There were predictable elements, and some which defied predictions. The Pats did romp over Tennessee, but otherwise look out!
One dictum that prognosticators apply when picking games “is go with the better QB”. So Foles beats Ryan, Keenum beats Brees and Bortles beats Big Ben. In each case (except Ryan) the losers put up gaudier stats and arguably had better games. Key turnovers killed the Steelers, but Philly survived them so toss that out too.
Someone has to explain to me how good defenses can throttle teams for 55 minutes, then at the end of games when the run is off the table, so you know the opposition is throwing the ball, the offense marches down the field. Any wonder why teams once tried the hurry up offense for entire games? Doesn’t work, or haven’t they yet figured a way to make it work?
We talked with Eric Edholm Saturday how Nick Foles had two weeks to work with Reich on a system tailored for his particular set of skills. It kinda worked, didn’t it,? Although I thought on the opening play when they wanted to show the Falcs that Foles could throw deep, his wounded duck backfired. Ot
herwise, a perfect game plan, aided by a stout defense and tough running.
The two shocking plays. Obviously Marcus Williams missing the tackle for the Saints stands out. Was he trying not to get a pass interference call? Was it bad tackling, just diving low and not wrapping up? Or did he just mistime his dive when the receiver leaped over him? In any case, it goes down in Bill Buckner land.
Then the play call — a rollout on 4th and goal for Atlanta. I’ve wondered when faced with short yardage, coaches often call either deep balls that are prone to fail more or tricky plays where there are so many factors that can go wrong. It worked for Pittsburgh on two big TDs. I know the idea is to do what they least expect, but usually you are better off going with what you do best. On a rollout, you take away half the field and ask your best player (Julio Jones, who the other team targets), to make a supernatural play. Good luck with that.
Notice the dearth of pass interference calls? There were some for sure, but many others that are called during the season were allowed here.
Finally a term we heard a lot this weekend. RPO or run-pass option. Use it and people think you know football. Why not PRO, pass-run option? A better acronym, although it is in use, sorta.
