Fair enough that you don’t want to make any predictions on this game, but what do you think the gameplan for the Pats is going to be and what do they NEED to do? Clearly, both coaches are going to try to keep the other offense off the field. Running the ball (maybe with ~60 percent of the playcalls as run) is going to be critical. If Gronk can play, I’d expect him in red zone and third down situations. It’s funny, in past years this would be a shootout! Now, the final score could be 10-7.

Was just reading a new piece by Greg Bedard and he put it all on the Pats running game since the Saints play mostly sub on defense. I agree with this, and for me it comes down to Ridley. 

Bolden and Blount are okay, but not game changers (even if I’d like to think Bolden could be). They need a 100+ rushing day out of Ridley. If that happens it makes things in the passing game a lot easier.

And I don’t think the Saints will be overly concerned with Ridley coming into the game. They might have a plan in case he gets going, but otherwise they’ll play the pass and make the Pats prove they can move the ball on the ground.

Then it just comes down to being better on third down and red zone and like you said, that’s where they would use Gronk, though now it doesn’t seem like he’s going to play.

Defensively I don’t think you get too complex with the Saints. Doesn’t mean you don’t blitz, I like Spikes playing a lot and sending him up the middle after Brees. Otherwise I think the Pats do what they usually do – play sound coverage, tackle well and hope that Brees throws some INTs or the force some fumbles.

That’s the three keys for me…

1. Ridley
2. Red Zone/Third Down Improvement for Offense
3. Force at least 2 turnovers