So, I’m not going to add any more to the dissection of the Saints dominance/the Pats failures in last nights MNF, except to say that I’m surprised the Patriots didn’t at least make a game of it.
I don’t think anyone in the New England camp is sweating all too much about this loss, they are still in great position for the playoffs and even AFC home field advantage depending how the chips fall, and they’ll get another shot at the Colts/Saints if they hope to make it to the big game. If they are so fortunate expect the Pats to be much better prepared the 2nd time around.
What I will say is this: Bill Bellichick continues to prove that he has some massive stones. Just two weeks removed from the 4th and 2 debacle to end the Colts game, Bellichick went for it on a couple of early crucial 4th downs, and a late play deep in Colts territory down by a pair of touchdowns. I think all the play calls made sense (as did Sean Payton’s very effective response on the Saints lone 4th down conversion).
The Patriots ended the game 2/3 on 4th downs, and again, all the play calls probably made sense, but you get the feeling that Bellichick’s hatred for all things kicking (punts, field goals, and by this vein of thinking, definitely soccer) has opposing coaches shouting “play the game for real, man” just like playing Madden against your friend who refuses to punt. “You wouldn’t call like that in a real game”, well, apparently Bellichick would. And good for him – although last night’s game was a blowout, at least early it makes the football a lot more exciting to watch.