Let's see........ We can look at it from the perspective of we can afford a mental error of lining up in the neutral zone IF we have defensive talent along with good defensive scheming and coaching because we have made enough stops to ensure we have more points on the board at all times.....never allowing yourself to be in vulnerable situations like mental errors in the most crucial times that affect the outcome.
or
we can view it as even in spite of all our defensive deficiencies(lack of talent, lack of scheming/lack of good coaching) our lethal offense who was 1/2 hamstrung most of the night was still able to put up 28pts to pull ahead in the last remaining moments of the game thus still affording horrible trench play on both sides of the ball.
BUT this IS the precise situation we were in and we knew our defensive deficiencies going in thus you MUST be razor sharp in not committing mental errors of which you DO HAVE CONTROL OF regardless of lack of talent. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!
It is both views IMHO.
We shouldn't have never let our defense get to this point
BUT because we did and we knew this going in the only thing we could do and have control over is making sure we are mentally sharp on every play. So Dee Ford can be blamed for us not going to the SB!