Bingo. Conservative play calling in the 3rd & 4th did the Jags in. Pathetic to say the least. I don't think Bortles was the problem, but I do understand a change at QB for them. Do the Jags have $ to play with? Possibly throw at Kirk?
You be as aggressive as possible. Don't mean to beat a dead-horse, but the end of the first was just horrible. It showed no confidence in your team and displayed no urgency. You just knew that the Jags were going to lose in a way that those possible points (even if they score 3) would be huge. It turns out that those three points would have been nice to have at the end of the game. Say what you want about the Pats you are not going to be able to just give Brady the ball time and again and expect not to score. The fact that Jags made some good stops to force punts near midfield went all for naught. Sooner or later your D is going to get tired and fail - especially someone as skilled and seasoned as Brady. The fact is that probably more likely to get penalized on defense (holding, PI) than you are on offense so might as well try something more "creative" on offense. Play action, designed QB runs, Fournette out of the backfield, etc. Just have plays (trick plays, whatever you want to call them) specifically in the second half that the Patriots haven't seen before. Also, I could be wrong, but I don't remember one screen plays in the second half. Not that it's an aggressive play, but it's one that can certainly break-free without too much risk.
Actually they have about $45 million if they cut Bortles, which they of course would. They can easily afford Cousins if they want him.
It will be interesting to see if Cousins is interested more in his top-line income or going to the team that provides him with the best opportunity to go the SB. Of course, his thought process will have an effect on the Jets. I only hope that Cousins (assuming the Jets are interested and he talks to the Jets) is at least honest with teams he's speaking with in this regard so it doesn't: 1) just get into a bidding war that wastes the Jets time and energy or 2) end up in an amazingly bloated contract that the Jets will be stuck with Say what you want, but Brady's consistently excellent play while being underpaid (compared to the rest of the league) really helps the Pats out.
Before that TD, Bowles was probably lamenting that the Eagles would even try to score in this spot when they could have simply tried to run out the clock and end the half.
Gee, look at that, the team dominating play with a lead at the end of the first half still is aggressive, trying to get more points, rather than taking a knee. Who'd a thunk it?
I could not understand how the Vikings were favored in this one. Done team outdoors, EAgles are real good in all positions. After the NE game Even though I thought Philly would win I decided I would root for Vikings as I think at home they have a better shot at the Pats.
