So there have been reports kicking around today, and Pete Sheppard (who is slowly working his way into my rotation of Pats media) played itron the air, that after 45-3 Bart Scott told a reporter off the air that they knew exactly what to do should the face the Patriots offense again.
That thing being “funnel everything to the middle”. Rex Ryan was asked about this quote and avoided answering it directly which maybe lends some credence to what Scott said.
Who knew that stopping what Football Outsiders standards has as the best offense of the modern era was just that simple. Funnel everything to the middle. Easy, peezy, cover two.
I’m not sure why this was suddenly apparent to the Jets after the game, I guess that in-game adjustment escaped them while the Pats were reigning down touchdowns on them.
Well, it’s my hope to at least help get the word about this out and about, because if it is true I assume BB is already on top of it, but why not spread the word.
In theory I can see how it might make sense given the Pats are now running a “horizontal” attack. If you don’t let receivers catch their slip screens and get outside it seems logical that they wouldn’t have much room to operate running back into the traffic.
Though when I think about that Deion Branch touchdown on fourth down he pretty much ran right through the heart of their defense. But what do I know. I ain’t Mike Mayock (despite how much I wish I was).
Everyone seems pretty assured that this game will be closer than 42 points, but even half that is still is a blow out.
