Christopher Price: Upon Further Review, A Look Back At Pats-Bucs

[PatsChamp88]

We were a bit confused as to why the Patriots didn’t run the ball more than they did. Tampa Bay came into the game allowed an average of 172 rushing yards per game, 31st in the league. However, New England’s running game struggled to put together constant yards, but did end up with 107 yards. Another look back at the video reveals that Tampa Bay spent a good chunk of the game stacking the line, bringing safety Sabby Piscitelli down into the box to try and stuff the Patriots run game. So New England tried some different things in an attempt to get some ground yardage, trying to use the Bucs’ tendency to overpursue against them. “The screens, the reverses, the play-actions … kind of anything to get the defense running one way and then bring it the other way with play-action or try to separate the defense, because they’re a very hard-pursuing team,” Belichick said Monday. “They really hustle and they pursue hard to the ball. So when you can get them going one way and screen them or draw them or reverse them or play-action them, we felt like those would be good plays for us.”

Per: It Is What It Is Upon Further Review: A Look Back At Pats-Bucs

Didn't see this posted on here yet but pretty good read, ah how bye weeks seem to be the slowest time of the year....

 

[ALP]

well that answers my main question abotu the game, why we didnt run with a 21-0 lead.....

 

[jmt57]

I too thought for sure the Pats would run all over the Bucs. I haven't re-watched the game but I'll certainly take Chris' word for what Tampa Bay was doing with Sabby P in an attempt to stop the Pats' running game; I guess they assumed that the Patriots' game plan would be to run and that is why they focused on that.

Price brings up a good point about McGowan. Unlike some others I never felt he wouldn't make the roster, but I never figured he would have as big a role as he has had with this defense. The Pats have not had an good answer to Dallas Clark in the Colts' offense since I don't know when; would love to see McGowan limit Clark the way he did Gonzalez in the game against the Falcons. Of course that won't be the last good tight end the Pats face this year; Shockey looked pretty good for the Saints the last game I saw New Orleans play too.

 

[fillylabinga]

Very good article I thought. Thanks for the link. Personally, I like ones like this where someone breaks down the game film in detail and provides some general impressions.

I was surprised myself that the Pats didn't run the ball better against TB since they do seem to be a poor team on run D. It makes some sense that the reason would be that TB was stacking the line (although why a team would do that again Brady is beyond me).

Also interesting to hear that Burgess might be playing better than meets the eye.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Very nice article, Chris! Thanks.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Per: It Is What It Is Upon Further Review: A Look Back At Pats-Bucs

Didn't see this posted on here yet but pretty good read, ah how bye weeks seem to be the slowest time of the year....

The Pats had three runs called back due to penalties. An 11 by Lawfirm; an 11 by Maroney and a 4 by Maroney. Those plays if they stood, would have given the Pats over 130 yards on the ground... Jes' saying.

 

[PatsChamp88]

The Pats had three runs called back due to penalties. An 11 by Lawfirm; an 11 by Maroney and a 4 by Maroney. Those plays if they stood, would have given the Pats over 130 yards on the ground... Jes' saying.

Good point, the penalties are adding up a little bit faster this year 44 so far where as last year we had 57 for the entire season.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Good read. BB had a lot of praise for TBC's play where he broke up a screen pass.

Thanks for posting.