0
0
The Patriots’ 20-13 ouster from the NFL playoffs, at the hands of the Tennessee Titans, was a sad, but fitting, ending to the team’s 2019-2020 season. Let’s face it, this edition of the New England Patriots was just not of championship caliber.
The defense, which built up its stats and reputation early in the season playing a series of NFL bottom feeders, was good but not great, certainly not good enough to overcome the team’s offensive challenges. Offensively, whether because of age or injury, lack of talent or lack of experience, Brady and Company circa 2019 never really put a scare into the hearts of opponents like the guys with the same logo on their shirts did in past years.
That neither team got close enough to the other’s goal line in the second half to even attempt a field goal said something about stout defense or more likely, lukewarm offense. But the Patriots’ fate was sealed not in the second half, but in the last few minutes of the second quarter.
When you’re first and goal at the other team’s one, championship teams never—and let’s say it as strongly as possible, NEVER—end up settling for a field goal. But that’s what the Patriots did. And then when the Pats allowed their opponent to drive the length of the field for a decisive touchdown in the waning seconds of the half, it was almost as sure a sign that the home town team was done for as when old pal Logan Ryan waltzed into the end zone in the waning seconds of the game.
Give the Titans credit. They, like too many other teams coached by the fruit of the Patriots coaching tree (we’re counting Mike Vrabel even though he never coached here, but certainly Dean Pees fits the category) were smart, well disciplined, and well-prepared. Their offensive line is powerful and, my God, Derrick Henry is a beast. Ryan Tannehill, freed from mediocrity in Miami, has found a second wind and made plays when needed.
Footnote of the week ( of the season? of the decade?) is Anthony Firkser, tight end for the Tennessee Titans. Firkser, the only player to catch a touchdown pass in this game, is a product of that football factory, Harvard. Class of ‘17, with a degree in applied mathematics, this proud Crimson alum not only beat coverage for a TD in the first quarter, his ninth reception of the year, but made a key first down catch in the fourth quarter to keep the Titans drive alive when the Patriots were desperately trying to force a punt. As Bob Lobel used to say, “Why can’t we get guys like that?”
We walk away moaning, “One field goal, one crappy field goal, was all it would have taken in the second half for the Pats to win this one.” But it wasn’t to be, not for these guys.
The game as well as the whole season is now in the past. The Patriots future, like the weather last night, is best described and raw and foggy.
