Remember how the Patriots’ single-game DVOA against Houston was surprisingly high? Well, it turns out it wasn’t just very high. It was “top ten of all-time high,” at least on the offensive side of the ball. Eighth, to be exact. The Patriots had a lot of mid-range gains rather than depending on a couple of big plays, plus they had very few plays that lost yardage and no turnovers. They did this against the defense that ranked No. 3 in DVOA this season.
This week against the Ravens, the Patriots should use the multiple attack that they used last week, for several reasons. They have several personnel matchup advantages against the Baltimore defense. As we saw last week, Shane Vereen out of backfield as a receiver is a winnable matchup. In addition, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd spread out the defense individually and as a group, and will also make things tougher for a Ravens’ secondary that has matchup problems. Adding Stevan Ridley and potential of the run makes it even harder for Baltimore to prepare for, especially when several of the pieces are in packages together and New England runs the hurry-up, no-huddle offense.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-week-against-the-ravens-the-patriots-should/
The #Patriots have officially placed Rob Gronkowski on Injured Reserve.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 17, 2013
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-have-officially-placed-rob/
X’s & O’s: Running backs in space – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
X’s & O’s: Running backs in space – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Belichick then calls up another play with Vereen split wide to the right, later on that same drive. “This time the matchup is a little bit different [on Vereen], with a little bit tighter coverage – the safety cheated over a little bit further,” Belichick notes, pointing out that Brady decides to work the “slot side part of the combination” on the other side – with tight end Aaron Hernandez coming out of the backfield and going outside, and Wes Welker going underneath. Hernandez gets a step on a linebacker and advances the ball to the 1. Belichick credits Brady with recognizing coverage and getting the ball to the right player. Also a nice block by center Ryan Wendell creates a nice throwing lane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7W5qlRk3X0
NFL: Conference Championship Game Simulations (by ESPN)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/nfl-conference-championship-game-simulations-by/
NFL Playoffs: Tedy Bruschi’s Breakdown of New England Patriots-Baltimore Ravens playoff game – ESPN Boston
Mike: Would you take the same type of approach if you were Pees?
Tedy: I think the first thing I’d say to my defensive front is that there will be times when they’ll only have six men in the box to stop the run because we have to worry about this passing game. I’d put some more emphasis on that with the linemen and linebackers. Then I’d concentrate on taking away that inside passing game, which is similar to what others have tried to do with re-routing slot receivers and receiving tight ends. I’d arm my linebackers and slot defenders with various calls – and also using defensive ends at times – to disrupt the passing game inside and between the numbers. Make them beat me outside. I’d also be concerned with running backs offset in the passing game.