PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

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WIN TWO TICKETS TO PATS-EAGLES!

I’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to this Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Eagles courtesy of our partnership with @NRGEnergy!

In the past I’ve run caption contests, Pats fans posing in their best Pats swag and tailgate surprise giveaways but this week it’s all about Rob Gronkowski.

We nearly lost Gronk for the season last weekend. Pats fans all came to depressed acceptance that the Super Bowl was now likely out of reach as the big tight end writhed in pain on a field of light snow.

But in a shocking twist, there’s great injury news! Gronk’s season is not done. The Gronk is alive!!!!

So for the tickets I want something as Gronk-y as you can make it. Tweet me Pics, videos, Memes, GIFs, selfies…anything that will make me laugh! 

How you felt when Gronk went down. What about when you heard he was gonna be okay? What can you Gronk Spike? Send me something Gronkin’ hilarious!

Entry Tweet Rules

1. Follow @nrgenergy on twitter.

2. Include: @PatsPropaganda #FanEnergy in the tweet.

3. Tweet the Gronkiest thing you can think of.

Finalists will be picked Wednesday 6pm EST. Voting ends 12pm EST Thursday. Good luck to all!

https://www.patspropaganda.com/win-two-tickets-to-pats-eagles-ive-got-a-pair-of/

Pats Posits: Tuesday Edition

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I continue to try and wrap my head around this season, as it’s a script we haven’t seen before. Usually a Patriots season goes one of two ways – they lose a couple games along the way but figure it all out by January for a Super Bowl run, or injuries decimate their chances and they either just miss the playoffs or get beat by a more healthy team. Usually one of these or a combination of sorts.

This year however they raced out to a 10-0 start, losing significant players nearly every week in October and November. Now, they have a one game lead for the top AFC seed, but it’s up to a cast of fill-ins to get them to the playoffs at which time they’re expected to suddenly be back at (almost) full health.

I guess we have to call it the year of non-season-ending injuries.

But as I touched upon in Monday’s Posits, Dion Lewis still truly hurts and the Pats overall lack of a run game since he went down could ultimately be their undoing. 

Simply put, they aren’t winning on first and second down with the ground game and the result is more and more third and longs. In eight games with Lewis, the Pats had 35 3rd downs that were eight yards or longer. In just three games since he went down they’ve had 18. Their yards-per-rushing-attempt on first and second down have dropped from 4.07 to 3.13.

Now the running game’s importance can be minimized to a degree, but as we saw last night, it certainly hurts when you can’t run the clock out. Again, I think they should consider a street free agent who gets out of the backfield quickly, unlike Blount who takes time to build momentum and speed.

But if Gronk/Edelman/Amendola are back for the playoffs and the offensive line settles into a rhythm, they’ll be so much better than what we’re seeing on the field now.

Defense

Still so annoyed with the defense not putting the clamps down against Brock Osweiler at the end of the game. Just when I was reaching a comfort zone with the defense they give up 17 points in the fourth quarter and then, the cherry on top, giving up a 48-yard rushing walkoff TD on a 3rd-and-1 when a stop would’ve given Brady another shot at the win.

Maybe if this was 2010 or 2011 we’d just chalk it up to the fact that there was no talent on our defense. They couldn’t get by without turnovers, but this defense’s only excuse is that Dont’a Hightower went out in the second quarter.

I know the run defense suffered without him, but they still forced four three-and-outs in the second half.

Once they started having success with the run they started having big play success. The 36-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas and the 39 yarder to Emmanuel Sanders on the Broncos final drive of regulation to take the lead were killers and set back all the good work they did against the pass all game until that point.

The Patriots had this game and let it get away despite everything, which is why they’ll be in the mix down to the end for the Super Bowl. Once again all that really mattered was which team made the final play. That’s pretty much always what it comes down to and regardless of everything else, this year will be no different.

Pats Posits: Oh My Gronk, We’re Not Going Undefeated!

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Between this game and the one against the Giants a couple weeks ago, I’m pretty sure this Patriots regular season is going to put me into an early grave. 

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the Broncos game and it’s long been over. Obviously the Rob Gronkowski “injury” was a dark moment and I am still in shock that the early reports are that he’ll only be out a week, maybe.

In those moments as Gronk writhed in pain, all Patriots fans went through the same thought – “welp there goes our Super Bowl hopes”. In the moment that was a legitimate thing to believe, but even if Gronk was done for the year I wouldn’t totally rule the Patriots out given the state of the NFL this year. Not with Tom Brady still throwing. And not with our first legitimate defense since 2007.

I’ve never experienced a season like this one, which is refreshing in some ways. The Patriots will still in theory have all their major parts back (except Dion Lewis) for the playoffs. Can they all instantly click to win three games? That’s the question to ponder now.

No matter how many silver linings we spin, this loss still hurts. The Hightower injury – being reported as an MCL sprain – is significant. And the OPI calls on Gronkowski, that seem meant to single him out purposefully, are troubling.

Plenty else to digest, here are the belated Pats Posits…

– A favorite saying of mine is that you can’t truly appreciate a win until you’ve completely accepted that you’re probably not going to win. Super Bowl 49 was the greatest example of that, and now I’ve got the same feeling on a player basis with Gronk.

– We all accepted he was done for the year, that there was finally an injury that would really, really hurt, but now alas, Gronk will be back. Perhaps this is what we needed to break the weekly injury string. Perhaps.

– A brief bit on the penalties and then I’m done complaining about them. I’m not usually one to complain too much about calls but last night’s were just too egregious to ignore. The Chung PI was marginal at best, but I can live with it. I’ve been living with marginal PI calls forever as most of the NFL has. But the Gronk OPI is a disconcerting trend because it seems like he’s being targeted unfairly. The Pats have no choice but to keep playing and make them call it 100 times, because once you tell Gronk to avoid contact at the top of his stem he’s going to play tentative. I just pray to the Football Gods it’s not a Gronk OPI call in the playoffs that does us in because that will set me on fire.

– Rob Gronkowski was walking seemingly fine and the initial reports are that it is not serious but I still wouldn’t mind giving Chandler a game to play a lot. I know he’s had issues with drops but I think he might be the kind of player who benefits from being a central focus for a game or two. We saw it on the game-tying drive when he had a couple big catches. If we can break him out of the funk, get Gronk fully healthy, they could finally live up to their “Twin Towers” expectation.

– I have to say it was an impressive game-tying drive after seeing Gronk go down. You just had to know they were going to be shell shocked after that. Still Brady rallied them down the field and that is incredibly promising for the core of this team that will need to take them to the Super Bowl, especially the offensive line and Brady. That is the Patriots heart we’re used to seeing in the face of adversity.

– Some are probably killing the defense today, but it was pretty simple that once Hightower went down and Chris Harper fumbled the table was perfectly set for the Broncos comeback. I’d like to think Hightower was that critical to the run defense being so good in recent weeks, but it certainly looks that way.  Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com pointed out that with Hightower in the game, the Broncos had 15 rushes for 43 yards. After Hightower went down, they had 17 carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

– The end of course ruined what was really an exciting defensive performance until the wheels fell off. Logan Ryan was superb for most of the game as was Malcolm Butler until the end. It shouldn’t have gotten to that point, but I remain confident that with Hightower and Collins back in the lineup this is a championship calibre defense.

– The Broncos made the plays (and got the calls) but they really don’t scare me much down the road. The only focus now is staying ahead of the Bengals because the Broncos have another loss or likely two in them. The Bengals have had great injury luck this year and I still think that’s the AFC Championship game no matter what.

– If there’s something to worry about it’s the running game. Blount can’t get going on his own. White and Bolden can’t make anyone miss. Every game since Lewis went down has been ugly and I would advocate adding someone who can get through the line quickly. Not sure if that player is out there. But what’s distressing is that no one knew Lewis would be that good, and plenty of us thought Blount and White WOULD be the lead backs. So if there was a place that should’ve been a little further addressed this offseason it should’ve been running back. Or at least not cutting Jonas Gray? 

– Vollmer to LT and Cannon back to RT worked well but I thought it was Josh Kline’s worst game and some pressure up the gut hurt a few times. So now that Stork is back at center and we’re coming down the stretch I’d like to see a set line that we stick with. Just figure out the Mason-Kline-Jackson of it all at guard and then roll with it.

– If Gronk and Hightower are back sooner than later this was a good loss. Why? Because the pressure of being undefeated is off and let’s face it, this team isn’t a 16-0 team nor should we care or want them to be. Second, this was a loss that pissed off Brady and Belichick and that always locks . This is the kind of loss the 2007 Patriots could’ve used. Nothing was really exposed about these Patriots that we didn’t already know. Yeah, their run defense went down the tubes after Hightower went out, that’s troubling but not surprising. And really, given the emotion of the end of the game after Gronk, I can’t say I was shocked they laid a turd defensively after it. Those will be plays to look at closer on the rewatch, but I still feel pretty confident about the Pats’ chances of getting to the Super Bowl. It’s just going to be a matter of whether or not Brady can pick things up at an elite level with Edelman/Amendola/Gronk after potentially not playing with them for a while.

New England Patriots Gameplan: Week 12 at Denver Broncos

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How quickly the dynamics of this game have changed. Instead of another Tom Brady
– Peyton Manning duel we’re getting a defensive battle that could see the over/under remain below 40.

Regardless of who is or isn’t playing, this is an important game in the AFC and if the Pats are without Danny Amendola
, they’re going to have to find a way to move the ball on a very stout defense that has all the pieces necessary to stop them.

But the Patriots’ defense are no slouches either and they should give Brock Osweiler plenty of problems in his second start, even if the Pats are still without Jamie Collins , as expected.

The Patriots have had their struggles in Denver, winning there just once (2011) since Tom Brady lost his first playoff game there in January of 2006.

What do the Pats need to do to get to 11-0 and put a tight grip on the top seed in the conference? Here’s my gameplan…

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Offensive Gameplan

The entire offensive gameplan really hinges on Danny Amendola’s availability, and if he can’t go things are going to be a little scary against a defense with as much talent as we’ve faced.

But here’s the thing, in three games since 2007 Brady has thrown for 1028 yards, 12 touchdowns and 0 interceptions against Wade Phillips (’07 HC Cowboys, ‘12 DC Texans (x 2)). And none of those teams were exactly pushovers. So it would seem Brady has a pretty good handle on Phillips’ scheme.

Replicating that kind of execution with Chris Harper as the primary chain mover might be a little tough and that illustrates the bigger problem – the Broncos man coverage. The hardest skill for a wide receiver is beating man coverage before the pass rush gets to the quarterback. Can the Pats’ receivers defeat Talib/Harris? They’re gonna need Amendola.

My gameplan offensively is simple and the big piece is giving James White a chance to start. Don’t run Blount into the teeth of the defense right out of the gate. Spread them out and try to establish the quick man-beating passing game. Don’t completely ignore the run, but let White run some screens and draws before moving to any power game with Blount.

Someone will have to step up this week with or without Amendola. White, Brandon Bolden, Aaron Dobson and LaFell all came through in key spots against the Bills (and Harper would’ve too if not for a Cannon penalty). They’ll need more of those plays from the secondary weapons. If Scott Chandler’s ever going to have a big game, now might be the time.

But really it all feeds into the offensive line. They should be better this week. Phillips won’t run the same kind of deception Rex did (though he would if he was smart), so they should have an easier time picking up the pass rushers. Still, those are some good pass rushers, even without Demarcus Ware, but this week it will be more physical than mental and usually the Pats offensive line are good in games like that.

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Defensive Gamplan

It was fun watching a great cornerback like Darrelle Revis last year and Brandon Browner brought great physicality, but this is a better defense this year and I enjoy watching them far more now.

It goes back to the early and mid-2000′s when we knew the Patriots had the baddest defense on the block. On every big moment in the game you just knew someone would come through with a play and more often than not they did.

Now it’s starting to feel the same way. It’s not all about Ninkovich and Chandler Jones. There’s so much talent and depth, and with the rotation they’re able to keep guys fresh. Dominique Easley, Jabaal Sheard and Malcom Brown are causing chaos up front and it’s been so long since the Patriots have had that.

Now Brock Osweiler plays directly into what the Patriots defense does best – get after the quarterback. No longer does Bill Belichick have to rely on disguising coverage as much against a young quarterback. Now he can show it’s man defense and simply challenge the quarterback to get through his reads to find who can get open before the pass rush gets to him. This isn’t easy against the Pats’ front four now.

There’s no question the Broncos have playmakers who can beat man coverage, so the Pats will likely live or die on their pass rush in this one. But they don’t have to worry as much about containing Osweiler, they can just attack. I like that formula.

Though Malcolm Butler covered Emmanuel Sanders last year and did it well, I think he likely goes to Demaryius Thomas now, with Logan Ryan on Sanders (assuming he plays after sitting out last week).

Otherwise, I like the Patriots’ chances of shutting down the run and putting the game in Osweiler’s hands. The Pats are as stout against the run as I can ever remember, and unless they have their first bad game since September, they should give Brady and the offense a chance to win the game no matter how few points they put up.

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Five Points of Emphasis

1. WRs Win Quick: Best way to attack man coverage and minimize the impact of your pass protection? Get the ball out quick with your wide receivers winning off the line of scrimmage. This is easier said than done, especially against perhaps the best secondary in the NFL. But sitting back on long-developing routes, forcing the pass protection to stop the Denver front for extended time, is not the route to victory in this one.

2. Unleash James White: White hasn’t been asked to do much in two games since Dion Lewis went down, but has done well and come through in some big spots in a limited role. Now why not just throw him into the fire? Start the game with him. See what he can do in a bigger role. He has to be confident coming off two touchdowns against the Bills.  Now is the time to start making him a bigger part of the offense, a part they’re really going to need in January.

3. Unleash the Pass Rush: Just what exactly is the ceiling of this Patriots pass rush with everyone healthy and clicking? We still haven’t seen it and won’t until Jamie Collins is back, but they looked like a really solid NFL defense in recent weeks. I truly believe the defense can (and will likely have to) win this game for the Patriots, even more so than last week against the Bills. Attack Osweiler. Force mistakes. Don’t let them have the time for the deep throws to Thomas and Sanders. That’s the formula. Once they get Collins back, look out. 

4. Win First Down: So many of the Patriots offensive struggles against the Bills were because they struggled on first down and usually ended up in third-and-longs. This week they must find a way to consistently get five yards on first down instead of two. Staying on time with the offense will keep Denver from their comfort zone with long yardage third downs.

5. Win: Yes, the Pats could clinch their division this week, but there’s still a lot to work out before the playoff run. What matters most is getting the top seed and a win in Denver would be a huge tie breaker to hold. They very well might have to play this team again, and perhaps next time they’ll have some version of Peyton Manning. It’s far better to know a potential playoff game would be in Foxboro.

Prediction: Patriots 17, Broncos 14

Wednesday Pats Posits: Some left off tidbits

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Decent news yesterday afternoon that Danny Amendola only has a knee sprain and won’t miss “significant” time, but after Jabaal Sheard and Marcus Cannon’s “minor” injuries that kept them out for more than a month, I’m not counting on having Amendola back for at least the next two, maybe more. This should be fascinating to watch unfold as BB scrambles to put together a competent passing offense on the fly with LaFell, Harper and hopefully Keyshawn Martin.

I had really hoped to see more out of Scott Chandler this year. Not sure what the issue is but he’s not much of a factor and I think I”m done waiting for his breakout game. They sure could use him in Denver but I won’t hold my breath.

What a difference Easley and Sheard are making on this defense. Finally it’s a diverse pass rush that can consistently win and it leaves me scratching my head wondering why it took this long? Why were we running Chandler Jones and Ninkovich into the ground from 2012-2014? 

Easley is so disruptive, he really is the player I’ve been dreaming about since I started blogging Pats. We all just though “oh, his explosive get-off will be huge for pass rush”, but really it’s great at blowing up runs too.

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think not having Wilfork anymore is a tiny blessing as well in the pass rush department. The rotation of tackles is so effective and versatile.

And what about Malcom Brown. He’s not getting much heat for rookie of the year, but he’s been better than I had hoped he’d be this year. He’s already their best defensive tackle on early downs. He and Easley are cornerstones in their respective roles, both vital.

Dane Fletcher and Chris Jones will not be activated this year and it’s not totally surprising given that injuries haven’t hit too hard at DL and LB. With Mayo rounding into form it takes some of the need I perceived for Fletcher. We’ll see them next summer.

This is such a strange year considering the way this team will limp to the finish line likely with a bye, then (hopefully) get their best receiver back for the playoffs. If Brady can develop chemistry with just one other guy – Harper/Chandler/Martin – it will only make them that much stronger in the playoffs.

I changed my mind yesterday. I don’t think Belichick will force the issue of going undefeated if they hit 14 or 15 wins. This team is just too banged up and already on the edge. With the early bye and some assured dogfights coming up they’ll need rest far more than another meaningless perfect regular season.

Pats Posits: We Escape Rex Once Again

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I know it’s fun to crap on Rex Ryan but once again he showed why he’s the only coach who has consistently given Tom Brady
a tough time. He always seems to fall just short in the end, but he knows how to slow down New England’s offense. It also helps when Julian Edelman’s not there.

I’d just like to go one week with an important piece limping to the sideline or getting checked out on the bench. 

Now we’re at double digit wins without a loss. In 2007, I was so intrigued by 16-0 because it really looked like no one could stop the Pats until early December, and the only siginificant injury loss was Rosevelt Colvin
.

Imagine that team without Welker, Faulk, Light and Bruschi. 

So this time around at 10-0 I’m just hoping we can lock up the top seed asap and get healthy in the right spots at the right time. But make no mistake, these final six games will be a total grind, every single one of them.

Let us dive into a very Thanksgiving-y Posits…

Defense Wins Championships

This was the most comfortable seven-point final-drive lead I’ve experienced since the mid-2000′s. If this was 2010-2013 Patriots defense we were going to overtime. 

Say what you will about the injuries this year, but what we’ve still got is Tom Brady and a pass-rushing, run-stopping defense. Those are the two biggest ingredients for a Super Bowl winning team. 

The defense held the Bills to 3-of-15 on third down. Five three-and-outs. Seven punts. Under 100 yards rushing for the fifth-straight weeks. Don’t look now people but we have a defense.

Brady Toughing It Out

The protection was terrible at times, with the line (and Brady) were confused about who was coming or going. As Jon Gruden pointed out in his only correct statement of the night, the Bills played a lot of zone and were spinning the dial as hard as Rex could spin it. Edelman out. Amendola down. Brady just hung in there and willed the team to win. 

LaFell Down the Depth Chart?

Strange to see LaFell not starting and only getting significant reps once Dobson and Amendola both went down. Something strange there and I’d bet there’s some digging by the beat crew. I don’t want to speculate but either his foot (or something else) isn’t right or it’s disciplinary. Can’t imagine any world where Dobson (who was suddenly on the injury report Monday morning with a back injury before leaving the game not being able to walk on his ankle) is suddenly ahead of LaFell on the game day depth chart. We’ll see, but obviously we need him more than ever if Amendola’s out for any length of time.

Wilson at Linebacker

Curious to see in film review how the Pats used Tavon Wilson, who suddenly appeared after being MIA through nine games. My guess is that Chung took over the slot spot over Melvin (smart), so the trickle down was who played the box safety spot (which has been essentially a linebacker role). He flashed in a couple different instances, reminding me that if Chung was just a better fit in this spot, maybe Wilson might be too. Something to monitor because he’s got a little more size and thump than Chung. The Cardinals have been using safety Deon Bucanon at a linebacker spot with great success. This is where the game is headed.

Mayo at OLB

I’ve been critical of Mayo but I thought this was his best game of the season. Not that he played a ton, but he finally made an impact on the game with some big stops. They shifted him to outside linebacker it appeared at times. Something to take a closer look at. But Mayo made plays and that bodes well coming down the stretch with Collins poised to come back.

Blount can’t get going

I always liked Blount with someone like Ridley in front of him. Even Dion Lewis seemed to soften up defenses just enough for him. But this just playing him as the lead back style has not looked good. Unfortunately there’s not another option really. Hopefully he shows he can get going in Denver, but remember in 2013 when Blount ran roughshod over the Colts and then did zippo in the AFC Championship in Denver? I hope this doesn’t make us one dimensional because teams can go with light (pass-stopping) boxes.

Free James White

The feel good takeaway from this one (besides the defense) has to be James White’s two touchdowns. Again, White wasn’t a huge part of the gameplan, but he came through in a couple spots. He’s not electric like Dion Lewis, but he can make defenders miss. That’s more than I can say for Bolden. Hopefully White continues to see more touches as he and the coaching staff gain confidence. 

Hello Chris Harper

It’s a shame Harper’s first catch had to be negated by a Marcus Cannon penalty. It was a spectacular play, while Harper also did job fighting (though losing) for the ball on the gross Brady interception.  Now if Amendola is out he’s going to have a monumental opportunity to step into a role that many seem to think is “plug-and-play”.

Little Things

What’s the difference between the Patriots and the other 31 teams? It was on display last night, as it usually is against Rex Ryan. They are simply all on then same page. They are sound in all facets and they will not beat themselves. The faces have changed over the years but that’s the Belichick aspect that has not. Everybody knows the situation and exactly what to do. The line is thin between winning and losing, but the Patriots are consistently so solid and clean with their football it almost always puts them on top. That’s really what it comes down to.

DL

Have to give a tip of the cap to the defensive line and linebackers. Easley, Brown, Branch, Hightower, Nink and Chandler right down the line played fast and aggressive. It was fun to watch and something I feel like I’ve been waiting a decade for again.

Malcolm Butler

Butler took Sammy Watkins out of the game, just like he took Odell Beckham out of the last game. It’s clear that Bill Belichick was keeping the best cornerback on the roster last year, and at 1/32nd the cost of Darrelle Revis. 

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We didn’t even know how good of a left tackle Marcus Cannon was while we were all waiting for him to get over his supposedly minor toe injury. Well he didn’t look too good there last night, with multiple penalties and blown blocks. Honestly Cameron Fleming looked better there than Canon did. Maybe he was just “rusty”, or maybe it’s time to look at Fleming (or Vollmer) at LT. 

Brady- Manning Osweiler

Now that next Sunday’s game isn’t a Brady – Manning one, it’s taken a different gleam. I like our defense over their offense, but this will be Brady’s hardest test of whatever meaningful regular season games are left. If we roll into Denver with Harper and LaFell starting we could struggle to move the ball. Badly. But we know what kind of fight this team has so it should be a battle.