Because there were signs of genuine progress.
And yet, the results were the same.
Because in the simplest possible terms, this team still does not yet know how to win.
–That might sound trite.
Something they teach you to say at the Cris Collinsworth Academy of Shallow Analysis.
But it doesn’t make it any less true.
Some teams know how to successfully execute the high-leverage plays that decide every game and some don’t.
That’s who they are now.
They’re just another opponent.
One of the no-name fighters who gets knocked out in the montage of every boxing movie.
The “Visitors” who get three seconds of screen time in a basketball film.
–Which made this one especially tough to swallow.
They outgained the Colts 422 to 253.
Had more than double their passing yards, 220 to 109.
Outgained them on the ground, 200 to 144.
They only punted once.
They also possessed the ball for over 10 minutes more.
And have nothing to show for it.
–Let’s begin with the offensive line.
Those rushing numbers speak for themselves.
So all that was good.
–Here’s Stevenson on the first possession.
Except Onwenu never actually made contact with any Colts.
Another hold on Robinson makes it a 1st & goalfrom the 22.
Three plays later they’re settling for a field goal.
My supportive Irish Rose very reasonably asked why they kept committing these holds.
When you shop at the Ocean State O-Line Lot, you get what you paid for.
So presumably he didn’t get the memo and didn’t end up blocking anyone.
Which brings us to the coaching.
–Alex Van Pelt did some nice things.
He’s gotten more creative as the season’s gone on.
And was the main reason they won the game.
They were 3-for-4 in the red zone.
The Patriots were 2-for-6.
There’s yer problem, lady.
Instead, he tries to spin up the usual man-beaters: Stacks, rubs, mesh concepts.
Only to find he’s not getting anyone open in confined quarters.
Onwenu doesn’t know the play’s been audibled.
I assume they’re using the same methods of communication they always have.
And that 31 other coaching staffs do.
But maybe they’re going with something a little more traditional.
Whatever it is, “working” is definitely not a term we can use.
Thirteen games and 10 losses is proof of that.
–And once again we were subjected to pure coaching mismanagement at the end of the half.
And George Bailey almost went to prison for Billy’s malfeasance.
–Alright, enough of that.
Who could use some good news?
Let’s focus on a few positives here.
Even more encouraging was how perfect the timing was.
Well here’s one.
Receiver is where he’s expected to be.
Just like a real NFL offense.
Again, what’s with the spacing in AVP’s passing game?
Is there a reason he’s setting up camp a half step behind Hooper on the goal line?
–This feels good.
To do that, it always helps to look to Christian Gonzalez, who had another monster week.
Toggling between covering Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, Anthony Richardson gave him a good leaving alone.
Unofficially, he was targeted four times, with two completions and 14 total yards.
I don’t know if that kind of awareness can be coached up.
I just know that with Gonzalez, it doesn’t need to.
He came into the league with a veteran’s knowledge of the game.
And has a legitimate chance to be as good as any cornerback we’ve ever seen here.
Given the history of this franchise, that’s not something I say lightly.
Obviously it was far from perfect.
Games that end with a 19-play, 80 yard go-ahead touchdown drive seldom are.
Plus Peppers is back to making calls and pre-snap adjustments, despite being away for two full months.
Let’s just hope his next hearing at Quincy District Court ends better than yesterday’s trial did.
–As far as I’m concerned, Alex Austin can be my boundary corner opposite Gonzalez any time.
That game winning conversion should’ve been a penalty:
Now it’s just our reality.
It’s what happens to teams that don’t know how to win.
I long for the days we used to benefit from that kind of non-call all the time.
And hope I live long enough to see them return.
Make the Patriots Great Again.
Enjoy not losing during the bye week.
