TheBaronPatriot

I would provide over the top help for Chad and TJ
Force the #3 option to beat you over the middle and force/invite them to run the ball. I'd also throw in double teams in situations which the Bengals have shown to favor either receiver... IE 2nd and long, TJ gets the ball 47% of the time, as opposed to Chad who gets it 33% of the time in those situations.

Of course, disguise coverages, while showing blitz is a standard patriots practice which I think will be over-emphasized tonight given the lack of stability of the Bengal's o-line (they rotate 8 o-linemen). A cohesive unit has enough issues trying to block the Pats but this one should have more trouble given a lack of consistent play together and unfamiliarity.

Keeping the offense on the field should also be the #1 focus.
Last year Maroney had his best day on the ground against them which would align with the keep away strategy (127 yards).

This will also help minimize turnovers via INT which their defense is good at getting.

So a pretty standard formula of run, run, run, run, play action to moss.
I also think they will be susceptible to screens/ draws given the nature of a young/fast/undisciplined defense.

What do you guys think?

SVN

iam never a big fan ball control offense theory. IMO that should be the game plan of every game unless you are playing joey harrington or someone, where the defense has a better opportunity to score.
Bottomline..play red zone defense, get off on 3rd down- we have been found wanting on it a lot.
Be aggressive as usual and go for scoring points instead of playing keep away.

Phokus

Considering they have no linebackers, i say just ram it down their throats.

denverpatsfan

Last season the D-line played their best game of the season with regards to putting pressure on the QB. With little blitz help I may add.

That is the key to this game. Not even Champ Bailey can cover CJ if the Bengals line gives Palmer enough time.

That and clock killing drives by the offense.

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Flying Fungi

punch them in the mouth

get after Palmer and knock him down as much as possible--make him hear footsteps and mess with his timing

score fast and score a lot--make them a one-dimentional team trying to play catch up and then tee off

this game shouldn't even be close

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AndyJohnson

I think we just do what we do. This is a mismatch heavily in our favor. They will not be able to stop our offense.

Focussing on the Bengals, they are like many teams in that they are very good when down and distance favors them. They do add the component of being able to make plays in unfavorable situations because of the QB/WR talent.
As always, we need to shut down the run, and out them in long yardage situations. Tackle well. The Bengals big plays typically come on 2nd and 3rd and short, where you need to expect the shorter throw, and cover it, then they double move to get deep. Take away the deep ball, and you control their offense. Tackle well.
How do you take away the deep ball? Stop the run, stay in long yardage down and distance. Tackle well. Play cover rather than blitzing. Tackle well. Pick your spots to bring the blitz, and make it a heavy blitz that forces them to throw short against it. Tackle well. If its 3rd and 10, and you bring heavy pressure, and play soft on the WR, Palmer will hit the quick hot route, and then you just need to tackle. Tackle well.


OK, let me give the shorter version. If we do a good job tackling, they will not score a lot of points. That is the key to defense in this game, tackling. Missed tackles in the run game, sets them up in good down and distance. Missed tackles in the passing game creates yards after the catch. We will play them in front of us for the most part on pass D. It is probably inconsequential if they hit 1 or 2 deep balls, but a big problem if we are missing a lot of tackles.

AndyJohnson

Offensively, I expect us to throw to set up the run. This is a run D that is susceptible to big plays. I think we throw (I do not believe they can cover us, or mount a pass rush on our OL) a lot early. I expect we will use the enitre field, short, deep, intermediate, middle of the field, sidelines, screens (IIRC the Bengal D is ripe for the quick screen to the WR). Spread them out, then give the ball to Maroney who will have plenty of openings.
I would expect a well-conceived, controlled passing game (I'm guessing something like 28-35-310) with the running game getting fewer carries than normal, but getting huge gains, and a big ypc.
Of course, that is basically the first half. The score will dictate whether we continue that in the 2nd, or take the air out of the ball. If the Bengals are scoring points, Bradys #s will be bigger, if we run out to a big lead, they will be less.

theONLYJerseypatsfan

Totally agree with this one, the bengals corners and safeties are gonna wish the stayed in bed tonight when its the 4th quarter and sammy morris is barreling down on them

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Holy Diver

Roll out the gameplan we used in the first superbowl win against the Rams.


1. Hit their receivers
2. Hit the QB
3. Tackle the $h!t out of 'em.

Joker

Just show the Bengals any clips of Worst Quarterbackeverton and the Rats...they'll be laughing so hard they'll crack a bunch of ribs and go I.R. for the night