PatsPropaganda

This is going to be close. It’s going to be hard-hitting. And for those who appreciate the top-level, hard-core competition the NFL has to offer, it should be a treat, the type of contest that could come down to one play. When the margin for error is that thin, the focus must be razor sharp and every little detail in preparation takes on added importance. Here is what it comes down to if you’re a Patriots follower: Given the toughness the team has shown in various situations over the course of the 2011 season, with the defining moment coming Nov. 13 in the Meadowlands against the New York Jets to snap a two-game losing streak with a short-handed roster, what’s not to like about your team in that kind of high-stakes game? There are no givens in the NFL, but one thing that has been close to a certainty this year is that the Patriots are going to give you their best shot and display a championship level of mental toughness. It’s one of their most admirable characteristics.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/this-is-going-to-be-close-its-going-to-be/

As an X’s-and-O’s junkie, the best part of Part 1 was watching Belichick and Brady talk about the upcoming game with the Baltimore Ravens in Belichick’s office. They go over the full offensive game plan and then drill down to one of the main issues faced by any team opposing the Ravens — how to deal with Ed Reed. “I think we know about Ed,” Belichick says. “Ed Reed is Ed Reed,” Brady responds. “He covers up a lot of stuff.” Belichick concurs. “Everything he does, he does at an exceptional level. He looks like he’s guessing more than he ever has. But boy, does he have a burst — he’s crouching down low back there, and playing really low. But he changes it up — you can’t …I mean, it’s just so obvious when he’s reading the quarterback. Those receivers will run right past him, and he never flinches. He doesn’t even acknowledge them. He’s just reading the quarterback.” “He’s always moving,” Brady responds. “Playing against Ed, you’re always so aware of where he is. It’s not like he sneaks up on you — We played him in the rain here five years ago, and every time they break the huddle, he’s what you’re looking at. You’re not saying, ‘OK, let’s just snap the ball and go,’ it’s more like, ‘Where’s he at?’” Brady and Belichick then watch an All-22 cut of San Diego Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson running right by Reed, and Reed refusing to be fooled.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/as-an-xs-and-os-junkie-the-best-part-of-part-1/

Getting a feel for the Ravens defense. This is a unit that finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL against the rush, fourth against the pass, and third in points allowed. They were the league’s second-ranked defense on third down. Against the Texans, though, the unit didn’t apply consistent pressure, and that will be trouble for them if they play the same way against the Patriots. You can get away with that against a rookie quarterback like Yates, but Brady usually will make such an opponent pay. In terms of the strengths of both teams, this sets up a matchup of iron on iron – the Ravens D against the explosive Patriots O.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/getting-a-feel-for-the-ravens-defense-this-is-a/