The firing was all related to that loss to GB. Before you look at scores, look at the record of the opposing teams at that time and remember how the season evolves over a season. The comparison is ridiculous. The defense did not play better once he was gone. Remember how much the role the offense has in the performance of a defense. If you watched those games, you will remember that the offense underperformed. The average Time of Possession of the 3 games going into the firing of Phillips was 23 minutes. After the firing, the next 3 games the average TOP was 29 minutes, but if you remove the 22 min of TOP against the Giants that they fluked off a win in, the TOP was now at about 32 min. This doesn't sound to you like an OC that changed out his game plan once the HC was gone and he was inserted???
That is what fans saw during that time. Garrett seemingly submarined Phillips and having watched those games (unfortunately), I would say that the difference was obvious and motivated. Apparently everyone sees the games differently, but fans that watched the situation closely came to the same conclusion I did. That is the primary reason I have NO respect for Garrett. And after 9 years, he hasn't earned any either. I am not going to be duped by this fake.