indianapolis colts

Never before has a Patriots dominant victory felt more like a loss than Sunday’s debacle against the Dan Orlovsky-led Colts. Usually it’s more due to injuries than actual performance that you might still be feeling gross after a Pats win, but this time it was all about what happened (or didn’t happen) on the field. 

The offense was unstoppable for just long enough, and not a moment longer. The defense made just enough key stops and take-aways. Then it was as if the precise moment the game was in hand the Patriots left the building. 

Some of it can be chalked up the potpourri of players on defense, but not much of it. I was glad to hear that the mood in the locker room felt like they lost. Perhaps it’s just what they needed. But the scary thing is that if they made such an inept offense look like the Packers, what’s going to happen when it’s the actual Packers? Scary.

Here’s the weekly Monday collection of thoughts, observations and stuff:

– Pats finish the third quarter of their season 4-0, first time this season.

• 3-1 (Bills loss)
• 2-2 (Steelers, Giants losses)
• 4-0

– While I still think the Pats will lose one more game they’re still looking strong to get a bye even though the other three 9-3 teams all held serve as well.

– The next two games are kind of strange playing Mike Shanahan next weekend then going to Denver where he handed the Belichick/Brady dynasty their first playoff loss the next.

– These next two road games should be a positive experience for these 2011 Pats, even with me pencilling them in to lose one of them. This team cannot get enough road experience. And even if they get the number one seed they’d still have to win a game in Indy in the end.

– There were a few bombshell starts on defense. Niko Koutivides over Gary Guyton and Tracy White was a bit of a shock. But Matthew Slater and Nate Jones at safety? Neither had ever played a snap there this season, and Jones was just recently signed.

– Antuan Molden and Sterling Moore were either dinged up or suddenly plummeted down the depth chart. 

– James Ihedigbo looked to be in a 3-4 outside linebacker role early on, which isn’t too much of a departure from how he’s been used in the box in recent weeks, but it was still a fairly vanilla 3-4 look that the Pats presented to Orlovsky. Ihedigbo seems to really be growing into a significant player for this defense. Belichick has always toyed moving big safeties down to linebacker, “Dig” is the latest.

– Regardless of Peyton Manning, Belichick always cooks up a couple twists on defense for the Colts. Most commonly unexpected starters (see Eric Alexander 2006 AFCCG, Kyle Arrington as pass rusher in 2010, Slater/Niko/Jones 2011).

– The Pats running game continues to be missing in action. They’re getting no traction with Law Firm, Woody or Ridley. This is a troubling trend that is popping up at the wrong time of year.

– If they should’ve been able to get their big uglies going against anyone it should’ve been the small/fast Colts. But nope, 3.0 average for the day. They’ll have to figure something out here, because as we saw in last year’s playoffs you need a running game as insurance for the rare off Brady day.

– Nice to see Jerod Mayo finally make a big play with the interception. Hopefully this will open the floodgates.

– I’m just hoping that they’re playing it safe with Chung. Starting to think his small frame and all out playing style might not be the best combination. Seems like he’s been constantly dinged up the last two years whether he’s playing or not.

– Not killing McCourty based on that performance. He was starting to look a lot better before the injury. For his first game back that soon after separating his shoulder he gets a pass from me. I’d rather have him “knock the dust off” in a blowout win that wait till he’s 100% in a tight game we really need him for. Just be thankful he’s back and has time to get back up to speed.

– Speaking of back up to speed, with four games left the time is right for Spikes, Chung and Fletcher to all get back out there. A quarter of the season should be just enough time for them to get back into game shape and focus.

– If the Pats get the one seed in the AFC I like our chances. Going to Pittsburgh or Baltimore could be dicey for this team. Not sure any of the other teams can beat New England no matter where they played.

– Yet again it will all come down to Tom Brady. If he goes on a three game tear it will take a lot to beat the Pats, regardless of their defense. If Brady is so-so it could go either way unless their D is totally on.

– But let’s be honest, when was the last time Brady had a lights out playoff run? You might have to go all the way back to 2005 and 2007’s wins over the Jags as the only post-Super Bowl playoff works of art by Brady.

– Outside those two he’s got a record of 2-5, hardly the dominant Brady we’ve become so accustomed to seeing during the regular season. He’s had moments of clutch, like the throw to Caldwell in San Diego that set up a winning Field Goal in 06 AFCDG, but he’s lacked the consistency that marked his early career playoff victories. 

– Does Brady have another epic three game run like he put together in 2004 in him? He can’t let another golden opportunity like they had in 2010 pass by him at this stage of his career.

– Washington should provide some good challenges, and I’m expect the Patriots to come out playing hard. Now is the time to start playing 60 minutes. Not just the second and third quarters.