PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Pats Posits: Saving Their Best for Probably-Not-Their Last

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In their most thrilling Super Bowl yet, the New England Patriots came back from 25 points to beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, 34-28, cementing Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s place as the greatest Coach-QB duo in history.

A ton of new records were set or tied, including Most Super Bowls Won by a Head Coach (Bill Belichick, 5) Most Super Bowl Games (Tom Brady/Belichick, 7), most receptions (James White, 14), and Largest Deficit Overcome (25 points).

It’s taken me hours to wrap my head around this incredible victory and who knows how long it will take to fully grasp what unfolded. I never would’ve thought Brady’s performance in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 49 could be topped, but topped it was. But not before I had just about thrown in the towel.

At 28-3 in the middle of the third quarter, I dug into what I had hoped would be my Super Bowl victory cake. I was resigned that the Pats just met up with a red hot Falcons team and played their worst game of the season. Maybe they were bound to get blown out in one?

But like they always do, the Patriots never flinched. Once they cleaned up the mistakes — drops, ill-timed penalties and worst of all, turnovers — and figured out the Falcons’ coverage, Brady moved the ball at will.

Most impressive was that the legendary comeback was such a group effort. So many guys came through with clutch plays — White, Edelman, Hightower and Flowers are just three that jump out to me right away, but it was a team comeback, as much as it was Brady’s brilliance.

I can and will write thousands of words about this game, so let’s get a jump on all the analysis to come with the Posits.

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Patriots Gameplan: Super Bowl 51 vs. Atlanta Falcons

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Here we go again. The Patriots are headed to an NFL-record ninth Super Bowl, their seventh under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, and have a chance to firmly place themselves atop the history books in almost every regard.

Going to the Super Bowl never gets old. It’s wall-to-wall media coverage of your team as their season is dissected by all the best analysts. The nerves this week have been pretty tame. There’s not much to hate about the Falcons, but I’m still looking very forward to smashing them.

It’s a truly formidable test for the Patriots defense. This was supposed to be a culmination year, when all the great drafting on the defensive side of the ball since 2012 really paid off. And in a roundabout way, it still might be.

Plenty of Boston media jackasses who would love nothing more than to see the Patriots’ defense collapse so they can spend all offseason saying “toldya!”… I don’t believe the defense will let us down like that.

If they shut down this Falcons attack all that talk will be put to rest forever, along with countless other horrible takes and doubts. Unless Brady goes ham and then it doesn’t really matter how the defense plays. Because barring a couple weird turnovers, the Patriots offense should have their way with the Falcons’ defense.

I haven’t researched an opponent more in-depth than I have with the Falcons these last two weeks, and, as BB would say, the hay is in the barn. Let’s break it down in the final gameplan of the 2016 season!

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Best/Worst in Weekly Patriots Links-2/4 (Super Bowl 51)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLCc9CPIip8

Forgive them, Tom, because they know not what they do.

That is the guy the NFL framed and vilified. That guy right there. Can you imagine how much hate he might elicit if he was actually the monster everyone seems to think he is? I don’t know if I could. I also don’t know if I can quantify in words his mental toughness. As frustrated and exasperated as he must have been with his name and image dragged through the mud over the last two seasons by vindictive owners and an empty suit commissioner, we found out this week he had more important things on his mind: the health of his mother.

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Can the Pats Copy the Eagles Defensive Plan vs. Falcons?

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One game in my Falcons’ film study that has stuck out was their 24-15 loss to the Eagles in mid-November. The Falcons put up a season-low 303 yards of offense with just 48 yards rushing.

It’s important not to take one game, especially their worst of the season, and take it as proof-positive their offense can be easily stopped. The Patriots have had plenty of outliers over the years that were extrapolated as “The Blueprint” to beat the Patriots.

Still, there’s plenty of analyze in terms of the Eagles schemes and coverages that gave the Falcons problems.

Here’s what stood out to me and what I think the Patriots are well-equipped to reproduce.

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Report: Browns Interested in Jimmy G

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Sources say the Browns’ interest in Garoppolo is real and that they’ll try to trade for him depending on how their draft evaluations go over the next five weeks or so. If the Browns decide to draft Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson in the first round, they’ll be much less likely to pursue the Patriots’ backup — but wouldn’t rule it out.

But they’ll have competition for Garoppolo that will drive up the price. Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan liked him coming out of the draft, and might pursue a deal once he formally becomes the 49ers’ head coach.

The 49ers have the No. 2 pick in the draft, and are also looking for a quarterback.

But the Browns are intrigued, sources say, and they’ll strongly consider it. The cost could be the No. 12 overall pick and more.

Source: Mary Kay Cabot/Cleveland.com

As expected, teams are going to line up to get a shot at Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, with the Cleveland Browns leading the way. The Browns have two first round picks and two second round picks, so they have the ammo that the Pats will likely require to part ways with the talented Tom Brady apprentice.

I wrote this a couple months ago, and I haven’t really changed my tune. I know Brady has looked as good as ever this season but the end can come quickly and this is one position you shouldn’t mess around with. You have a player in-house and under contract for another season that can step in and win football games.

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Super Bowl LI Scouting Report: The Atlanta Falcons

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Here’s everything you need to know about The Atlanta Falcons, aka “The Last Ones Standing”

New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons

Sunday February 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston Texas

6:30 pm EST, FOX

Dome Stadium
Opponent/Patriots Stats:

Falcons: 11-5 (2-0)

Common Opponents:

  • Denver Broncos (Both teams won)
  • Seattle Seahawks (Both teams lost in regular season, Atlanta won in Wild Card Round)
  • Arizona Cardinals (Both teams won)
  • L.A. Rams (Both teams won)
  • San Fransisco 49ers (Both teams won)

History: These teams are not common enemies. As Marcellus Bennett pointed out, Patriots natural predator is the Red Coat, not the Falcon. The last time the teams met, Aqib Talib was balling for the Pats in 2013. The teams have only met 13 times since 1972, making them some of the most unfamiliar opponents New England has had in a while. Patriots lead the series 7-6, and winners of the last 4 meetings, with only one them being played at Gillette Stadium. As of late, the Pats have owned the Falcons, but that’s kinda true about the Pats versus everyone and the Falcons are different this year so read into that what you will.

[table id=19 /]

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