02-06-2017, 03:13 PM
The Falcons had an MVP quarterback, the best receiver in the game (who, let's not forget, just made what would have forever been compared to the Tyree catch had they won), and a historically great passing attack. While the run had mostly been working, NE had one of the best run defenses in the league and had just stuffed one. Atlanta's center was hurt and they were having trouble running inside.
So, no, trying to throw there is not ridiculous. What was ridiculous were the kinds of throws they were trying. I've read that Ryan held onto the ball for nearly 4 seconds on that 2nd down, and the pressure came right up the middle. That sack is on him. The subsequent two playcalls were also quite bad in that they were low-percentage, throw a screen on 3rd and forever when you're nearly in FG range, FFS.
But, at the same time, THEY HAVE JULIO JONES. I am a Patriots fan. I was not thinking "oh good they're passing here" because, ahem, THEY HAVE JULIO JONES. When you have the best receiver in the game, trying to get something done isn't absurd, but holding onto the ball for 3+ seconds in that situation definitely is.
What's even worse was, as others pointed out, how much time they were leaving. Which is probably also on Ryan (and maybe whoever can speak into his helmet for not noticing that he was leaving way too much time on the clock). But Quinn's challenge on Edelman's subsequent catch was also horrible. The Pats weren't going to get that play off, I don't think, just let it hit 2 minutes and then challenge after your people can look at it and you KNOW you'll win, or don't and keep the TO. But he essentially just called a TO right before the 2 minute warning while the other team was driving trying to tie it! Now that was a mistake.
Also, a sneaky big mistake in the game might've been Belichick not calling for a fair catch kick at the very end. It didn't end up mattering, but I bet Ghostkowski can hit a 75-yarder, that's a normal kickoff spot and I've seen him come darn close to putting it through the uprights when he's not trying to. Even if he misses you know it'll be into the end zone, and you can put your coverage team out there anyway so the risk of a runback is tiny. I think the odds of winning vs losing on that are higher than the fake kneel they ran. (Then again I mostly REALLY wanted to see a fair catch kick in the super bowl, because, come on, they never happen. I think if that punt had been 5 yards shorter we would've seen one.)
So, no, trying to throw there is not ridiculous. What was ridiculous were the kinds of throws they were trying. I've read that Ryan held onto the ball for nearly 4 seconds on that 2nd down, and the pressure came right up the middle. That sack is on him. The subsequent two playcalls were also quite bad in that they were low-percentage, throw a screen on 3rd and forever when you're nearly in FG range, FFS.
But, at the same time, THEY HAVE JULIO JONES. I am a Patriots fan. I was not thinking "oh good they're passing here" because, ahem, THEY HAVE JULIO JONES. When you have the best receiver in the game, trying to get something done isn't absurd, but holding onto the ball for 3+ seconds in that situation definitely is.
What's even worse was, as others pointed out, how much time they were leaving. Which is probably also on Ryan (and maybe whoever can speak into his helmet for not noticing that he was leaving way too much time on the clock). But Quinn's challenge on Edelman's subsequent catch was also horrible. The Pats weren't going to get that play off, I don't think, just let it hit 2 minutes and then challenge after your people can look at it and you KNOW you'll win, or don't and keep the TO. But he essentially just called a TO right before the 2 minute warning while the other team was driving trying to tie it! Now that was a mistake.
Also, a sneaky big mistake in the game might've been Belichick not calling for a fair catch kick at the very end. It didn't end up mattering, but I bet Ghostkowski can hit a 75-yarder, that's a normal kickoff spot and I've seen him come darn close to putting it through the uprights when he's not trying to. Even if he misses you know it'll be into the end zone, and you can put your coverage team out there anyway so the risk of a runback is tiny. I think the odds of winning vs losing on that are higher than the fake kneel they ran. (Then again I mostly REALLY wanted to see a fair catch kick in the super bowl, because, come on, they never happen. I think if that punt had been 5 yards shorter we would've seen one.)