Doesn't matter. At least in those blowouts there were still some spectacular plays, great commercials, decent halftime entertainment. There was nothing of the sort in this entire game. Most people I know got to a point where they simply didn't care who won, they just wanted the damn thing over.
I loved the game.
A defensive battle is such a rarity these days. And a great one it was. 3-3 into the fourth quarter. Any big offensive or defensive play could have turned that game. When the Pats went up by 7 it was HUGE. Had it been the Rams who went up by seven it would have been just as huge. The clock was ticking down. The subplot became could the Rams answer or would Goff turn the ball over with a desperate throw. Even after the pick with 4 minutes and change left, the Pats were backed up to their goalline. Dangerous territory. If the Pats couldn't get a couple of first downs the Rams would have gotten the ball back with good field position for their (likely) final assault. But the Pats sprung not one, but two 26 yard runs. Game over.
I think that those who tuned in expecting validation from Brady the GOAT were disappointed. But that isn't supposed to be what the goal of the coaches and players is supposed to be. It was a GIANT chess match, a heavyweight battle, where mistake(s) could be fatal. Guarded play ruled.
GREAT, GREAT GAME.
A defensive battle is such a rarity these days. And a great one it was. 3-3 into the fourth quarter. Any big offensive or defensive play could have turned that game. When the Pats went up by 7 it was HUGE. Had it been the Rams who went up by seven it would have been just as huge. The clock was ticking down. The subplot became could the Rams answer or would Goff turn the ball over with a desperate throw. Even after the pick with 4 minutes and change left, the Pats were backed up to their goalline. Dangerous territory. If the Pats couldn't get a couple of first downs the Rams would have gotten the ball back with good field position for their (likely) final assault. But the Pats sprung not one, but two 26 yard runs. Game over.
I think that those who tuned in expecting validation from Brady the GOAT were disappointed. But that isn't supposed to be what the goal of the coaches and players is supposed to be. It was a GIANT chess match, a heavyweight battle, where mistake(s) could be fatal. Guarded play ruled.
GREAT, GREAT GAME.
With all due respect Michelangelo, I think you're pushing it describing this as some great defensive battle. How many sacks were there? How many fumbles? How many interceptions? How many big hits? Many of the hurried throws were simply two quarterbacks thinking there was more pressure than there was (Romo and Nance both commented on it, especially with Goff). Sure, there were times when the QBs couldn't step up to get into their throws, but many of them were just poor throws bouncing the ball to receivers. Goff was actually late on two potential TDs throws, so clearly it wasn't the pressure. Now compare that to what the Broncos did to Cam Newton. The guy was so beaten up by halftime, they had to give him IVs. Neither Goff nor Brady looked any worse for wear when this game was over. I think you're confusing "defensive battle" with a game that was simply played close to the vest as neither coach was going to take any chances. Belichick knew he didn't need to, and McVay for some reason thought his team was good enough to beat the Patriots by playing that style (big mistake on his part). I'm glad you liked it, but the ratings and comments all over the internet paint a much different picture of how the public felt about it.
