Running up the Score: The Saga continues
(Quote Blogman)
Week 8: Up 45-0 versus Washington with 7:16 to go, 4th and 2 at the Washington 37-yard line: You can't justify this one to me. Bring out the FG unit or just punt it. It's 45-0! Going for it is what I would do in Madden if I wanted to stick it to my opponent. Yes, this is now the bar for whether or not a score is being run up. Verdict: Running it up.
Hmmm...I agree this is running it up, though there are two mitigating factors that make it less awful. 1) Backup QB is in the game, and since the game is in hand, you might as well try and get him more reps to evaluate him in a game situation. 2) Field position makes it a long field goal, and going for it on 4th down is actually standard operating procedure for the Patriots whether the game is close or not. This doesn't make it right, but at least I can sort of see some logic behind this one.
I actually have a bigger problem with the following play:
Up 38-0 with 11 minutes to play, Brady runs the ball up the middle on 4th and 1 from the Redskins' 7 yard line. In any other situation, you would kick the field goal here. No reason to go for it unless it's to rub it in the face of your opponent. Verdict: Running it up.
Just as bad as running up the score is the trash-talking coming from the Patriots bench late in the game. I don't understand this either. I realize it's an emotional game, but why are the Patriots trying to be the assholes of the NFL? There's some speculation that it's a big "fuck you" to the rest of the league for questioning the authenticity of their past accomplishments after the whole signal-stealing fiasco. While this has some merit, it seems like a strange way to send this message.
I suppose it's poor sportsmanship, but it's funny to hear some critics say "this will come back to bite them." How, exactly?
4 Comments:
I was thinking about "coming back to bite them." Trying to think of such scenarios led me to these potential "problems," neither of which seems that significant.
-A disgruntled team has players who decide to be more aggressive / dirty on defense and try to injure Patriots players. This would be a unlikely move since it would put your own players on the line as well. On the other hand, the Patriots do play the Ravens later in the year (kidding)!
-Down the line, teams would not show any mercy to the Patriots. This doesn't really seem like a big deal and certainly doesn't affect the near term.
-If there are any other video cameras in the closet, so to speak, teams might be more willing to discuss them in public.
Unless a team can actually stop the Patriots, then they can do whatever they want with the scoring. By the way, are there any good defenses in the league this year? I plead ignorance but I suspect no.
There aren't any dominant defenses this year. I'd say the Pats and Colts would be the two closest to dominant, both averaging about 14-15 pts allowed per game.
2nd tier defenses include Green Bay, and NY Giants, possibly Tennessee Titans.
Do you think the Colts and Patriots have dominant defenses, or do you think their defensive success is related to their offensive dominance?
I guess my question would be, since the Colts, and especially the Patriots jump out to such large leads, I would think this forces opponents to be rely primarily on the passing game. Once you force a team to give up an aspect of its offense, the defense has an advantage.
The Steelers seem to not allow a lot of points from the statistics. I think the lack of good defense is part of the mediocrity in the NFL this year.
No, I think those defenses, when they are on top of their games, are pretty dominant.
I've watched more Pats than Colts, but it's safe to say that both teams can play excellent defense. Colts defense is fast and tackling well. Patriots are dominating with their size upfront. Playing with a huge lead forces the opposition to start throwing. But both teams' run defense has also proven to be solid. Neither team is "great" yet, but both are very very good.
I forgot to mention Pittsburgh--they are playing excellent defense as well. But you're right--more often than not, we're seeing a lot of lousy offense, not great defense.
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