An Independent Patriots Blog
Brady and Belichick are 18-7 in the playoffs together entering Sunday’s game, which is their 11th trip to the postseason in the past 13 years. The other three head coaches who will be working in the final four this weekend – Denver’s John Fox, Seattle’s Pete Carroll and San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh – are a combined 16-11 in the NFL postseason, with 14 playoff berths.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/brady-and-belichick-are-18-7-in-the-playoffs/
@DeRoyDesigns makes supersweet Boston sports art. His #AFCChampionship poster has us Christmas Eve excited
https://www.patspropaganda.com/lolpats-deroydesigns-makes-supersweet-boston/
The Broncos are much more susceptible to the pass (ranked 21st by Football Outsiders), and now are playing without their best pass rusher, Von Miller, and a valuable cornerback in Chris Harris. When Harris was injured against the Chargers, quarterback Philip Rivers got hot and brought San Diego back in the game. Quentin Jammer struggled as a replacement. Jammer, rookie Kayvon Webster or Tony Carter are all options that Brady could look to target. And in each of their past three victories, the Patriots got out to big halftime leads, which are more conducive to running: 17-0 (Baltimore), 16-3 (Buffalo) and 21-7 (Indianapolis). The Patriots also played the Bills and Colts in the rain, when it’s harder to throw the ball, making the run seemed like a logical option. The forecast for Sunday in Denver: around 50 degrees and little wind, which could make both teams eager to throw the ball.
New England Patriots riding ground game led by LeGarrette Blount | The MMQB with Peter King
Everyone’s in love with the running game now, and for good reason, but the Broncos defense certainly cries out to be passed on. I think the Pats will be balanced and if they can get a lead, then they can hammer it home with the running game. Big key will be if Aaron Dobson can play to help draw some coverage on the outside.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-broncos-are-much-more-susceptible-to-the-pass/
» Legarette Blount Shirts Now On Sale Barstool Sports: Boston
Well, the NFL came after me for selling t-shirts but I guess Barstool has a pass or Pres refuses to comply with them (in which case bravo!).
Check out their Blount tees and this GIF that I can’t stop laughing at…
Disguising is certainly a big part of the game and is important, but it’s not as important as playing what you have called is. “If you can’t play what you have, then it doesn’t matter if you disguise it or not, it’s probably not going to be very good, but that’s the issue, they don’t make it easy for you as much as you want to disguise, sometimes they put you in a bind.”
More coming on this on Thursday in my B/R-ticle, but it seemed like the Pats pretty much played the Broncos straight up defensively the first time, mostly in Cover 1 Robber, or Cover 2 Man.
This allowed them to send some blitzes in the second half but the Broncos also adjusted by running more man-beating plays with crossing routes and rubs.
Overall the Pats just haven’t had this kind of man defense capability across the board ever. There are ways to beat man defense, but it makes it more about winning matchups for the wide receivers than when you’re in zone and you’re hoping Peyton Manning makes the wrong read or a bad throw.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/disguising-is-certainly-a-big-part-of-the-game-and/
The Jets (’10), Giants (’11) and Ravens (’12) played their base defense a total of 14 of 195 total snaps (7.2 percent) when they held the Patriots to 21 (garbage-time touchdown included), 17 and 13 points, respectively. The rest was nickel or dime defense with extra defensive backs. Basically, the defenses dared the Patriots to forego their passing attack and run the ball. The Patriots attempted to run the ball, but couldn’t do it effectively enough to pull the defenses out of playing coverage.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-jets-10-giants-11-and-ravens-12/
