Crazy football game on Sunday. It was exhausting just to watch it.
A few thoughts on the game:
1) As crazy as it sounds to think that losing a 37 year-old linebacker to injury will make the Partiots defense significantly worse, that's exactly what's going to happen. No, they won't sink to the level of say, the Colts' defense, but without a strong presence up the middle (no Junior Seau OR Rodney Harrison), we'll be watching teams rack up a few more yards on the ground. More success on the ground translates to more success through the air, which ultimately means more points on the scoreboard. Vrabel will do a nice job on the inside, and I'm curious to see what Banta-Cain can do on the outside, but my feeling is that it just won't be as good as it has been. On a related note, the Patriots are on track to give up fewer points this season than any of the past Patriot teams (including their league-fewest points given up in the 2003 season). So why does it seem like they've given up a lot more?
2) Rex Grossman...poor Sexy Rexy...oddly enough, his 3 interceptions weren't the result of bad decisions--just bad throws. Still not sure whether that exonerates him or reinforces the perception that he's the only thing standing in the way of the Bears making the Super Bowl. I think it's more the offensive philosophy than anything--the Bears must have thrown deep 10 times that game, which I thought was pretty high. By my count, only 1 pass was caught deep, though there were 2 questionable pass interference calls. On the flip side, there were about 2 pass interference non-calls in the Patriots favor, so it's hard to complain...
3) ...but I will anyway. If pass interference is being called so often that a team like the Bears can adopt the strategy of throwing downfield 10 times, complete a pass once, and STILL be successful because they accrued about 90 penalty yards...seems like the rules may need to be revisited. I'm not going to advocate changing the rules based on one game, but if this pattern progresses, something is going to have to be done. Hey, maybe Bill Polian and the Colts can spearhead the effort (still building up to my "Why I hate the Colts" post...coming soon!).
4) The Patriots win gives me some hope--it's the first win this year against what I'd call an "elite team"--but I think they end up losing in the divisional round of the playoffs again this year. The offense is too inconsistent, and they will be easily shut down by a playoff-caliber defense. Offensively, the Patriots look too slow, especially on the outside. Here's to hoping for some playoff magic, a la the 2001 Patriots.
And now...Tom Brady prepares to fight off some attacking ninjas...
