2011 - Divisional Round - AFC West Champs versus AFC East Champs - stp2081's Dynasty

stp2081's Dynasty Blog

2011 - Divisional Round - AFC West Champs versus AFC East Champs

Posted on October 22, 2010 at 08:31 PM.

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"San Diago" prevailed over a Flacco-less Baltimore in the Wildcard round, and went on to face the Patriots in New England. The one-two attack of Sproles and Mathews was working much more effectively than last year with great run blocking, and Chargers QB Philip Rivers' passing game was in prime form, using plenty of play action and hitting receiving weapons TE Antonio Gates and WR Vincent Jackson often, and lit up the Pats' D with a deep pass to WR Malcolm Floyd, and all within the first quarter. The Pats were down 14-7 before they knew it, and the speed and will with which San Diego was scoring and forcing 3-and-outs helped them take a 14-10 lead over New England going into Halftime. Given all that, and the fact that New England never gave up 14 points in the first quarter and trailed at halftime this season or last, many thought SD would take NE out. But the Patriots weren't done, and with a resurgent running game led by RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the Patriots' offense had more balance to their passing attack, and Brady & Co. would carry momentum from the third into the fourth quarter, and this game was much closer than the final score suggests. The game highlighted the importance of making halftime adjustments, for even New England.