Against the Saints, the defense lead the way, giving the offense short fields, mostly in the second half. But two first-half play-calls were decisions that harken back to a less certain time (i.e., the middle of the regular season), when it seemed slow starts and "no risk it, no biscuit" would doom this team.
1Q - 3d down & 3 on Bucs 32 - deep shot to Gronk (incomplete)
2Q - 3d down & 1 on Bucs 34 - deep shot to Gronk (incomplete, almost INT)
These failed--and entirely avoidable--playcalls killed 2 of 6 first-half drives. Even with Brees' limitations, the Bucs failure to score and move the ball effectively from their side of the field had the Saints looking like the better team through the first half. The risk-reward calculation on these plays makes no sense, particularly in a playoff game, where every drive is critical. I don't think Aaron Rodgers gives the Bucs any room for these kinds of errors.
