Three plays that lost the game

I’m still pretty pissed about this game but this horrible result could have easily been avoided. There were three big plays in the game that helped keep the Patriots out of the game and helped the Panthers win it. The blown pass interference call is obviously number one, so I’m gonna pick three plays that are not so blatantly obvious.
Photo via NFL.com

Number One: Ridley loses the loaf of bread
Ridley has had a fumbling problem since he came into the league, and last night it showed itself again at a very poor moment. In the beginning of the second quarter, the Patriots were driving and looking to tie the game up at 7, when Ridley lost the ball. The Pats were at Carolina’s 13 yard line and their offense, like it did all day, was looking very strong and ready to go. But sadly, as Ridley was making people miss, rookie DT Kawann Short stripped Ridley and the Panthers recovered the ball, then drove all the way down the field to kick a field goal.

A good thing from this is that Ridley did play later in the game. I’m glad Bill can swallow his pride and put our best back in when we need him, even if he’s dropped the ball earlier. But Ridley, if you lose it again, I’d expect you to see that bench for a while.

Number Two: Josh McDaniels is his own worst enemy
I’ve said this before, Josh sometimes can get too cute and over think the easiest of calls. Its the beginning of the fourth quarter. Its a tie game. The offense is moving extremely well thanks in large part to the bowling ball Blount just running through this stout run D. The Pats are at Carolina’s 17 yard line, and Blount gets a three yard game on first down. So Josh gives him the ball again on second down. Blount gets six yards now and its just an easily third and one. And Josh calls play action. What? Are you kidding me!? It is one yard. Blount has been manhandling this Panthers front seven and you don’t think he can get one yard!?

What happened was Brady threw incomplete, we kick the field goal, leave points on the board, and ultimately lose the game. Thank you Josh for crapping it up again.

Number Three: Scram Newton II: Scram Strikes Again
It is 3rd and six at Carolina’s own 21 yard line. This is the game. If the Pats D can get a stop then BOOM! Victory. Cam takes the ball in the shotgun, bounces around the pocket and then runs for 15 yards and a first down. Why? Because Ninkovich gets behind Cam. This creates a huge hole in the line for Scram to bust through and its smooth sailing for the first down.

This was a big deal for two reasons. First, it gave up a first down, yes. But normally Nink makes that play. Nink is one of the best players at playing honest and not overcommitting. He stays in his spot and a lot of times will make that tackle, or prevent any play from occurring. Instead he rushes hard, gets past Cam and its off to the races.

Honorable Mention: Talib re-tweaking his hip. That left Arrington to take his outside duties and by now I hope we know my feelings towards Arrington on the outside. And what do you know, he let the whole team down.

One final word on this game before I watch How I Met Your Mother and pretend this game never happened. Even though we lost, our offense was looking very good. Brady has all his toys around him (Welcome back Vereen) and we again got to see what this offense can be. Hell, Brady didn’t throw an incomplete pass in the 3rd quarter, thats pretty amazing. Sadly it seems we can’t have a good offense with a good defense.

Hopefully that comes starting in the postseason.

- Pete Rogers
@ftcsports
@petahrahgas