An Independent Patriots Blog
Tough day for what has typically been a solid unit. The Bengals blitzed 14 times, but the Patriots offensive line appeared to be overwhelmed from the start. … Solder, who has been solid all year, gave up two sacks on the first series, three hurries and was responsible for one bad run. It looks like he missed his assignment on the first sack, as Geno Atkins was given a free pass to Brady.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/tough-day-for-what-has-typically-been-a-solid/
If they missed Vince Wilfork, it didn’t show. I guess you could quibble he might have stopped them on 4th & goal from the 1-centimeter line. But I thought they used the rotation Joe Vellano, Tommy Kelly and Chris Jones about as well as you could ask. And it didn’t appear they dumbed it down any for them. They mixed fronts. They put Vellano on the nose with Kelly as the weak side undertackle, then switched them on the next down. There was one play where Vellano was in 1-technique (on the center’s shoulder) and got snowplowed to the side by Kyle Cook for a gain. But on the next, 3rd & short, they spread both tackles out to 5-tech and brought Spikes and Mayo up into the interior gaps and they made the stops.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/if-they-missed-vince-wilfork-it-didnt-show-i/
Had a chance to take a quick look back at the game this morning and it was about what I expected. Came away even more impressed with the Bengals front. Couple them with a flat Patriots offense and the result fits.
Here are my notes, though they speak more to the big picture…
– Gotten a lot of messages from people ready to give up on the receivers, but I think that’s a decision for after the season. No question it was ugly, and though Amendola was back, he joined in on the drop parade. What I don’t like most is just that both Dobson and Thompkins continue to not catch the ball with their hands, often double-catching it or letting it hit their chest. This is something both of them really have to work on.
– If you told me we’d have to go to Cinci without Wilfork, Ridley, Vereen, Gronk and a rusty Amendola this summer I probably would’ve thought a 13-6 loss would’ve been too optimistic.
– The Pats always have a stinker early in the season. Most NFL teams do. And the stupid thing is to fly off the handle and give up. The Giants shutdown the Pats even when they had Moss and Welker with the same kind of play we saw from the Bengals yesterday. That’s what it looks like when the Pats lose, but in the long run, when the Pats get healthy, they should be better prepared to deal with games like that. Vereen would’ve been especially useful.
– I know everyone has fallen in love with being universally praised, always being in the top 5 of power rankings, and at least a couple times per game shredding a defense, but the Patriots are no longer that team. And really, how often does that team win the Super Bowl? Most had the Ravens dead and buried last year. The Giants were 9-7 in 2011. I’m not really interested in going 16-0 every year now. What interests me is using the regular season to build a resilient team who has faced a variety of challenges.
– Here are two facts: The Patriots offense will only get better this season. The Patriots defense is the best we’ve seen in years and even got by okay without Vince Wilfork. If you don’t think that could possibly be a good combination for a playoff run then you’re not paying attention. I’m not saying run over to Betfair and put money on the Pats running the table, but this team still has the mark of don’t-get-blown-out Patriots of old.
– And really, there’s not that much wrong with losing a few games. It wouldn’t hurt to get up in to the teens in the draft to get a shot at a good defensive tackle, or possibly an elite wide receiver. Not at the expense of making the playoffs of course, but consistently drafting in the low-20s makes things harder.
– This second quarter of the season will be the toughest one of the year i think. The key? Beating the Jets and Dolphins in Weeks 7 and 8. That would put a steel grasp on the division and get them almost to the Week 10 after which I expect we’ll have most everyone back.
Some game-specific notes…
– For me the play of the game was the 3rd and long conversion by the Bengals from their own two yard line. That kickstarted the only touchdown drive of the day. It still took a fourth-down attempt by the Bengals to get that touchdown. This defense might give up plays, but they have a short memory and make you earn every single yard.
– The Pats’ short-yardage offense is concerning to me, Blount just can’t seem to plow for those critical 1-2 yards. Need Ridley back for those. Or even give Bolden a shot.
– I give up on Leon Washington. He finally started as the kickoff returner, something I’ve been waiting all year for, then promptly leaves the game with an ankle injury.
– Brandon Spikes proved his value yesterday. He won’t get a new contract in-season, but I think he’s worth giving another deal to. He’s an impact player. Period.
– Credit to Mayo for balling out yesterday too. Best I’ve seen him play this year. Hope it continues.
– Praying Tommy Kelly is at practice Wednesday. I just don’t know how they’d get by without him.
– No question Brady missed some open guys yesterday and had that bad old look he usually gets in games when he’s “seeing ghosts”. The lack of reliable receivers only exacerbated it. Outside of Dobson’s long gain I didn’t see very mean times where the ball came out in rhythm, was caught cleanly, and the receiver turned up field to collect some YAC.
– What a test the Saints will be. We’ll get a true sense of what this defense is without Wilfork (and maybe Kelly, eeek), and the offense will have to show they can put some points up. Gronk and Ridley back would be a huge boost. The whole team should play with something to prove.
Patriots vs Bengals: Takeaways from New England’s 13-6 Loss to Cincinnati
Thoughts are up. You are what your record says you are and 4-1 sounds about right to me for these Pats.
From our old friend Nuggetpalooza: Since the start of the 2012 season, New England opponents who have tried runs on 3rd and 4th and short situations — classified as five yards or less — picked up a first down on just 43 percent of the time, the lowest percentage in the NFL.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/from-our-old-friend-nuggetpalooza-since-the-start/
Despite Cincy being a little erratic and the Pats being under-manned, it’s a surprise that fans only need to pay $122 on average for this one, with a get-in tag of just $39. In fact, it’s just 3% more expensive than Cincinnati Bengals tickets have averaged for 2013 home game price. It’s also a whopping 53% below the average price for Patriots tickets on the road this year.
Despite the soft ticket price this week, this matchup isn’t likely to produce soft results. After all, the Patriots just ousted a borderline desperate Atlanta Falcons on the road last week, yet again without all of their offensive studs. That proved for them once again that as long as their players aren’t dropping passes and running wrong routes like they did against the Jets in week two, Tom Brady can pretty much will them to victory.
The same can be said for Cincinnati, however, who barely lost to the Bears in week one and used a late fury against the Packers to steal an impressive in week three.
Bottom line, however, is whether or not Andy Dalton can out-dual the legendary Tom Brady. It’ll be nice if he can get a helping hand from rookie running back Giovani Bernard. And with Pats defensive tackle (aka wall) Vince Wilfork now on injured reserve, that’s something that just might happen.
Regardless, if Dalton can cut down the mistakes and attack the New England secondary with A.J. Green, the Bengals could pull off another upset. But even if they can’t, Brady and co. will make this an interesting battle that all should enjoy.
And remember, for the best deals on NFL tickets throughout the regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl, visit TiqIQ.com.
Thanks to our partners at TiqIQ for the preview – Mike D.
Allow myself to quote…myself… “This defense needs to become one that doesn’t just ‘not-lose’ games, they need to be one that wins games.”