Patriots running up the score?

Question

When Belichick was talking to the press after the Redskins game, he said something like "What do you want me to do, kick a field goal?"

That's a good question. People kick field goals, people run, and people throw short passes not to avoid running up the score, but to play it safe. But he doesn't play it safe. By going for it on forth down, by continuing to pass, by passing deep, is he not giving the other team every chance to stop them and make the Patriots come away from that drive with 0 points, and maybe even get a quick 7 points with an INT or Fum runback?

By kicking FGs, he's both playing it safe and piling on more points. So if he's going to be adding more points either way, doesn't it create more opportunity for the other team if those points are attempted in risky ways, ie; throwing deep, going for it on 4th down, etc?

Answer 1

The only thing I would have done different then Belichick would have been to take out star players or bring the whole 2nd string. I wouldn't want to risk my star players from a season ending injury. Whats all this running the score board about? This is football not figure skating. Give the other team a chance? They did once the Skins had the ball. Sorry that the Skins have whack defense. That defense should be ashamed calling themselves professional football players. And then crying on national t.v. that the Pats have no respect for the team or game. The Skins have no respect for themselve for the way they played. And winning is the only thing either by 1 point or by 100 points.

Answer 2

No After all, Offensive players play to score points. People bring up what if Tom gets hurt .....a bunch of what if's.....that's how it is in life.....life is unpredictable. Too many people bring up scenarios that might not even happen. I just see a lot of Patriots bashing. A lot of holier than thou people pointing the finger at the team. A lot of teams have blown out people and weren't given crap about it like the Colts. This is NFL...this isn't pop warner. If they don't want the Patriots to score,then the defense should play better. Having starters in there is not necessarily bad...especially if they want to stay sharp. Also.....there is such thing as comebacks. Anything could happen in the NFL. Nobody expected a 6th round draft pick to replace Drew Bledsoe and lead the Patriots to win 3 Super Bowls.


I think that it's very heinous and even evil to wish a human being injured. I think that's totally indicates lacking class.

Answer 3

The Pats and their coach are simply classless. Why should we ask children to be good sports when they could just turn around and throw it away when they become so called "professionals". It could possibly be excusable if they WERE children and didn't know any better, but they aren't, yet they act even more immature and childish than children. Running up the score is a sign of a team's over compensating because of their lack of sportsmanship or moral center - regardless of the level. They have already disqualified themselves from being one of the best teams of all time...they simply do not rise to that respectable level even if they should break all records and win the Super Bowl 10 consecutive years in a row. All this because they refuse to fully repent of their wrongdoing in "Videogate" with a huge chip on their shoulder and Belicheat's caesar complex.

Answer 4

The biggest comeback in NFL history is 32 points at halftime. So, do the Patriots think their team is SO bad that they would allow the Redskins to comeback in the 4th quarter with a 45 point deficit? Get a clue people! Some people who are trying to rationalize the fact that running up the score was necessary, are really pathetic. They probably don't know much about football until they jumped on the bandwagon.

Answer 5

What do you want the pats to do sit on the ball? Kneel down? Isn't that more embarrassing? How much do NFL players get paid and you want them to stop playing? I think it is funny how everyone is whining now. No one whined when the 49ers were throwing 50 points on teams. No one complained about the Colts in 04 when Manning was putting up record numbers and beating teams 49-14, 41-10, 41- 9 , and 51-24. Stop your whining for God's sake!

Answer 6

I agree, people need to stop crying about running up the score...everyone comes here to watch a show and if you're not prepared to play some defense, you might as well just say I forfeit the game.

There is no disrespect that another coach is putting up more points than the opposing team can handle, it's the opponents teams fault they're allowing kicks to the groin.

This is a life lesson to these teams, if they don't like getting the score run up on them, then work harder, don't blame others because you're sucking and it's embarrassing or disrespectful...no, don't blame that on others, blame it on yourself, you deserved it. Now they can step up and work harder and actually want to play. The Patriots are good, but if you don't believe you can handle the score, why not just save us all the time and cancel the game. It's any given sunday, any given sunday!

Answer 7

No one who is a true football fan is going to be upset by a team running their offense. However, when you are up by 38 points in the 2nd half there is more class in running the football and grinding clock. It's ok to punt the football or kick a field goal on 4th down.

I personally would love to see Brady go down with a career ending injury in one of those situations, not because I hate Brady or am malicious towards the Patriots, but because it is not necessary for him to be out there. Put in your second string players and get them some game experience. Your starters got you the lead - there is no merit in leaving them to risk just so you can pad the scoreboard.

Answer 8

Yes, the patriots are running up the score. They are leaving their " stars" in the game the entire time. I'm sure the New England Fans enjoy the " beatings" put on the other teams. However, those same fans will cry and Bilichick will be fired when Tom Brady gets a season ending injury at a point in a game where it is not necessary for him to even be playing. Same goes for the rest of the " stars " on that team.

Answer 9

Truly you are right, they could have caused a problem. But they were so far ahead they actually put the third string quarterback in and still dogged the skins. I undestand caution is important on a close game but whe it issuch a blow out, see what your team can really accomplish. Run the hard routes, push the envelope and see if your team has it. Besides when you are doin that well, your team moral is so high you will be playing on, and the mistakes won't be any where as possible.

Answer 10

He should just kick the field goal. Or take Brady out with a 35 point lead in the 4th quarter.