I'm seeing all the typical threads as we do most years taking whatever happens in the playoffs (super limited sample) and making broad sweeping judgments about what it takes to win. Not surprising the hoards have taken up the debate about running the value of ball verses pass.
The problem here is that you build a team that can play to it's identity, but is one dimensional-- you're set up for failure when you encounter an opponent or circumstances that don't favor the one way you know how to win. You eventually find yourself trying to put square pegs into round holes.
The Patriots will run the ball 40 times in one game and 15 in another. They'll win in a track meet shootout one week the shut it down to a field position/special teams/defense contest the next. Their identity is, have the flexibility to adapt week by week/quarter by quarter to whatever is going to challenge your opponents weaknesses or play off your strengths. That's the mentality our new coach brings, and he's got it right. So you can forget the notion of, we win with defense, or we run the ball to win, or we air it out, or whatever one dimensional paradigm of success some of you have in your head because that's not what this team is going to be about. Thankfully. The answer is, whatever is called for ---that's who we are/what we'll be.
And Judge himself needs to have flexibility, football IQ, and discipline to follow through.
What is odd is the minimal impact the winning QBs have had in their team’s success. Usually playoff winning QBs play more of a role in the W than what we’ve seen this year. That’s an outlier. But everything else is pretty consistent year to year.
You have to get the lead to be able to play ball control football, the best and most efficient way of doing that is by passing the football.
I expect a lot of anger on here about draft picks not working out, passing on top free agents and head-scratching signings — at least until the Giants are consistent winners. Winning will soothe everyone. Well, almost.
They’re averaging 6.0 YPC, piling up 200 yards with an 100% TD rate in the red zone. That’s extremely hard to replicate and isn’t a good formula if you fall behind. Let’s see what happens against KC before we jump to “the clocks have turned back” conclusions.
If Jones turns out to be the real deal and we can get an offensive line we’ll be more than fine. We’ll be able to pass to get the lead or come from behind. And run to control the clock in the 4th quarter.