Tale of 2 halves should raise hopes and concerns
 

Seems there is always a game or two every season where you find yourself saying "this half was totally different". In the 1st half our offense was eating up clock and scoring every possession until a missed FG. Our defense was holding Cleveland to 3 and out every possession until a missed FG.

I think we might have started sleep walking a bit. After the missed FG, 2 plays and a TD for Cleveland and suddenly we were getting punched in the mouth.

The offense answered with a great drive for a TD to move the lead back to 13 but Cleveland worked our D again for a FG at the end of the half.

Then the 2nd half starts and everyone is like "WTF?"

Cleveland marched right down the field to score a TD on their 1st drive.

Our offense sputtered. Our O-line forgot to come out of the locker room. Smith missed a WR who (from my view at the game) appeared to let up a little.

Our defense got 0 pressure and was suddenly scratching to get the Browns off the field.

However, once again when it mattered the team showed up. Outcoached and outplayed for the better part of the 2nd half the defense found their game. The offense found their game. We controlled the ball, burned some clock, extended the lead and held Cleveland from scoring.

The concerns:
O-line has just got to improve all the way around
Every Qb overthrows receivers but Smith is doing it a little too much. I'd rather he overthrown than underthrow but he has to hit these guys when they are open better than he has.

The hopes:
With all the concerns and the ugliness of the game, our QB still managed to have a good game and kept away from the dreaded turnover that may have tilted the game the other way

The defense stiffened up and finally started getting pressure when they absolutely had to have it.


Adversity is something we are dealing with game after game as of late and we are not folding. This is the promise of this team. We don't get scared. We don't panic. We don't go into a shell. We find a way to play through or mistakes.

8-0 is something no one in the world thought we would be. Here's to a special season!!!

:toast:... Cheers!

Tale of two halves indeed.. hate the nail-biter games we have been enduring, but the endings are a big :clap: .

This team won't get complacent... each aspect is doing enough when they need to. KC exemplifies the team game motto as well as any team can.

I like it when the defense stiffens up

Offense moved the ball well and ate clock the 1st half.

2nd half the line played like $#it, Smiff played like $@it, defense thought they were french for the whole 3rd quarter...

I don't think we made shit for adjustments and we got caught thinking we were gonna roll this team.

I agree, the defense looked shocked, and it showed in their play. When they finally woke up, they held the Browns pretty well. (mid-4th quarter and on)

The lack of pressure against a Browns offensive line that had given up a ton of sacks is worrisome.

The Browns have a couple pro-bowlers on their O-line

we had like 35 yards offense and 5 punts in the second half for a total of 3 points...yet our offense 'found its game'?

our longest drive in the 2nd half was 3mins and 5 secs, and 6 plays...

welcome to a pete thread...

and no mention of Smith missing another wide open td pass in the first half?

Very valid points and a good thread. Alex Smith is missing our open receivers by 4-5 feet because he is afraid of an INT.

His completion PCT stinks for a 8-0 team!

good experience for the offense today, they got a lot of real game work in during the 1st half.

2nd half was even more disappointing because of the 1st half success

The pass to Fasano was right in front of me. Fasano wasn't real quick to find the ball...he looked like he didn't find it right away

Alex Smith is scared

he doesn't just throw to the receiver, he throws away from the defense as he is throwing to the receiver.

he's got to get over it

LMAO

there you are folks

vintage pete

someone shits on his face then he posts on facebook about the delicious chocolate ice cream he just ate...

I thought Cleveland did a great job suiting up Connor Shaw.