Luke Skywelker

If there is anything we've learned, the analysts have learned, my cat has learned, the only way to truly neutralize Tom Brady is by sicking the dogs on him, getting in his face and making him anxious, in particular if you can do it up the middle. It's a game changer and it has to start early, otherwise TB will pick apart just about anyone. In the 2009 playoff game with Balt, that pressure lead to 3 sacks, 3 Brady INTs and 1 Brady lost fumble. Clearly that can't happen in this game. One common themes after our last 3 playoff losses is a lot of MF'ing of the Oline afterwards.

So this begs the question, is this NE team built to stop the Balt pass rush? Who has to perform, what strategies are employed and is this Oline ready/built to stop?

Baltimore is essentially 3rd in the NFL in team sacks at 48, so clearly a big part of their defensive repertoire. TSuggs is the leader on that team with 14. Although this Baltimore team had no sacks last week against a much less stealth OLine and Suggs has had only 1 sack in his last 4 games(age?). The next two on their sack leaders list come off the Dline in Ngata and McPhee.


And for those analysts out there that do like to use that 2009 game as ammo to say that Baltimore is going to win this one, look at this measly crew:

Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
T. Brady 23/42 154 2 3

Rushing ATT YDS TD LG
K. Faulk 14 52 0 9
S. Morris 1 9 0 9
L. Maroney 1 2 0 2
F. Taylor 2 1 0 2

Receiving REC YDS TD LG
R. Moss 5 48 0 19
J. Edelman 6 44 2 24
K. Faulk 6 37 0 18
S. Morris 3 15 0 8
S. Aiken 1 5 0 5
B. Watson 1 3 0 3
C. Baker 1 2 0 2

If Julian Edelman is basically our leading receiver and Kevin Faulk our leading rusher - can we really use this as any kind of benchmark whatsoever?

tatepatsfan

In my opinion, the facts that we have our two astoundingly good TE's and now possess a functional running game should greatly improve our pass protection. Solder and Vollmer (if he goes) weren't here two years ago. Waters is probably an upgrade over Neal. Also very important, we didn't have Welker in that game.

In my opinion, and I think many share it, the key for the Ravens is exactly what you've highlighted - getting to Brady early and often. I think we can limit this with an effective use of quick plays to the outside, whether they be throws or runs. Also, not on every play of course, but they'll probably use Faulk a bit since he's such a good blocker, and will probably at least have Gronk and Hernandez chip the OLBs before they run their routes.

condon84

Go no-huddle from the get-go and spread them out. What I've noticed is the faster the pace our offense go, the less effective the pass rush gets from defenses. Don't let the defense settle in.

randomk1

This. I feel like the no-huddle has been our bread and butter all year. Defenses really don't have an answer.

__________________
Three out of Four. Back-to-back.

Ivan

1) Brady correctly seeing what the Ravens are going to do and making pre snap reads to counter it.

2) Run the ball. Regardless of how effective it is early they have to punch the ravens in the mouth and that cannot be done in pass protection on every down. The Ravens are a good defense but they can be run on if a team sticks with it, and you have to run to keep them somewhat honest.

3) Great play from the OL. I think this is the best OL they have fielded during the Brady years. Solder is better in pass protection than Vollmer and Waters is a great OG, and a significant upgrade over neal, who was beat to death his last few years. Koppen is a better C than Connolly or wendell but he always struggled against the huge OL and that's Baltimore in particular. Mankins is the best and Light has had his best year in many. i love this group.

4) Using the TE's to force the LB's to cover and stick it to them when they choose to blitz.

sarge

+10 on the no huddle.

It atleast appears to me( not sure if the stats would back this up) that Brady certainly comes under more pressure when they go ball control.

Atleast for the eye test, this offense seems to move significantly better in the hurry up/no huddle then they do when they go ball control.

Don't give them a chance to breath.

BelichickFan

In addition to what's been said, playing at Gillette would seem to help.

Suggs, Ngata, Redding have combined for 18 sacks at home and 6 on the road.

Maybe they just weren't up for the road games and they will be in the playoffs. Or maybe the crowd noise helps. Regardless, their sack totals are noticeably different at home vs. on the road.

Marqui

Maybe this year because Vollmer was gimpy but not last year. Last year Vollmer shut down a lot of good pass rushers and was a 2nd team All-pro.

wistahpatsfan

I'm neither impressed nor worried about this defense... or ours. I think it will be our defense that causes the problems this time. The combination of the no-huddle and the quick-outlet threats Brady has will have the Ravens holding their knees by the end of the first quarter. By then, there should be a 21-point lead built. Keep it up in the second quarter, and it's game over by the half. This team is not as good as they or ESPN dorks pretend they are. Everyone's enamored by Lewis' antics and "crazy guy" voice. They couldn't even get to a rookie QB behind an OK O-line and were lucky throughout that game with stupid turnovers the Texans gave them.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

The Brandon Five

Jacoby Jones was MVP of that game. He might be the dumbest player in football.