My thoughts from this mess of a game:
-Backups at the second level and nickel corner were exposed. Safeties are also a problem.
-Still have no idea what Brady was thinking with the trick play. From Allen trying to throw the ball, I assumed it worked on the back end and someone was wide open. Nope. The full view of the play showed that Hollins had a step on a safety, but it wasn't a total coverage bust. Just idiotic decision-making when they were already moving the ball more effectively.
-Adjacent to that question: what is Curtis Samuel supposed to bring to this offense besides catching bubble screens? Feels like the coaching staff has pigeon-holed him in the McKenzie/Harty gadget WR role, but he's also not that good as a traditional WR. Unimpressed with his play thus far.
-My biggest pet peeve with Brady is how he almost *never* dials up shot plays on 2nd and short. It's usually running the ball to get the first down, which puts them right back in trying to stay ahead of the sticks vs. being in an optimal position to try for an explosive. If an intermediate or deep pass is incomplete, you're still at 3rd and 2 or less.
-McD's decisions to punt in the first half are exactly why I struggle to trust him come playoff time. It seems like, against good teams, he defaults to assuming the worst for the offense while also having total faith in the defense to get a stop. In this game, in particular, I don't understand why he'd think that, especially on the 4th and 2 from the 39 while down 14-3. Your defense has gotten shredded on both drives and is down multiple starters. You can't afford to freely give the ball back to Baltimore there...but he did.
-I don't think they have a choice about this: they need to bring in actual competition for Bass. Can't go into every game feeling like you have to get the ball to the 25 or closer to have even a modicum of confidence in your kicker.
