Back in the saddle after a great time in San Diego yesterday, handing out goodies before the game, meeting a ton of awesome Patriots fans, then enjoying as stout a defensive performance as I can recall.
Being at the game live is always a little bit of a unique viewing experience, but in many ways I think you get a better feel for the rhythm of the game without all the commercial breaks while also being able to focus on whatever you want.
Must give a tip of the cap to all the Patriots fans who were out in force for the game. They were everywhere and they were loud. The section behind the Pats bench (where I sat for the 2006 AFCDG) was electric and starting chants the whole game. It was cool to be in enemy territory but feel the collective presence of so many Pats fans.
As for the game, here’s what stands out most to me.
First, as I wrote in the game plan, this was a huge game for the Pats. A win would put them very much in command of the top seed in the AFC. A loss would made a trip to Denver for the AFCCG likely. So there’s no question, with last night’s win, the Pats will have a manageable track to the Super Bowl as long as they can hold serve in the division.
Of course, what’s everyone talking about today? The Browner hit. Of course that’s not a penalty before this year, in fact Browner laid out Welker the exact same way in 2012 and there was no flag there.
But I think the outrage over the non-call is perfect for the Pats defense. We’ve all known the Pats defense lacked that vicious reputation since Rodney Harrison retired, well now it’s back and everyone in the NFL will be reminded of it every time that hit is replayed.
It was worth the penalty just to put that hit on center stage and now opponents will be even more wary every time they go up for a pass against our secondary from here on out. I love it.
Offensively the team struggled most of the day, and the biggest problem I saw was on first down. They had 24 first downs and 18 (!) of them were either incomplete or went for less than 4 yards. Nine went for no gain or lost yardage.
Those problems added up and made the third downs more difficult. Seven of 16 third downs were of six yards or more.
They also left points on the board, going 1-of-4 in the red zone.
Still, they kept fighting and found a way to break through with the big play to Edelman that was the play of the game.
But it’s the defense and special teams that get most of the credit. That’s actually a very good sign, especially on the road, of how balanced this year’s Patriots team is.
Other than one 11-play touchdown drive, the Chargers really did nothing on offense. Just look at the domination in the second half:
Seemed like the Chargers were only having success on crossing patterns early in the game, and the Pats shifted up to more Cover-3 looks, with short-zone linebackers/safeties teeing off on those in the second half. That shut down everything the Chargers were doing.
Jamie Collins impressed me so much last night, and he’s really been picking up steam the last few weeks. Early in the season (when he was on the injury report with a thigh injury), I thought Collins looked a little too tentative, more reliant on his athleticism to get around blockers than using force.
Now Collins is using force and when he blitzes he shows incredible violence with his hands. The fact that he had a huge game with Hightower out will only build his confidence and the coach’s confidence in him.
For the Pats to come out of this last stretch of seven games, the iron of their schedule, and only have lost one game in Green Bay by six points is incredibly encouraging.
The 2014 Patriots are the most talented and balanced team since 2007. They finally have matchup pieces on defense to dictate the game, instead of just holding on and needing to rely on turnovers to get wins.
I still have some questions about their run game and ability to pick up short critical yards in big moments, but there’s plenty else that can compensate for those problem areas.
But there’s no doubt about it, 2014 Patriots are the best team in the AFC and if they’re not representing the conference in the Super Bowl it will be a disappointment, moreso than any season in the last seven.
