(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
There once was a time when the Patriots could be counted on to win every big game, when Bill Belichick could be counted on to make better 2nd half adjustments than the other guy. Those days are over.
The Patriots went 2-6 on the road last season, and lost several close games due to a mysterious inability to play two consecutive halves of good football.
The Jets outscored the Patriots 18-0 in the 2nd half of Sunday’s game. Darrelle Revis left the game due to a hamstring injury, leaving Antonio Cromartie to cover Randy Moss. Tom Brady’s eyes lit-up when he saw this match-up, and unfortunately let his emotions get the best of him.
Moss was targeted 10 times on Sunday, and only caught 2 passes. He made the spectacular one-handed touchdown catch at the end of the 2nd quarter, but after that his production stalled and so did the Pats’ offense.
Wes Welker caught a touchdown in the 1st half. He was completely abandoned in the 2nd half. Aaron Hernandez made cornerbacks, who are too small to cover him, and linebackers, who are too slow to cover him, look silly in the 1st half. He was ignored in the 2nd half.
Brady instead opted to force the ball to Moss, insistent on exposing Cromartie. One throw resulted in a Cromartie interception; another resulted in a Brodney Pool interception. Sunday is an example where Moss’ on-field presence can hurt a football team. Even when he’s not open, you feel compelled to throw him the ball. The Patriots’ offense became one-dimensional, and thus was shut out.
The defense is young and inconsistent. They had a very good 1st half, and had a poor 2nd half. Brian Schottenheimer made the appropriate tweaks, feeding a rejuvenated LaDanian Tomlinson the ball more and creating plays for tight-end Dustin Keller. Mark Sanchez recognized the Patriots’ pressure better and moved comfortable in the pocket. He threw 2 touchdown passes in the 2nd half.
By the way, Brian Schottenheimer is the Jets’ offensive coordinator. Mike Pettine in the Jets’ defensive coordinator. The Patriots don’t have any coordinators…for the 2nd consecutive season. Could that be why they’ve continually failed to make halftime adjustments? Is it possible that even Bill Belichick needs some help from another football lifer?
Darius Butler committed two horrendous pass-interference penalties in the 4th quarter. These penalties led directly to Keller’s touchdown, which made it a two-score game.
But Butler is a 2nd year cornerback. Devin McCourty is a rookie. Gerard Warren and Rob Ninkovich are the two main components of the pass-rush. Get the picture?
This Patriots defense isn’t that good. They may play well for a half; they may play well for a game. But in order for this team to win consistently, the offense has to play more than just 2 quarters. The coaching staff has to make better 2nd half adjustments.
The big fat buffoon Rex Ryan outcoached Bill Belichick Sunday. Mark Sanchez, the supposed worst quarterback in the league according to most Patriots fans, outplayed Tom Brady.
These two teams are very close. Whoever adjusts better and executes better will win. The Patriots used to execute better than anybody. Now? That’s hardly the case.
-By Alex Reimer-
