a few random thoughts from the latest heartbreak:
-i was sooo happy butker made the field goal to force OT. he would have gotten unjustifiably run out of town had he missed the kick. all NFL kickers are amazing at their craft, but only about a quarter of them are rock solid between the ears. butker had already positioned himself to have a very good career before yesterday, but i think that kick under those circumstances is gonna be a major boost for him personally.
-the late 4th quarter sequence was a near exact replica of the chiefs-rams game from a few months ago. in the rams game, chiefs trailing by 3, they completed it to the 20 yard line - before the rams were whistled for a personal foul that moved the chiefs to 1st-and-goal. that personal foul arguably cost the chiefs the game, because without it, they could have chewed up clock and punched in a late TD to get a walk off win. instead, they scored on the very next play and the rams had plenty of time for rebuttal. this time, watkins' catch and run - awesome as it was - proved to be too good. had he went down at, say, the 15 yard line instead of the 2, the chiefs could have guaranteed themselves OT at worst or perhaps a late TD that didn't leave Brady with 2-plus minutes. it's a bit unconventional, but in today's NFL with offenses as good as they are, scoring late half and at end of games can't just be about if, but also when.
-the edelman overturn was ridiculous. maybe the ball hit him, maybe it didn't. to my eyes, it did. but how can you conclusively say it didn't and overturn the call? the ensuing INT was a huge bailout for the NFL there imo.
-bob sutton must go. i was fine with him coming back this year. andy gave him an overly fair shake. but in the end, his unit didn't deliver, and what evidence do we have that suggests it ever will? andy/mahomes will outclass every coordinator they go up against, including belichick. but brady/mcdaniels vs sutton is just a monster mismatch. if not for an endzone INT and a couple of 4th down stops, the Pats would have scored 45 pts in regulation and possessed the ball for 40+ mins.
Agree with about everything you said but these points in particular. At least the Watkins drive got KC up four, which limited the Patriots ability to completely milk the clock so we were able to get the last FG.
From my angle, I did not see the offsides or the flag for it and was partying like crazy when I thought the Chiefs were ending the game. That flag broke me.
I was at the stadium too so did not see/hear the analysis, but did not understand the "catch" that the replay officials let stand. Seemed pretty clearly loose in his arm and moving some as it hit the ground.
I don't think the ball hit Edelman. I just don't think there was anything 100% conclusive on that replay.