Jones' Day-After Takeaways: Tough Loss, But Patriots Still Super Bowl Caliber

Lacy gashed the Patriots for 49-yards on the game's first three plays (one catch, two runs). Credit the Pats for limiting him after that.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

You could tell early that protection for Rodgers was excellent. The first third down -- defensive holding on Browner -- was a good example.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Forgot the Patriots ran it on three consecutive plays on their opening drive (Blount 6, Vereen 2, Blount 0), but were forced to punt.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

The second call against Browner -- illegal use of hands to the face of Nelson -- is as ticky-tack as it gets.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Great coverage by Revis on third-and-nine from NE 17. Rodgers had nowhere to throw. Forced to airmail it over Cobb and settle for FG.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Big missed opportunity by the Pats after Crosby kicked it out of bounds. Three-and-out after starting at own 40? (Cue first Brady F bomb.)

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Back-to-back great tackles by Tramon Williams late in first quarter. Wraps up on Gronk in space, then stops Edelman short of first down.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Two reasons to respect Aaron Rodgers: 1) the cold weather doesn't bother him and 2) neither does Jamie Collins stepping on his hand.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Brady showed tremendous pocket awareness in the second quarter, stepping up to avoid pressure to hit Gronk and Hooman on back-to-back plays.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Tough day for Hochuli's crew (really tough), but good no-call on second quarter play where Revis and Nelson got tangled up in the end zone.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Underrated play: Hightower's delayed blitz on third-and-goal, forcing Packers to settled for third field goal of the day (Score: 16-7).

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Cannon was absolutely brutal on Pats final offensive drive of half: nearly let Matthews strip Brady on first play and false start at GB 2.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Prior to Nelson's end of half TD, Rodgers targeted Revis twice on drive: an eight-yard catch on right sideline and a breakup by Revis.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Spare me the push-off talk on Nelson's TD. Revis was beat by an elite receiver. It happens (though not very often to Revis).

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Poor start to second half by Pats. Brady forced to burn a timeout, then misses Amendola on third-and-13.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Overlooked play: Chris Jones' third quarter sack backed up Green Bay five-yards, forcing Crosby to kick it from 40 (wide left).

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Second third down throw of the quarter that Brady would like back, missing Gronk in the flat on third-and-9.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

To anyone complaining about Nelson pushing off on Revis, take a look at 3rd-and-7 completion to Adams. Now THAT was a push off.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Rare back-to-back mistakes by Rodgers late in third: a delay of game penalty followed by a throw behind Nelson with lots of room to run.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Collins overpowers Lacy, sticks with play and drops Rodgers for sack. Packers eventually forced to punt for first time (2:29 left in third).

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Hey, Aaron Dobson: good job, good effort.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Great run by Blount on the first play of the fourth quarter, spinning and dragging would-be tacklers for 13-yards on third-and-one.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Next play: Blount shakes off two tackles in the backfield for another 13-yard run.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

LaFell's second TD was a thing of beauty: a double move up the left sideline. Brady pumped and fired a perfect back shoulder strike.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Huge third down conversion by the Packers early in the 4th. Rodgers keeps eyes up field and finds Quarless for nine-yards (third-and-six).

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Quarless had two-catches all day. Both came on final scoring drive. Feel like that sums up Rodgers/Packers: not afraid to spread it around.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Pats brought house on third-and-five at NE 10. Rodgers delivered perfect strike to Adams on a slant. #Dropvante

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

No reason for Bolden to see carries with the way Blount was running. Got one on second play of final drive and was dropped for 1-yard loss.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Tweeted at time, but I loved Belichick's decision to go for it on 4th-and-3. Big difference between own 49 and own 28 (i.e. Indy 4th-and-2).

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Blount only had three carries on the Pats final drive. One went for 12-yards.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Gronk has made some incredible catches during his career, but that diving would-be TD might've topped the list given the situation.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

Didn't hear from Nate Solder all day -- a good thing -- but allowed a killer sack to Mike Neal late. 9-yard loss pushed kick from 38 to 47.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

That said, Gostkowski still has to make that kick. #NoCover

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

McCarthy gambles and throws on third-and-four (2:28 left, Pats out of timeouts). Rodgers has all day and finds Cobb for 7-yards. Game over.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014

No shame in losing a one-possession game at Lambeau. I don't doubt for a second that the Patriots are Super Bowl contenders.

— Hockey Jones ???????????? (@adamjones985) December 1, 2014