The Game Ball Thread: Week 9 vs. the Broncos

[SeoulSoxFan]

Every time the Patriots seem to be at a disadvantage, they go out and hit one out of the park. 
 
Here are the game balls:

• Browner: set the tone early. Ticky tack penalties aside, Browner has been solid
• Gronk: that one-handed catch was re-Gronk-ulous
• Chung: maybe the most pleasant surprise of the year on defense 
• Edelman: BurgerTyme is back!

Toughest test on the 2014 schedule was aced with flying colors. Manning, Welker, and Talib go back thinking they better be playing at home come playoffs.
 
Season high 8 passes defended by the secondary. 4 fourth down conversions defended. Oh and...
 
#1 seed baby!

 

[Darnell's Son]

Every time the Patriots seem to be at a disadvantage, they go out and hit one out of the park. 
 
Here are the game balls:

• Browner: set the tone early. Ticky tack penalties aside, Browner has been solid
• Gronk: that one-handed catch was re-Gronk-ulous
• Chung: maybe the most pleasant surprise of the year on defense 
• Edelman: BurgerTyme is back!
• Brady: Unstoppable since the KC game.

Toughest test on the 2014 schedule was aced with flying colors. Manning, Welker, and Talib go back thinking they better be playing at home come playoffs.
 
Season high 8 passes defended by the secondary. 4 fourth down conversions defended. Oh and...
 
#1 seed baby!

 

[Dollar]

Offense: Edelman, Gronk, Tom
Defense: Browner, Nink, Chung
Coaching: Matt Patricia
 
Every time Peyton audibled and changed the play at the LOS, you could see the defense reacting with their own play call and seemed confident in having the right call for the situation. Chalk that up to a solid week of preparation from the coaching staff.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

http://tunein.com/radio/1023-ESPN-1023-s31376/
 
Live Denver ESPN post-game radiocast. Cecil Lammey: "wow -- what a beatdown."

 

[Old Fart Tree]

Chung has been a revelation.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

GRONK GRONK GRONK
Ninkovich on D for an awareness INT that was key in turning around momentum
Ghost on ST

 

[RoyHobbs]

Chung was pretty much always where he needed to be. Definitely the pleasant surprise.
LaFell and Amendola with timely grabs despite a few gaffes as well.

 

[m0ckduck]

Run D was really critical, especially early on

 

[RedOctober3829]

Secondary--wow. What a game.
Gronk.
Brady
OL
Burger Tyme

 

[riboflav]

Offense: Edelman, Gronk, Tom
Defense: Browner, Nink, Chung
Coaching: Matt Patricia
 
Every time Peyton audibled and changed the play at the LOS, you could see the defense reacting with their own play call and seemed confident in having the right call for the situation. Chalk that up to a solid week of preparation from the coaching staff.

 
But they gave up all those yards!

 

[Byrdbrain]

In addition to those already discussed I thought Collins had maybe he best game of the year.
Well timed blitzes, decisive run stops and good coverage.
 
Hightower looked good too but I thought Collins was better.

 

[williams_482]

The whole team but especially the secondary was stellar. Manning probably had one of the emptiest 400 yard games in history, putting up absolutely terrible advanced numbers: -0.06 WPA and +0.1 EPA. 
 
I continue to be disappointed with the decision making on 4th down, but Belichick did at least go for it on 4th and 5 in no man's land. 

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

Any time a defense looks that prepared and confident against a Peyton Manning offense, gotta give a nod to the man with a mic in his helmet. Game ball for Hightower.

 

[Tharkin]

Game ball to the miracle of technology. I stood in my garage with the power knocked out in the middle of a howling blizzard in Maine and watched the 4th quarter live on my phone. The world is magical.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

There just aren't enough superlatives to describe Gronk.

 

[Old Fart Tree]

That Gronk catch is one of the most ridiculous catches I've ever seen

 

[Dollar]

We didn't hear his name too often in this game, but that sack by Ayers on 4th down was HUGE.  If Peyton converts that fourth down and Denver scores, it's probably a 6-point game going into halftime.  Instead the Pats use the short field and Vereen scores to put them up by 20.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

So rush 3, contain the run, drop 8 into coverage, disguise timely blitzes, and physical play by the secondary?
 
Where have we seen that game plan before?

 

[snowmanny]

Offense: Edelman, Gronk, Tom
Defense: Browner, Nink, Chung
Coaching: Matt Patricia
 
Every time Peyton audibled and changed the play at the LOS, you could see the defense reacting with their own play call and seemed confident in having the right call for the situation. Chalk that up to a solid week of preparation from the coaching staff.

And Jimmy G!

 

[staz]

Game ball to the miracle of technology. I stood in my garage with the power knocked out in the middle of a howling blizzard in Maine and watched the 4th quarter live on my phone. The world is magical.

That's awesome.

Game ball to #12. Made the reads and delivered tight darts all day long in tough conditions. If he missed, he missed safely. (The pick was a deflection.)

 

[Stitch01]

Offense is pretty ridiculous right now, most everyone there deserves accolades. Would like to get enough run blocking to provide a little more balance, but passing game is really on point

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Per Gil Brandt:
 

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning combined to throw 110 passes today, the most for two QBs in a non-OT game in NFL history. 

 

[brandonchristensen]

ESPN caller complaining about leaving the tarp off the field for the snowfall lol

 

[Valek123]

McDaniel & Patricia

Seemed a step ahead all day, I've crapped on McD my fair share but the plan today was great - helped that Brady was locked in.

Collins, Ayers and Hightower.

 

[steveluck7]

I'm giving one to Malcolm Butler. Didn't shut his man down by any means but had a TON asked of him and made a few plays against Peyton in the biggest game of his life to date

 

[Three10toLeft]

Hightower played a really great game.
 
It seemed like he was responsible for relaying the defensive formation/plays and getting everyone organized in Mayo's absence. Obviously it's a little difficult to tell what exactly he was saying, but he seemed to be communicating well.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

You know whose name I didn't hear all day?  Terrence Knighton.   Terrific job by the interior defenders taking him out of the game.  Mankins was not remotely missed today.

 

[Three10toLeft]

Future game ball to whatever eventually kills TJ Ward.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Tip of the cap to Trent Dilfer and Steve Young for saying the Patriots were done and Brady isn't very good anymore.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Did anyone gif that Gronk 1 hander?

 

[Harry Hooper]

Hightower played a really great game.
 
It seemed like he was responsible for relaying the defensive formation/plays and getting everyone organized in Mayo's absence. Obviously it's a little difficult to tell what exactly he was saying, but he seemed to be communicating well.

 
 
He exuded an inspiring confidence to the D as he made the calls. Special Teams has played a huge role in this winning streak, including this game.

 

[Dollar]

Did anyone gif that Gronk 1 hander?

 

[ifmanis5]

Game ball to ESPN's Tom Jackson for being a clueless Denver pom pom waver and picking the Broncos. Well, he wasn't alone, 64% of the experts went with Denver: http://nflpickwatch.com/

 

[Super Nomario]

Offense: Edelman, Gronk, Tom
Defense: Browner, Nink, Chung
Coaching: Matt Patricia
 
Every time Peyton audibled and changed the play at the LOS, you could see the defense reacting with their own play call and seemed confident in having the right call for the situation. Chalk that up to a solid week of preparation from the coaching staff.

Yes
 

In addition to those already discussed I thought Collins had maybe he best game of the year.
Well timed blitzes, decisive run stops and good coverage.
 
Hightower looked good too but I thought Collins was better.

Yes
 

You know whose name I didn't hear all day?  Terrence Knighton.   Terrific job by the interior defenders taking him out of the game.  Mankins was not remotely missed today.

Yes
 

I can watch that .gif forever.

 
YES

 

[Devizier]

Special teams mention for Jonathan Casillas. Made a lot of great tackles, always seemed to be the first man down on kicks.

 

[LuckyBen]

Special teams mention for Jonathan Casillas. Made a lot of great tackles, always seemed to be the first man down on kicks.

Missed the game, how did ayers and branch look (if he played).

 

[Byrdbrain]

Ayers was pretty good, mainly played RDE but dropped into coverage a bit. He had a huge sack on 4th and 6 in the first half.
Branch played a little but didn't do much that I saw.

 

[Al Zarilla]

I've seen one handed catches before, but never when a guy had to change direction so much.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Wrong thread, but Brady is awesome.

 

[GBrushTWood]

How about Akeem Ayers? Dude was stapled to the bench a couple weeks back in Tennessee. Belichick trades a 5th(?) round pick for him, and he ends up sacking Manning on a key 4th down play tonight.
 
If Ayers keeps making plays and adjusting, he could help mitigate the loss of Mayo a bit.

 

[jmcc5400]

I would like to give a game ball to Brady, but I have to wait until I see if he won this round on Bill Barnwell's scorecard.

 

[LuckyBen]

Ayers was pretty good, mainly played RDE but dropped into coverage a bit. He had a huge sack on 4th and 6 in the first half.
Branch played a little but didn't do much that I saw.

Thanks!

 

[Ed Hillel]

Pats traded a 6th for Ayers and a 7th. So like 10-15 spots late in the draft. He looks solid, no doubt.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I've seen one handed catches before, but never when a guy had to change direction so much.

And with his left, non-dominant, hand.

 

[simplyeric]

Did anyone hear Brady at the line, I think late in the third, yelling 'Denver Broncos! Denver Broncos!' Right before the snap?

 

[Section15Box113]

And with his left, non-dominant, hand.

 
As the defender arrived.

 

[Import78]

Not that he should get a game ball out of it, but how about that punt from Allen?  I think I heard 67 yards from his own end zone.   The penalty tacked on sent my shadenfreude into overdrive. 

 

[sonofgodcf]

Gronk dominates with both hands!

 

[DJnVa]

Did anyone hear Brady at the line, I think late in the third, yelling 'Denver Broncos! Denver Broncos!' Right before the snap?

 
 
I did...

 

[JMDurron]

On top of everyone who has been mentioned, the kickoff coverage team did some great work in the 2nd quarter.  Despite kicking into the wind, the Broncos never got great field position after all of those scoring drives.  I was pretty amazed.