09-23-2018, 09:43 PM
Today sucked. There is no denying it. We had multiple opportunities to take control of this game, and every time we let it slip through our fingers. This can't happen consistently if we expect to win.
BUT there are plenty of positives looking ahead:
- When we have all of our guys on offense healthy, this team can move the ball on anyone and essentially score at will. We'll have a few bad plays no doubt, but with AJ and Mixon out there today, I think we probably score more than 3 tds. Give us a few weeks, and I have confidence that we'll be back to 28+ point games pretty regularly.
- The defense had a very bad look today, on all levels. But let's not forget that the weakest unit on our defense, linebackers, had 2 starters missing. Once we get Burfict and Brown back, there is no way any team will put up that many rushing yards on us again. Again, give it a few weeks and our defense will be much improved.
- Dalton threw a few bad picks (really only 2 that were his fault considering Malone dropped one and the last one was a hail mary as time expired), but he also was BALLING out there. Those two throws across his body while running to the left to Boyd were absolute dimes. I can't remember seeing Andy throw passes anywhere near that impressive anytime recently. Nonetheless twice in one game. He looks much improved out of the pocket and expect that to produce positive results throughout the season.
- Boyd is a beast. Totally transformed player. Guy has the ability to be a true difference maker for us. Not to mention the return of Eifert! Looked like 2015 on a few plays.
- Their touchdown to CJ Anderson was a scheme breakdown. That is correctable. We can fix that.
All in all, it's a long season ahead of us, and NFC losses are much better than AFC losses. We'll be fine, while working out a few kinks, and still be in the playoff race throughout the season.
BUT there are plenty of positives looking ahead:
- When we have all of our guys on offense healthy, this team can move the ball on anyone and essentially score at will. We'll have a few bad plays no doubt, but with AJ and Mixon out there today, I think we probably score more than 3 tds. Give us a few weeks, and I have confidence that we'll be back to 28+ point games pretty regularly.
- The defense had a very bad look today, on all levels. But let's not forget that the weakest unit on our defense, linebackers, had 2 starters missing. Once we get Burfict and Brown back, there is no way any team will put up that many rushing yards on us again. Again, give it a few weeks and our defense will be much improved.
- Dalton threw a few bad picks (really only 2 that were his fault considering Malone dropped one and the last one was a hail mary as time expired), but he also was BALLING out there. Those two throws across his body while running to the left to Boyd were absolute dimes. I can't remember seeing Andy throw passes anywhere near that impressive anytime recently. Nonetheless twice in one game. He looks much improved out of the pocket and expect that to produce positive results throughout the season.
- Boyd is a beast. Totally transformed player. Guy has the ability to be a true difference maker for us. Not to mention the return of Eifert! Looked like 2015 on a few plays.
- Their touchdown to CJ Anderson was a scheme breakdown. That is correctable. We can fix that.
All in all, it's a long season ahead of us, and NFC losses are much better than AFC losses. We'll be fine, while working out a few kinks, and still be in the playoff race throughout the season.
