[fullmetal]

I don't think the missed FG mattered--Utah was sticking to its game plan no matter what, and to good effect.  But I lump the FG in with the offensive problems.  We don't have to kick a FG if we are moving the chains.  (And I realized "we" are not the team, but I'm getting lazy.)

Here's why the offense is a brobdingnagian problem: 3 three-and-outs, 2 drive-killing fumbles, a turnover on downs, a long drive that ended in a punt after consecutive 5 yd penalties, and a missed FG.  On the plus side, one touchdown scored early, and one touchdown scored late.  Ten drives, two touchdowns, and nothing else produced.  Is that not a clear problem when only two drives score points?  Yes, fumbles are part of this offensive problem.  So are penalties and three-and-outs.  What elite teams only need to score on 20% of their drives?

The defense gave up 27 pts, which is certainly an issue--they looked very unready for Utah's speed and didn't look like they were getting off their blocks quickly enough (holding?  ahem) to make tackles.  The party in the backfield was neutralized by lots of man in motion swing passes used to great effect.  You could say our defensive strength was schemed out of the picture.  But in the second half, the defense comes up with an INT, holds Utah to two FGs, and forces 2 three-and-outs.  Defense stepped up after getting beaten in the first half.  Offense never really got it going.

Drive chart: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/footbal...drivechart

[fullmetal]

I don't think the missed FG mattered--Utah was sticking to its game plan no matter what, and to good effect.  But I lump the FG in with the offensive problems.  We don't have to kick a FG if we are moving the chains.  (And I realized "we" are not the team, but I'm getting lazy.)

Here's why the offense is a brobdingnagian problem: 3 three-and-outs, 2 drive-killing fumbles, a turnover on downs, a long drive that ended in a punt after consecutive 5 yd penalties, and a missed FG.  On the plus side, one touchdown scored early, and one touchdown scored late.  Ten drives, two touchdowns, and nothing else produced.  Is that not a clear problem when only two drives score points?  Yes, fumbles are part of this offensive problem.  So are penalties and three-and-outs.  What elite teams only need to score on 20% of their drives?

The defense gave up 27 pts, which is certainly an issue--they looked very unready for Utah's speed and didn't look like they were getting off their blocks quickly enough (holding?  ahem) to make tackles.  The party in the backfield was neutralized by lots of man in motion swing passes used to great effect.  You could say our defensive strength was schemed out of the picture.  But in the second half, the defense comes up with an INT, holds Utah to two FGs, and forces 2 three-and-outs.  Defense stepped up after getting beaten in the first half.  Offense never really got it going.

Drive chart: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/footbal...drivechart