>by switching to a three-man front/zone?
>
>'cause it sure felt like it. oh that and brady being one of
>the GOAT and finding a rhythm.
>
>i had that disgusted feeling too witnessing what coulda been a
>monumental implosion.
>
>brady can say "we gave it to them" or whatever, but answering
>the way we did after NE made it 31-31 was championship
>football.
>

1) We almost gave it to them FIRST. As crazy as 31-3 looked, it should have been at least 10-14 points MORE. Carlos with that bullshit, then the subsequent play calls resulting in a fumble. You CANNOT blow a turnover in such great position on the road against this team and come away with nothing. Nevermind those damn mishandled snaps.

2) Smitty missed a good part of the Pats comeback. He's in there, Brady doesn't get off or have time to establish that rhythm. It's no coincidence his shit wasn't rolling early on when the Smith brothers were bearing down on him

3) The defense did soften up, but the other two issues played a larger role in it being so dangerously close.