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There was a clear drop in their play after week 11. They simply did not look like the same team after their close victory over the Eagles....

Peaked too soon?

Too cocky?

Got beat by a better team?

giants came out ready to play, especially on the 1st drive

Seymour and his BIG MOUTH: "Get ready to go home" he told the Giants in the 4th quarter after the pats scored.

Colts showed that Matt Light and Nick Kaczur were average tackles who could be exploited easily with good pass-rushing Defensive ends.

Front four was able to get pressure on the Patriots without rushing anyone else. Umenyiora, Strahan, and Tuck are as good as it gets in terms of a trio of pass rushers. Brady was never comfortable in the pocket, and once he started getting hit, a lot of his throws started losing the normal uncanny accuracy we're accustomed to seeing. They didn't give up the big plays especially the Brady to Moss bombs either. Their offense was able to make enough big plays to win the game.

I think the defense did wear down somewhat as the season went on, but that's not what killed them tonight. But i'll go with J. Kim on the offensive line problems. And tonight happened to be a stinker for the whole line, including Mankins and Koppen.

For a team that was still in the "greatest ever" conversation less than an hour ago, the Patriots have some bloody glaring needs for this offseason: left tackle and linebacker. They'll probably need a new cornerback too assuming $$$$$$GET$$$$$$PAID$$$$$ leaves.

HCYanks wrote:I think the defense did wear down somewhat as the season went on, but that's not what killed them tonight. But i'll go with J. Kim on the offensive line problems. And tonight happened to be a stinker for the whole line, including Mankins and Koppen.

For a team that was still in the "greatest ever" conversation less than an hour ago, the Patriots have some bloody glaring needs for this offseason: left tackle and linebacker. They'll probably need a new cornerback too assuming $$$$$$GET$$$$$$PAID$$$$$ leaves.

Definitely. Mankins did not look like his usual "Half-Man, Half-bear" self.

And that Right Guard... I forget what his name is... was getting steamrolled by the Giants DTs. Easily overpowered.

Tuck was a man amongst boys.

JellosJigglin wrote:Peaked too soon?

Too cocky?

Got beat by a better team?

All good points.

Their defense was suspect all year as it continues to get older. The OL could use some help as well.

Also, it will be interesting what version of Randy Moss shows up.

What we learned most is what the Patriots showed how to rattle Manning and that's put constant pressure on him. For most of the game, Brady was either on his ass or out of sync. To his credit, he showed up with I'm sure New England thought was the winning drive, but for the most part their offense was shutdown.

Not only did Plaxico score the winning touchdown, but his prediction was vindicated and he has the last laugh on the golden boy

J.Kim wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Definitely. Mankins did not look like his usual "Half-Man, Half-bear" self.

And that Right Guard... I forget what his name is... was getting steamrolled by the Giants DTs. Easily overpowered.

Stephen Neal got injured at halftime and Hochstein replaced him. Neither one did much.

ran out of humble pie.

Interestingly enough, the Pats began to lose their aura of invincibility somewhere about week 12 or so, even though they continued to win. The Giants, on the other hand, just got on a HUGE roll, and Eli Manning really came into his own during that stretch.

It was just one of those fate things.

You put pressure on any QB and knock him around a little bit, and any passing game will start to bog down. It doesn't matter whether it's Tom Brady or Rex Grossman.

From what I saw from the game, their gameplan was to play Zone defense all night long, let the Giants run the ball if they want but to deny them the big downfield passes that killed Green Bay.

On the offensive side, Brady never got into a rhythm because of the Giants constant pressure. IMO they simply couldn't find Welker enough.

gooGD wrote:From what I saw from the game, their gameplan was to play Zone defense all night long, let the Giants run the ball if they want but to deny them the big downfield passes that killed Green Bay.

On the offensive side, Brady never got into a rhythm because of the Giants constant pressure. IMO they simply couldn't find Welker enough.

they found welker more than anyone has ever found a receiver in the superbowl before.
the Giants just took away all of the patriots' other options, is all.

djtruebeliever wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


they found welker more than anyone has ever found a receiver in the superbowl before.
the Giants just took away all of the patriots' other options, is all.

Dude, I know Welker's stats, Giants took all downfield threat away. Brady was successful in the 2nd half when he realized he had to make short 7-10 yard throws against the Giants, you cant try and bomb it because of the pressure they brought.

Check Welkers stats in the first half and 2nd half.

They found him when it was too late. If they went to quick slants and inside corner routes with Welker earlier in the game it wouldve been a long night for the gmen.

ran out of batteries for the sony camcorder i think

What happened to the Patriots??
You can't coach against athleticism and physical dominance
The Giants DL is the most athletic in football, when they are on their game theres nothing you can do. Even if your Bill Belichick

to be honest, tom brady was brilliant in that game. he got knocked over so many times but he stayed focused and didn't throw an interception. the o-line takes majority of the blame. matt light simple wasn't in the game.