Film Review

Film Review: Patriots vs. Panthers Defense Edition

October 4, 2017 by Mike Dussault

Alright, let’s just get this over with. I’ve seen enough breakdowns already all over the internet of just how terrible the Patriots defense was, but as always, taking a closer look at the All-22 film always reveals more than met the eye during the live broadcast watch.

As I pounded home on Patshow yesterday it’s really hard to know what the real problems on this defense are because blown coverages just make it so easy for the offense. People always look to the pass rush first and foremost but it’s hard to truly evaluate the front when receivers are running free through the secondary. Still, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the betting odds for the Patriots games are not looking good and deservedly so.

Here’s what stood out on the film review as we try to get this one in the rearview mirror as quickly as possible. Yay Thursday night football for once.

Via NFL Gamepass

Film Review: Patriots vs. Texans Offense Edition

September 28, 2017 by Mike Dussault

The Patriots offense has certainly gone through a new evolution this season. While we all expected the four-headed running back monster to be a major focal point, it’s really just been the downfield passing game that has taken off thus far.

You continue to see strides in various areas as Brady learns how to best use this newfound speed at wide receiver. It was certainly on display with Brandin Cooks in this one as Brady found him three times deep for game-changing (and -winning) plays.

The progression is obvious, but there are still quite a few areas where the offense has to get better, especially the blocking up front and in the running game. But there’s plenty to be excited about, especially as Brady finds his new chains-movers.

Let’s dive into the offensive film review!

Film Review: Patriots vs. Texans Defense Edition

September 27, 2017 by Mike Dussault

The defense is getting a ton of attention this week because, as you’ve probably heard, they rank last or close to last in most statistical categories three games into the season. Even my favorite ranking, Football Outsiders’ DVOA has them 32nd overall.

Sometimes I feel like complaining about the defense is just what fans do every year. They led the league in points against last season but many still stuck to the narrative that they were overrated, hadn’t played any good quarterbacks, etc. For whatever reason, no matter where they rank people tend to freak out about the D. Maybe it’s because they remember the 2000s defense, when football was different and defenses could really dominate, or maybe it’s just because they’re used to seeing Tom Brady dominate and they expect the same out of the other side of the ball.

Whatever the reasoning, it’s important to really look at each sequence, especially when we’re just three games into the season. I thought Mike Reiss did a nice job breaking down the difference between how the Pats D did vs. broken plays/scrambles vs. regular drop backs:

Scramble/loose plays: 13

Normal: 24

Watson was 7-of-11 for 117 yards on scramble/loose plays in which the pocket was sometimes re-established as he rolled out. That included one interception on the game-ending Hail Mary, as well as two sacks. In the normal passing game, Watson still made plays, but the results were indeed much more uneven.

Let’s dive into the All-22 film review to get a better sense of what’s going on with the Pats’ defense.

Film Review: Patriots D Gives Tom Brady a Chance

September 26, 2017 by Mike Dussault

Yes, if there’s one thing people are worried about with the Patriots it’s the defense because you know, after three games and like 150 snaps, they’re last in a lot of stat rankings. But this ignores the fact that without two bend-don’t-break drives in the fourth quarter from the defense that held the Texans to six points instead of 14, Tom Brady never would’ve had a chance for his heroics.

You could also throw the final game-sealing interception in there as a key play from the defense that helped with the win, but you get the point. There is plenty for the defense to get better at, none more important than stopping the big plays, but in this win over the Texans the defense wasn’t just saved by Tom Brady, they made plays when the game was on the line and deserve credit for that.

Here are two plays on the final Texans scoring drive, where they kicked a field goal to go up 33-28.

via NFLGameRewind

Film Review: Patriots vs. Saints Offense Edition

September 21, 2017 by Mike Dussault

Finishing off the film reviews of the Saints game with this quick-hit look at the offense. This looked like the Patriots offense we’re used to. Keep the chains moving, sprinkle in some trickeration and big plays, and win the short yardage situations with their power back. Despite the absences of Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola, the Patriots offense looked pretty much like we’ve come to expect.

As always, watching the All-22 really gives you a better sense of how teams defended the Patriots, but also allows you to take a closer look at things that were missed on initial glance. One big thing that stuck out to me is that I don’t think Tom Brady, Brandin Cooks and Josh McDaniels are quite on the same page yet. And I also think that Nate Solder isn’t quite playing the best football of his career.

More on those and everything else in the quick-hit Film Review…

Film Review: Patriots vs. Saints Defense Edition

September 20, 2017 by Mike Dussault

This morning I took a look at the overall defensive performance via the coaches film for the Patriots defense vs. the Saints after yesterday breaking down two specific plays that really allowed the offense to pull away at the end of the first half.

Overall I think this was a vastly improved performance by the Patriots defense. They mixed and matched coverages as well how many rushers they sent after the quarterback and the gameplan was pretty effective. If you can hold Drew Brees to 13 points through three quarters, you’re doing something right.

There were a few big plays again, but as I said in the gameplan, this isn’t the week to panic about those. Yes, the opener against the Chiefs was bad, but big plays via Drew Brees is something you just kind of have to live with. The biggest difference? Not giving up long scores. The big plays hurt, but they weren’t fatal. That’s the bend don’t break.

Here’s a bunch of rapid fire thoughts on the film review…

(photo via NFL Gamepass)

Two Key Plays: Patriots Defense at the end of the first half

September 19, 2017 by Mike Dussault

The Patriots’ third down defense is off to a strong start in 2017. After losing three key pass rushers this last offseason, the youngsters consisting of Trey Flowers, Adam Butler, Dietrich Wise and Cassius Marsh have shown consistent disruption getting after the quarterback early on.

After two games, the Patriots defense is tied for 10th on third down at a rate of 34.8 percent. Historically this is even better than the 2015 (37.3, ) and 2016 (36.9), defenses that finished ranked 10th and 7th respectively. Yes, it’s just two games, but it’s a good start and nice to see an injection of youth and promise at a critical area. One of need especially this year.

Let’s take a look at a two-down sequence to see how the third, and fourth-down defense allowed the Patriots to pull away toward victory.

As you can see below, the situation is that it’s the end of the first half and the Saints are just outside the redzone, down by two scores. Whether or not the game stays close depends on the Saints getting points here before getting the ball to start the second half. It’s a third and three, favorable distance for an offense, who can run or pass.

The Patriots appear to be in man defense, and with Elandon Roberts still in the game, they still have a pretty good run-defending linebacker behind a light front. Still, they’re clearing expecting pass.