House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Mourning Chop: The Day After, Dozier

By Alan Carpenter

Sep 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) hits a single during the twelfth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Minnesota Twins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) hits a single during the twelfth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Minnesota Twins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) knocks a pass out of the hands of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower (54) knocks a pass out of the hands of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Falcons’ defensive meltdown last night raises the bar on the term ‘epic collapse’

Sure – this is an Atlanta Braves baseball site.  But as we stand with our brethren the Falcons, most of us here in Braves Country are still numbed by what we witnessed in the space of just over an hour last night.

So I guess Tom Brady is pretty good at his job.  Give him a few power-ups (A.K.A. defensive penalties) and he’s good to go.

I won’t be attempting to analyze the game itself – that would be foolhardy.  But it is fairly evident that with no remaining margin for error, the Patriots played a near-perfect game for the last 25-28 minutes after spotting the Falcons an enormous lead.

They did this despite a missed extra point and botched onside kick.  Despite starting most of their possessions with poor-or-worse field position. Despite being forced to use properly inflated footballs.

Normally you can coast with a 25 point lead.  I don’t really believe that the Falcons did, though their intensity level dropped in the second half even as New England’s ramped up.

But the pain was felt.

Home/Braves News