PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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Bill Belichick seems to deal with returning players only in the context of, if they’re cleared, there’s no restrictions. Recent examples: Rob Gronkowski played 64% of snaps and was targeted 17 times last Sunday in his first meaningful game action in 11 months. In 2011, Kevin Faulk played 39 snaps (67%)—22 more than BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead combined—in his first game action in 14 months after ACL surgery. He missed the next two games and played just 51 snaps the rest of the season, the final of his career. Aaron Hernandez was supposed to miss four-to-six weeks with an MCL sprain in 2011, but missed only two and played 80% of the snaps in his return (basically on one leg). He didn’t miss any more games, but Hernandez wasn’t nearly close to his form until six games later.

Sean Payton and Doug Marrone reunite in Saints-Bills clash on Sunday | The MMQB with Peter King

https://www.patspropaganda.com/bill-belichick-seems-to-deal-with-returning/

Patriots – Dolphins Preview

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The New England Patriots will host the the Miami Dolphins in an early afternoon matchup of AFC East rivals. Both teams are coming into this game with a close loss to the other teams in the division. Miami lost 23-21 to the Buffalo Bills, while the Patriots lost 30-27 against the New York Jets in overtime. The overtime loss might have left a sour taste in some Patriots fans’ mouths as the ticket price for this game has dropped 8% over the last week. Overall, New England Patriots tickets are averaging $371 on the secondary market, which is an 18% increase over the home season average at Gillette Stadium. That $371 average is also a 142% increase over this season’s average for Miami Dolphins tickets on the road. The starting price for tickets is $130, the second highest of all games this week.

The Patriots are 3-0 at home this season, but aren’t the same dominant Patriots who have who have breezed through the AFC East for the past few seasons. With quarterback Tom Brady working with an inexperienced group of receivers, the offense has struggled at times this season. New England is just 20th in pass yards per game and 17th in points per game. Brady is currently one of the worst quarterbacks in completion percentage, a statistic he’s usually at or near the top in each season. The return of tight end Rob Gronkowski last week was certainly a help as Brady targeted him on 17 pass attempts, leading to eight receptions and 114 yards. The Dolphins have struggled defending opposing tight ends this season, which could lead to a big game for Gronkowski in his first home game of the season. Miami has also given up the seventh most passing yards per game to opponents, so if Brady is going to have a vintage Brady type of game, this could be it.
This could be the first game of the season in New England with “football weather.” The forecast expects a high of 52 and low of 32, slightly different than the conditions would be in Miami. With a win, the Patriots could be still be in control of the division even though they are closer to the rest of the pack than they have been in years. Still, The Patriots have not lost to the Dolphins in their past six matchups, a streak New England will try to extend at home on Sunday.


Remember, for the best deals on NFL regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl tickets, visit TiqIQ.com.

Mike D. Note – Thanks to our partners at TiqIQ for the preview!

Receiving redux: Could sluggish passing game cause Patriots to revisit old blueprint? – WEEI | Christopher Price

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Receiving redux: Could sluggish passing game cause Patriots to revisit old blueprint? – WEEI | Christopher Price

Really good perspective from Christopher Price…

In 2006, Brady – who had turned 29 prior to the start of the season – struggled out of the gate as he worked to build a bond with the newcomers. Even though there were some wobbly moments, that team still had a 6-1 record after seven games. There were plenty of growing pains. Through the first seven games that season, Brady complied more than 60 percent of his passes on just two occasions and topped 300 receiving yards on just two occasions. On more than one occasion through the early stages of the 2006 season, the Patriots were saved by an overachieving defense, as New England eked out early wins over the Bills and Jets.

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They’re going to have to run it this week, because I just don’t see them being able to protect Tannehill,” King said. “You talk about what the Patriots are missing, but still, [the Dolphins] have not shown the ability in this season to block the best pass rushers. I think if you’re Rob Ninkovich, you’re looking at this team right now, if you’re Chandler Jones, you’re looking at this team and say, ‘Boy, people have been able to rush the passer.’ Mario Williams [had] two huge plays in the last seven minutes of the game last week.

It Is What It Is » Peter King on M&M: ‘Lot of concern around Miami about their offense’

https://www.patspropaganda.com/theyre-going-to-have-to-run-it-this-week/

Chatham: Tackles play like Fish out of water | Boston Herald

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Chatham: Tackles play like Fish out of water | Boston Herald

If Martin is still at left tackle for this game, Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones should feast on the opportunity to collapse his side of the line without bolting upfield and potentially past the quarterback. This is critical as Tannehill is an underrated scrambler, and breakdowns in pocket integrity that provide escape routes was a big reason Jets quarterback Geno Smith had some success last week against the Patriots.