[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

Exactly, calling Moss a non-factor simply because he didn't catch a ball shows a total lack of understanding of how a passing game, or offense in general, works. Moss, even if he's sulking, forces a defence to respect the long ball and stretches the gaps that a guy like Welker is excellent at finding. Taking that deep threat out of the offence completely changes the way that a defence plays the Pats. Not only does it free up the top corner to jump on someone else, it also allows safeties to mug tighter, which changes both the passing and running game. That's not to say the Pats can't win without Moss, there's more than one way to be effective offensively, but it's a totally different dynamic now.

I don't think the result on Monday would have been different without Moss, the Dolphins special teams saw to that, but who knows, if Welker cant find space maybe some of those 3rd down conversions go the other way.

How many teams' top receiver does not garner double coverage or stretch the field?