The minute in Miami that changed the season for the Patriots
The Patriots season officially came to an end yesterday in Denver. But the demise of this team may have truly began in the final minutes of their week 15 loss to the Dolphins, and more specifically with the play pictured below.
Devastating injuries to key players on both sides of the ball and a weak performance in the AFC Championship Game is ultimately what did the Patriots in. But had Danny Amendola been able to secure a pass to the end-zone in the final minute of the December 15th game in Miami, yesterday's game would have been at Gillette. In freezing temperatures and snow flurries.Things certainly worked out for the Patriots better when they beat the Bronocos in similar conditions back in November.
The Mile High advantage was undeniably a factor in yesterday's beating. Manning thrives in the warm weather, and yesterday is further evidence of that fact. Manning torched the Patriot's up and down the field, while the defensive players were gasping for air, unable to get off the field for the majority of the game.
While the noise conditions weren't as noticeable as the now infamous "12th Man," in Seattle; the Denver crowd was loud. The Patriots were not a good team on the road this year. All four of their losses occured on enemy turf. They won all 9 games they played at Gillette. Tom Brady, who has a career win-loss record of 148 wins and 48 losses, had lost at home just 13 times, the most recent being the loss to Baltimore in last year's AFC Championship game.
Am I suggesting that had yesterday's game been played in Foxborough the Patriots definitely would have won? Of course not. In fact, given the thorough, methodical defeat they suffered this weekend, I think there is a good chance they would have lost regardless of where the game was. But there is no denying that like most teams, they are simply better at Gillette. Significantly better.
Had the Pats traveled to Denver yesterday and taken care of business, the failed comeback drive in Week 15 would not have meant a thing. But they did not take care of business, and now that minute in Miami may have been what did the team in.
@LiamPCunningham
@PatriotsLife
 |
| (AP Photo/J Pat Carter Carter STF AP) |
Devastating injuries to key players on both sides of the ball and a weak performance in the AFC Championship Game is ultimately what did the Patriots in. But had Danny Amendola been able to secure a pass to the end-zone in the final minute of the December 15th game in Miami, yesterday's game would have been at Gillette. In freezing temperatures and snow flurries.Things certainly worked out for the Patriots better when they beat the Bronocos in similar conditions back in November.
The Mile High advantage was undeniably a factor in yesterday's beating. Manning thrives in the warm weather, and yesterday is further evidence of that fact. Manning torched the Patriot's up and down the field, while the defensive players were gasping for air, unable to get off the field for the majority of the game.
While the noise conditions weren't as noticeable as the now infamous "12th Man," in Seattle; the Denver crowd was loud. The Patriots were not a good team on the road this year. All four of their losses occured on enemy turf. They won all 9 games they played at Gillette. Tom Brady, who has a career win-loss record of 148 wins and 48 losses, had lost at home just 13 times, the most recent being the loss to Baltimore in last year's AFC Championship game.
Am I suggesting that had yesterday's game been played in Foxborough the Patriots definitely would have won? Of course not. In fact, given the thorough, methodical defeat they suffered this weekend, I think there is a good chance they would have lost regardless of where the game was. But there is no denying that like most teams, they are simply better at Gillette. Significantly better.
Had the Pats traveled to Denver yesterday and taken care of business, the failed comeback drive in Week 15 would not have meant a thing. But they did not take care of business, and now that minute in Miami may have been what did the team in.
@LiamPCunningham
@PatriotsLife
