It's been a long time since the AFC Championship game. I know I've been chomping at the bit to get this season started. Opening Day is finally here, and we had to go up to the Big Apple to face the G-Men. Fortunately we got the job done. Here are my thoughts on the game.
1. It wasn't a pretty game by Bortles by any stretch, but I will say it wasn't as bad as some might have you think. He had that one INT. It wasn't a bad throw in that he identified single coverage, but I'm thinking he should have thrown the ball a little farther. I'm also thinking Moncrief could have done more to prevent the INT. Bortles suffered from three drops that hurt. His 41 yard run in the 3rd quarter to get us some favorable field position was huge. Did Bortles look like Marino in his prime? No, but he did enough to win the game. Given how many times over the years the team has done enough to lose the game, I will certainly not complain.
2. The underrated MVP of this game was Fournette. When he was in the game, we ran the ball very well averaging over 5 YPC, IIRC. When he left, outside of the Yeldon TD run and Bortles' long run, the running game bogged down. The commentator indicated the personnel grouping once Fournette left the game. Perhaps we can show more 2 TE or 2 back sets with Yeldon in the game. I sure hope Fournette is okay. Hamstring injuries can linger on and we will need him for these next few games.
3. Myles Jack baby!!!!
4. Calais Campbell disappeared late last year, but he showed up in a big way today. He abused Flowers early on, forcing two penalties in the first drive alone. He also later registered a sack and some pressures, and was key in slowing down their running game. The rest of the defensive line played well overall too. Ngakoue also had some success against Solder. Dareus and Jackson had a lot of success shutting down the run and both got pressures against Manning. Abry Jones had the deflection that led directly to the Myles Jack pick 6. Larentee McCray had a good pressure on Manning as well. More encouraging is that we get Dante Fowler back next week. But as good as the unit played overall, they will need a better game against Brady if we are to beat the Pats next week.
5. His detractors will say that Ramsey was abused by OBJ by looking at the stats. His detractors would be wrong. The one big play OBJ had with Ramsey assigned to him, there was a blatant pick that wasn't called (and the announcers conveniently called a "rub"). There was one PI against Ramsey for a decent sized gain, but most of OBJs damage was done on underneath crossing type routes against zone.
6. I was not a huge fan of the OL play today. Lots of penalties, especially by Cam Robinson (4 by my count). With Fournette in the game, they opened some holes on the ground, but they allowed some hits and sacks on Bortles.
7. Rookie Watch:
- Taven Bryan-I saw him in on a few plays, lined mostly at LDE, though I saw one play at RDE. He did not stand out to me.
- DJ Chark-IIRC he had a tackle on a punt, but otherwise had no impact
- Ronnie Harrison-in on quite a few plays, but I did not see him make much impact.
- Will Richardson-DNP
- Leon Jacobs-started at Mike, and I think he was in on a tackle, but did not stand out.
- Logan Cooke-didn't seem to have a crushing kick, but knocked some kicks inside the 20. He did have the knuckle ball punt at the end that led to the muff that clinched the game for us.
8. I wondered how the receivers would perform now that most are experienced, having spent at least a year in the offense. It seems Cole is still our best WR. He had the one deep passing play to him early. he got open on another play on a post, but Bortles threw elsewhere incomplete. Westbrook had some decent short catches that extended some drives. While Moncrief had one catch, the abiding sense i got watching him was one of disappointment. He seemed useless on jump balls/contested passes. ASJ had a TD negated by a penalty, but he had a couple of catches and looked like he could become a contributor in the passing game.
9. Barry Church is the subject of much talk about being cut after this season. But I'm sure glad he is here now. He had a very good game today and was key in keeping Barkley (who is going to be a great back if the Giants can provide some competent blocking on the right side of their line) contained for the most part.
10. Bottom line-Some may lament the lack of style points, and others will understandably point out the second half offensive struggles. But dang it we won this game! I figured it would be a hard fought game and it was. That said, there are concerns we will have to address if we are to beat New England next week, but for now I am going to savor this win (especially since I won a dinner because of the result).
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
