86spike said:
Point 1: I'm not going to sit here and let people claim I was trying to make an excuse for Denver. I was not doing so. I was pointing out the fact that they played sloppy in several instances just like SD did. When someone says "I hate this type of justification" - I object because it is not any type of justification. It is just discussing the facts of the game. I'm done arguing this.
Point 2: Harris on the field keeps Rivers' targets unavailable to him. You don't think the choice of run/pass might be influenced by what SD was seeing in coverage? Sure, Jammer being in isn't 100% of the reason for the passing success and the need to score quickly while behind late is definitely a factor, but I do think Denver took away open receivers in the first half and Harris is a big part of that (with DRC - who has been our best DB all year and Champ). My point is: you cannot say "SD should have started throwing earlier!!!!" without taking into consideration the fact that Harris was out there in coverage for the first half. Football is much more intricate than that.
If you're going to quote me, please do so accurately. I stated that I "hate that type of analysis," which is quite different than justification. You seemed to be suggesting that the only reason SD was even in the game was because of mistakes Denver made, which isn't true (you have since clarified your remarks). I wasn't the only one confused. Just because Denver did make mistakes doesn't make this type of "analysis" true. SD also made lots of mistakes, too, and while they factored into the reason(s) Denver won, they weren't the reason for it.
Moving forward, I still think Denver is quite vulnerable on D, in their different packages. San Diego dropped the ball by not passing more on first downs when Denver was playing Williams, Knighton, Iananacho, Travathian, etc., and by stubbornly trying to run against this package, they were placed in a lot of 3rd and long situations, which played into Denver's strength with their other package that involves Phillips, Jackson, Ayers, Mincy. This group wouldn't be near as stout upfront against the run, but obviously doesn't have to be when it's 3rd and 8 or longer, as was often the case yesterday.
The Pats would be smart to throw more against the Knighton/Williams front and mix in some runs on 2nd and long or intermediate when Denver subs their nickel/dime front. New England, like San Diego, has the ability to do both on offense even though San Diego never did.