spells CHAMPIONSHIP.

It looks like Collins, Harmon, and Ryan were all really good picks this year. Do you disagree?

 

[Sportsbstn]

Im more disappointed the offense completely did not show till it was far too late.  Manning is a terrific QB, Brady and the offense never should have gotten shut down by a mediocre at best Denver defense.   With that said, the Pats will hopefully stay a bit more healthy next year and hopefully Brady still plays at a high level, and things will be ok.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Sour grapes: Keep drafting UFDA's in the 2nd and 3rd, Bill. Eventually that spells CHAMPIONSHIP.

 
Yup - because BB keeps drafting guys like Dennard in the 7th, or trade a 7th to get Blount, or draft a "4-6th rounder" Vollmer in the 2nd. 

 

[Stitch01]

Well maybe it's time to legitimately start thinking about drafting a true eventual replacement? The long ball has never been more valuable than it is now with all of the DB restrictions.

He's still a top ten QB, you can win a SB with him for a few more years.

 

[Seels]

Too hurt. Hard to get too upset as not a lot of teams are going to fare well without basically 5 players of at least pro bowl status in Mayo Wilfork Gronk Hernandez and Vollmer, and that's not even touching the injuries to Talib and Kelly.
 
I'd like to think they get some help via free agency but there are no obvious cuts and the cap space is limited. Maybe Wilfork gets restructured.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Meh, just thought they weren't quite good enough in any aspect. Not sure who to single out, just beaten by a better team.

Yup.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

I've said it before and some might disagree but I'd rather they lose in the AFCCG then the SB.
 
Still disappointing. A Talib injury in back to back years kill us. 
 
This years team was a lot like the Sox team. Gritty and never gave up. They were outplayed today.

 
Like most of you, this is how I feel. Outplayed and outmanned today.
 
Would be happy to drown my sorrows in seeing multiple shots of the Manning Face in the SB.

 

[Seels]

Sour grapes: Keep drafting UFDA's in the 2nd and 3rd, Bill. Eventually that spells CHAMPIONSHIP.

Go away

 

[KingPK]

While Barkley is ignoring the fact that ALL fans are irrational, he is right that Pats fans are.
 
The Pats didn't embarrass themselves, they just got beaten by one one of the best QB's of all time. (I know we love to hate him, but at some point you just have to acknowledge that he -and Kobe and Jeter- really are fantastic players.) It happens, just like Manning has been beaten repeatedly.
 
Honestly I think they did a great job this year. They didn't let the Hernandez trial affect them, Brady worked through most of his issues with the young WR's, the defense played through injuries and they made the final 4 despite all of the challenges facing them. For 90% of teams this was a good performance; we just have very high expectations. You can't expect to make the Super Bowl every year.

I'm just sick of seemingly the SAME DAMN PROBLEMS sinking this team every year. No, filling your secondary with what feels like sub-6' DBs doesn't work. No, doing the same in the receiving corps doesn't work either.

 

[E5 Yaz]

What do they do with Amendola? One target in the AFCCG?

 

[Mystic Merlin]

What do they do with Amendola? One target in the AFCCG?

 
I think they're cap-committed to him for next year, then they can cut bait freely.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

I'm just sick of seemingly the SAME DAMN PROBLEMS sinking this team every year. No, filling your secondary with what feels like sub-6' DBs doesn't work. No, doing the same in the receiving corps doesn't work either.

 
So what would be your game plan? Examples and diagrams please.

 

[mwonow]

Welker flying into Talib's legs is going to bother me for a while.

 
Yep. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but if (for example) one of the Pats had taken out Thomas on an uncalled PI, would the announcers have ignored the fact that illegal contact was responsible for the injury the whole game?