We all need to figure out why the Pats' defense blew out the Colts' offense on Sunday

[trench1978]

They had backup CBs starting and they still dominated.

What I think happened is that the starting CBs for the Patriots have developed over the course of the season with playing time and they were very talented to begin with.

Ty Law will likely be gone after this year because of all the rumors about friction between him and Bellichik in the past. Couple that with the Patriots dominating one of the best offenses of all time with other CBs, Law may not be back.

So, my conclusion is that the Pats current starting CBs can cover, run and hit AND the gameplanning of the Pats is second to none. If these CBs couldn't play well, the good gameplanning alone couldn't hold the Colts to 3 points. Maybe 17 or 20, but not 3.

These Patriots are amazing. Their defense's accomplishment this past Sunday were absolutely remarkable.

Scott

 

[blueedwards]

they are a better-coached, better prepared team. period.

 

[ElIguana]

Also, weather and field conditions were in Pats' favor. Don't underestimate that.

 

[whormoan]

Did NE's CB dominate or did Indy not challenge them? To me it's the latter. Indy did not take a single shot deep. Manning's longest pass ATTEMPT was 18 yards. Covered or not, they had to try some downfield passes to Wayne & Harrison and trust they could make plays.

The key to this week's game is the same thing. Will Pitt come out conservative and play not to lose and run into the line for 3 yards on every first down, or will they play-fake and take some shots downfield to Burress, Ward, & Randle-El on jump balls in one on one coverage.

I'm not convinced NE's CB's did anything special last week.

 

[blueedwards]

well, i guarantee you that the colts' game plan included deep pass plays. why didn't they throw deep then...i think the patriot defense dictated what manning could and could not do. that's why the pats won.

 

[jwunderdog]

"The key to this week's game is the same thing. Will Pitt come out conservative and play not to lose and run into the line for 3 yards on every first down, or will they play-fake and take some shots downfield to Burress, Ward, & Randle-El on jump balls in one on one coverage.

I'm not convinced NE's CB's did anything special last week."

I don't think you can compare the two games. Indy passes the ball to set-up the run, Pitt runs the ball to setup the pass. Pitt will be quite happy to play filed position unlike the pass happy colts.

The real question in my mind is has NE found a way to stop the power running attack of the Steelers? they sure as hell didn't stop them the first game(220 yrds).<!-- / message -->

 

[sphincter]

time of possession....you don`t have the ball,it`s hard to get into a rhythm for a finesse passing club..the pats took away the deep ball......the colts never got untracked...

pitt will try and win t.o.p.....they will try and wear down the pats defense....and the key will be for big ben to play trent dilfer......don`t hurt your team...

it`s utterly amazing that the steelers are stil in this...considering the turnovers....and the defensive and special teams t.d.`s scored by the jets...

it just may be the steeler`s year...

 

[3peet]

colts completely abandoned the run also. Granted they had no success passing given they never went over 20 yards.

The moment I saw Payton squnting I knew it was gonna be a long day for the Colts.

Pats outta their element and homefield I really don't give em that much of an advantage. Not against Duce & Jerome.

Colts D was no where near what the Steelers are gonna bring this Sunday. Look for Polomalu to have another steller performance.

 

[TescoVee]

Manning is at his best when the defense sets and he can audibilize at the line. KC and Denver last 2 playoff years will just stand there and let Peyton read them. The Pats never sit still. They move everyone around. Did you notice how much the Defenders all talk to each other before the hike? Bruschi, Vrabel and Harrison all move constantly until it is hiked. Peyton isnt as effective when he has to make his reads after the snap. Plus the DL's were putting pressure on all day.

 

[Kobe08]

Indy should of stayed in no huddle and not going for it on that fourth and 1 at midfield was a turning point in the game.


I hate to say it, but after watching a lot of Indy games, Dungy maybe a good defensive coach, but he doesn't understand how to manage the game. Belicheck dominated Dungy in this department.

 

[THEBUFFROCK]

coaching, coaching, coaching!

 

[maverick2112]

well, i guarantee you that the colts' game plan included deep pass plays. why didn't they throw deep then...i think the patriot defense dictated what manning could and could not do. that's why the pats won.

The Colts gameplan must have not included throwing deep passes..........BECAUSE THEY DIDNT EVEN TRY TO THROW DEEP!!!!!!.........and dont tell me NE dictated that they were unable to throw deep.........if this was the case then why do teams try hail mary passes and end of halves and games?? The truth is that the Colts didnt even try to streeeccchhh the field at all..........Dungy at his finest.........by never trying to throw deep he gave NE one threat they didnt have to defense all day.........

 

[mhk]

When the recievers get punked out at the line of scrimmage, can't get off the ball, how the hell are you going to throw deep. NE does a nice job of eliminating one or two wr's on every play, and the lb'ers can cover the te and rb on screens. Thats all the Indy offense is, and they took it away.. Combine that with different looks, poor weather, a limited # of possesions, going deep, across the middle, it isn't going to happen..

 

[trench1978]

The Eagles moved guys around on defense before the snap. Did you see the way that Sheldon Brown and Trotter were showing blitz when the offense lined up, then dropped back into a zone? They had done that several times.

The Patriots defense had a more dominating game this weekend than the Eagles though and I think those two defenses will face in the Super Bowl with the Patriots winning it.

The Steelers are a good team too but I think they'll lose this week.

Scott

 

[PatPatriot]

Word from the Pats people is what they did is play 2 safties deep and gave the impression that the middle was open.Taking away anything deep.

If you notice that great field general that calls his own plays was lleft clueless again.

Here is another reason from coldhardfootballfacts.com

<LI>Hello. I love the site. I have a little non-Cold, Hard Football Fact-related story to share. I'm a member of the end-zone militia (the guys in costume with guns at Gillette Stadium). We were in the tunnel prior to the game. As Manning turned to walk out of the tunnel he saw us grinning at him, chanting “cut that meat!” in the drifting snow and, well, for just a moment he looked scared out of his mind. I’ve never played football but I know fear when I see it. Manning played scared. That, as much as anything else in my uninformed troll opinion for which there are no stats to prove, is why he lost.
- Adam Carrire CHFF: There's nothing better than seeing you guys in the end zone with the muskets and the snow falling all around you. Your crew in the snow is one of the iconic images of the current New England run over the past few years. But we’ll tell you what. The thought of a bunch of grown men dressed up like Minutemen carrying muskets and chanting “cut that meat” as Manning walked out of the tunnel is about the funniest thing we’ve ever heard. No wonder he was scared. A boy from the Deep South who now plays in a dome was walking into his own personal hellhole on a dark, snowy night in the biggest game of his career surrounded by a bunch of guys with guns chanting “cut that meat.” Surreal, we believe, is the word that comes to mind.

 

[NEWPORT]

PEYTON MANNING IS VERY OVER RATED, AND HE PLAYS THE BEST ON A FAST TRACK WITH NO ELEMENTS


DEFINTLEY NOT A

BART STARR

TERRY BRADSHAW

JOHNNY UNITAS

JOHN ELWAY

TROY AIKMAN


TOUGH QB.......he is not tough at ALL......The offense schem he runs is also to take pressure off of him, because he is horrible under pressure.

 

[husker]

ne took away long pass and lb's made every tackle on short passes just like tb's defence used to against rams great offense.weather also a factor most teams are built to play well at home in any sport, thats where half you'r games are played. dunge vs belecheck is a BIG mismatch, tb won sb when he left.