Super Bowl: The finale
Feb 4th, 2008 by Bill Burt
Painful, wasn’t it?
Here are 10 reasons why the Patriots lost, in my opinion:
1. The Giants pass rush.
Of all the things that happened, this played the biggest role in dictating the game. Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck were all over Tom Brady. It really wasn’t fair at times. The Patriots offensive line, a strength the season, played its worst game.
2. No big plays when it counted.
The Patriots played their best in the second half, other than that last drive for the Giants. The worst part was the Patriots had three opportunities for game-clinching interceptions — Asante Samuel, Brandon Meriweather and Rodney Harrison.
3. No luck.
The Giants had two fumbles, both in their own end, but luckily fell on both of them. One, appeared to be stolen by Ahmad Bradshaw in the bottom of the pile.
4. Tom Brady’s injuries.
He just didn’t move well all game. While he was very good in their last drive, which led to a Moss touchdown, he did not have the air of confidence he has had for nearly five full months. He wasn’t himself.
5. Why no field goal?
Unless Patriots Stephen Gostkowski is found to be hurt, the Patriots decision not to kick a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter, instead going for it on 4th-and-13 appeared odd. What was even worse was Brady’s pass was out of bounds.
6. Randy Moss didn’t step up.
He was doubled all game, but he had to deal with it. And he didn’t. It was something he and Brady never quite figured out over the last month. He will be double-covered the rest of his career. Obviously the pressure on Brady hurt the downfield passing game, but Moss didn’t help it either.
7. No special teams plays for Patriots.
It was a dead day on special teams, other than the incredible hit by Ray Vetrone on the kickoff after the Patriots took the lead, 14-10.
8. No firepower early.
The offense need to get ahead by 10 points to put the Giants away, but they never came close. The longer the game went on the more the Giants figured out it was “winnable.”
9. Unsung Hero Award to Giants.
The Patriots usually take this category in big games. But it was the Giants, led by David
Tyree, who made the play of the game hauling in a 32-yard pass from Peyton Eli Manning in the final minute. He had 4 catches in the regular season. And last night he had three catches for 43 yards, including a fourth quarter touchdown.
10. The Giants wanted it more.
As crazy as this sounds, the Giants really played with wredkless abandon. They hit a little harder and made a few more plays. That was a strange sight.
The bottom line is the Patriots offensive line wasn’t able to protect Tom Brady. But remember, the Giants linemen were the best group the Patriots faced this season.
12 reader comments to “Super Bowl: The finale”
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1John Cronin said:
You have given us the ugly truth, Bill, and it hurts.
John -
2Kevin said:
> hauling in a 32-yard pass from Peyton Manning in the final minute
I guess even winning the super bowl won’t get Eli out of his brother’s shadow in your mind!
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3Jim-red sox nation west said:
The pats defense is just too old and it showed. There is no..and i mean ZERO speed on the ends and coming up the middle. Eli had too much time. Ellis Hobbled was beat down like a punk.I do give the Giants defense all the credit…our defense none!!! They need to use the 7th pick on YOUNG defensive talent with speed and dont trade it for another veteran “role” player. I am not questioning any of the Patriots signings from the past because they worked… they are just getting old. I am just very bitter this morning. Good work Bill from the SB its all about the Celtics now!
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6Big B said:
I agree with some of your reasons. However, losing the way they did was just so out of character - and I lay it on exactly that. After Brady did what he was suppose to do and put the Pats up with just a little over 2.5 mins remaining the D decided to play the way I’ve never seen them. I’ve watched the replay of Asante going up for the pick - unfortunately I think he was watching me also. How many times are they told to catch the ball before looking up-field? Rodney being out-muscled by David Tyree for the biggest catch of his life. Why the hell was he trying to out-muscle him or anyone else on the field for that fact? I remember Harrison being the one who would just steamroll right through the receiver separating him from the ball. And yes Ellis does suck. But I even know that when you don’t have outside support you better make sure your man doesn’t beat you out there. I need a vacation. And man I am so glad that I never got that call saying a ticket would be waiting for me at will-call.
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7Mike Daly said:
Jim, what young defensive player can come in and learn the Patriots’ incredibly complex defensive schemes? That’s why they sign veteran “role” players.
There are several areas to break down but the bottom line is The Manning Miracle - the play where he got out of a sure sack and launched the bomb with some 43 seconds to go; he’ll never pull a play like that off again.
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8HUH? said:
Burty Boy sez:
4. Tom Brady’s injuries.
He just didn’t move well all game. While he was very good in their last drive, which led to a Moss touchdown,Moss did not score a TD on the Patriots last drive. The Patriots went 4 and out. and lost the game…
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9Jim-red sox nation west said:
Mike,
Those veteran “role players” are only good for the first 8 years. Their legs get tired. We have the need for speed! -
11Mike Daly said:
Jim, where are you going to get “speed” guys who are old enough to understand the Patriots’ defensive schemes?
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12Jim-red sox nation west said:
Mike daly,
Your talking like its freakin rocket science… Since when do you have to be “old” to understand their defense. If it was so different and better than any other NFL team, they would not have lost to a 10-6 team. Their defense struggled for the last 6 weeks of the season. Its pretty elementary…get guys with speed and get to the quarterback. That is where we are lacking. Rosie Colvin not being there hurt.
