Exciting but sluggish first half overall for both teams.
Not a good sign that NE's offense seems to be stalling a lot more although the refs really didn't help us in that half (missed calls and that BS PI call to set up PIT's 2nd TD). Also Edelman has had like 2 big drops which is uncharacteristic of him (had 1 big one last week too).
NE has to come out and do something with the ball. I trust this defense (and Big Ben's mistakes) will keep us in it, but the offense has to start converting on their chances and scoring. If we need to, keep passing the ball or try some trickery, because these runs up the middle are predictably getting stuffed.
I think this 2nd half will tell us a lot about this team. If they falter and lose, I think it's a wild card team that wins one home game and that's it in the playoffs. If they make good adjustments, do well and win, they'll prove that they're probably at least going to the AFCCG (and obviously get a lot closer to clinching a first round bye)
Well, as I predicted, the defense and a Big Ben mistake (the 2nd INT) kept them in the game, but boy that offense was putrid. YIKES. Seriously, what the hell is with this red zone offense and playcalling??!? It's like once they get inside the 20, they have no clue what to do and just stutter completely. Where's Josh Gordon in these kind of situations? And on that final drive, Brady threw like 3 passes that weren't even catchable over the end zone, then practically floats 1 essentially into a triple team to end the game. Also, this is now the 2nd straight game Brady has made an awful decision in the red zone (last week, taking a sack right before the half to cost the team 3 points, and today the INT to Haden).
Ultimately though, the penalties KILLED the team. Hard to win any game when you have 14 penalties in a single game and the other team only has like 3-4.
What really summed up today though... 3rd and 4 in the red zone, down 14-7, and we call a freakin' WR screen that somehow didn't get picked/batted down and had virtually no chance of going for a first down anyway the way PIT's defense was lined up. Really McDaniels!?!?
Credit to Edelman for almost converting it, but still not good enough.
Anyways, yeah this is probably a WC team. Should win their home game but then next round (divisional) will lose to HOU/LAC/KC on the road (depending on who gets 1-2 seeds based on seeding).