Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxmil982
Julio used to live in my building in 2017. He told me the SB was intentionally thrown and it fractured the whole team.
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Having watched the game, no it wasn't. It was a foregone conclusion because of the stupid decision to slow the game down with a lead. Atlanta never had a defense or a reliable run game, they just had aggressive ass Shanahan covering it up with deep passing. And the offense was in rhythm.
The moment they shifted to "prevent" I knew the game was over, I actually told everyone in the room. The defense had already been on the field the whole game because ToP was short despite the score, thanks to how quickly they scored. That defense was never going to be able to hold the line and certainly not being tired. By the time they started to spin the offense back up it was too late, they were never going to get rolling in time.
Anyone who watched that team all season knew they were going to get scored on in the second half, it had been happening to them all season. Often giving up double digits in the 4th. It just never mattered because they had already scored 30+ points and it was too late. They literally only won ONE game where they didnt score over 30 points.
This time they pulled back the offense too early and against the wrong team. They had been blowing leads all season, they just always had a bigger lead.
Then Shanahan left and the offense didnt have the chemistry to reliably score over 30 points a game anymore.
They should have kept it in the air to keep eating up yards, they had a balanced passing attack the whole game. As far as Jones and the red zone, he was never a true red zone receiver. His insane advantage is his combination of height and speed, he needs to bump and run and not be engaged in a scuffle with a corner. When you're packed in a shorter corner has an advantage because they can hold (I was taught to, everyone does it, just dont get caught) and break your step, not letting you elevate, and there is nowhere to run away to. His skill isnt fighting off a defender, that is why TEs are the TD kings, big physical guys who dont need to be able to leap but instead swat away a linebacker or safety.
Im not calling him soft, dude could take (and deliver) a hit, its just the reality. Its like wrestling, being fast and tall isnt an advantage when someone is swiping at your legs. He is an amazing player, he just needs to be utilized properly. Cutting him loose to work in an open field.