Sunday (1/13/13) Divisional Game Thread

[ChrisPozz]

Rachel Nichols:

Some notes on this game as we get started: expect the Patriots to be aggressive today - Coach Bill Belichick described his mindset this way: "you don’t win by digging a foxhole and sitting in it. You've got to go out there and attack."...TE Rob Gronkowski told me the arm he broke earlier this season continues to improve and that he doesn't anticipate needing to protect it from getting hit, as he appeared to in the Pats' last game....NE is running the ball 24% more than they did last season; last time they ran this much (2004), they won a Super Bowl. Also lets them take better advantage of the play action, which I'm told they think Houston is susceptible to....And of course, the racquetball rackets were back out at practice again this week. Patriots assistant coaches and trainers were standing behind the defensive line holding the rackets above their heads to simulate JJ Watt trying to swat away Tom Brady's passes. Brady said practicing like that is frustrating, but he has to admit...it works.

 

[NinerSickness]

Oh, I didn't know Gronk was out. Good!

 

[clyde_carbon]

Oh, I didn't know Gronk was out. Good!

He was in, but might have reinjured himself catching a ball down the sideline.

 

[NinerSickness]

Wes Welcher did a repeat of Superbowl XLIX.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Sando:

Top three Total QBR scores in playoffs so far: Kaepernick 94.7, Flacco 89.5, Wilson 86.4

 

[NinerSickness]

He was in, but might have reinjured himself catching a ball down the sideline.

Ah. Missed that. I'm listening to the radio broadcast.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Mike Reiss:

TE Rob Gronkowski is heading to the locker room.

X-rays.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Back shoulder against Talib. Go to that as much as realistically possible.

 

[clyde_carbon]

I just don't see a special talent in Foster. So productive, and does a nice job catching the ball, but I don't think he's as talented as his production would indicate.

 

[ChrisPozz]

"Physically compromised"? What an awesome way to describle an injury. Ha.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Mike Pereira:

Can't have interference at or behind the LOS even though contact was a bit early.

 

[NinerSickness]

I just don't see a special talent in Foster. So productive, and does a nice job catching the ball, but I don't think he's as talented as his production would indicate.

Kubiak is just a genius in the running game.

 

[clyde_carbon]

Jim Nantz and Phil Sims are horrible.

 

[Robotech]

When Seattle scored to make it 27-20 with 9 min left, did anyone here think that they should've gone for 2? My thought was that if ATL scores a FG, they would only be down 30-22 if they make the 2-pt conversion there.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Mike Reiss:

Patriots injury update: TE Rob Gronkowski, arm, questionable to return.

 

[NinerSickness]

When Seattle scored to make it 27-20 with 9 min left, did anyone here think that they should've gone for 2? My thought was that if ATL scores a FG, they would only be down 30-22 if they make the 2-pt conversion there.

No. Kicking the extra point was the right call IMO.

 

[CalamityX11]

Jim Nantz and Phil Sims are horrible.

i think they'll be our Super Bowl Commentators...

 

[sjballer03]

I just don't see a special talent in Foster. So productive, and does a nice job catching the ball, but I don't think he's as talented as his production would indicate.

In a way I agree. Not to lessen his accomplishments, but he is somewhat of a product of the zone blocking scheme. A system RB so to speak.

 

[NinerSickness]

i think they'll be our Super Bowl Commentators...

Bleh!

 

[sjballer03]

I'll take Jim Nantz and Phil Simms over Joe Buck any day.