Passing game the difference today?

[JR4]

It seems both teams running games won't do much today.
So win or lose will be determined in the air.
Brady vs Harrington
In terms of the weapons each QB has I think PATs have the advantage.

Caldwell --- Chambers+
Gaffney --- Booker
Brown+ ----- Welker
Gabriel ---- Hagan
Faulk++ ----- (No one compares here)
Watson --- McMichael
Graham+ --- Peelle

+ = advantage

If PATs Oline, which has been doing better, can protect Brady I think
the PATs Passing attack should win the game.
With Maroney out Faulk could have a big day.

Thoughts?

 

[Jacky Roberts]

Brady is going to get sacked about 5 times today with no running game. Have to go 5 wide and just throw it all over the place today to win. Miami's secondary sucks, but our oline sucks, so it'll be tough. If Brady is healthy at 4pm, Ill be happy.

 

[pats1]

It seems both teams running games won't do much today.
So win or lose will be determined in the air.
Brady vs Harrington
In terms of the weapons each QB has I think PATs have the advantage.

Caldwell --- Chambers+
Gaffney --- Booker
Brown+ ----- Welker
Gabriel ---- Hagan
Faulk++ ----- (No one compares here)
Watson --- McMichael
Graham+ --- Peelle

+ = advantage

If PATs Oline, which has been doing better, can protect Brady I think
the PATs Passing attack should win the game.
With Maroney out Faulk could have a big day.

Thoughts?

I wasn't aware Corey Dillon was no longer on the Pats.

 

[JR4]

I wasn't aware Corey Dillon was no longer on the Pats.

oh yeah ... forgot ... he'll have 100+ yd game against the fins.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I wasn't aware Corey Dillon was no longer on the Pats.

Brady is going to get sacked about 5 times today with no running game. Have to go 5 wide and just throw it all over the place today to win. Miami's secondary sucks, but our oline sucks, so it'll be tough. If Brady is healthy at 4pm, Ill be happy.

I just don't think they want to be giving Dillon the full workload that he and Maroney carried together. But they should be able to create a credible enough ground game to keep some pressure off of Brady.

But even with Maroney in there the OL has still been too pourous for my taste.

So I would fully expect to see a spread - hopefully no huddle/hurry up - offense for much of the game.

The team really needs another game like the Vikings game where we are spread and effective as a tuneup for the playoffs.

As much as I'd like the WRs to show that there's more of a deep threat than just Caldwell, all I really care about between now and the playoffs is the team putting an end to the turnovers. If that doesn't stop its almost assured that this season ends like the last one.

 

[Pats726]

I do think they'll be a surprise on offense..the pasing game should help and getting an early lead.. The pass opening it up for the run..Don't forget, besides Dillon, there is Pass and Evans...I think they both will contribute..
Just think there will be some wrinkle in here that will make it easier than many think..but that is a more heart and speculation..I mean the Pats have always had trouble in Finland...

 

[pats1]

oh yeah ... forgot ... he'll have 100+ yd game against the fins.

But Faulk will?

 

[JR4]

But Faulk will?

Faulk will catch passes.
As you could see from intial post it was about the passing game
and Faulks contribution as receiver. Since when has Dillon been a
significant contributor in the passing game?

 

[pats1]

Faulk will catch passes.
As you could see from intial post it was about the passing game
and Faulks contribution as receiver. Since when has Dillon been a
significant contributor in the passing game?

"It seems both teams' running games won't do much today."

Because Maroney is out? Since when is he the Pats' starting RB? Dillon has more yards and touchdowns than Maroney.

"With Maroney out Faulk should have a big game."

Since Maroney has only accounted for about 7% of the team's passing offense (43% rushing offense) this season, it appears you're implying that Faulk will have a big game because he will replace Maroney's production in the running game.

 

[mcbee]

Dillon used to be effective in screen passing.

Don't know if it's that simple to compare players. If we don't get good pressure on Harrington, then it could be a rough day. If we don't get some running, then we'll have a tough day.

I would hope for alot of quick slants, TE passes etc to keep the pressure off brady.

 

[SVN]

i hope we can get some D turnovers like the last time and not have to travel 70 80 yards for a score...thats the best chance it gives us to win...

 

[BelichickFan]

I expect a lot of passing and a TE to help Light. But, yeah, I see about 15 Dillon carries, 5 Faulk carries, maybe 5 between Pass and Evans and a lot of spread WR to get a good lead then watch Joey try to bring them back :singing:

 

[DarrylS]

With Maroney out, look for a lot of the short passing game(out old running game) to keep the ball in our hands and keep our depleted D off of the field. Not that I fear the Miami O, but we have so many injuries on the D.

 

[JR4]

"It seems both teams' running games won't do much today."

Because Maroney is out? Since when is he the Pats' starting RB? Dillon has more yards and touchdowns than Maroney.

"With Maroney out Faulk should have a big game."

Since Maroney has only accounted for about 7% of the team's passing offense (43% rushing offense) this season, it appears you're implying that Faulk will have a big game because he will replace Maroney's production in the running game.

rewriting it for you
"With Maroney out and thus the running game not expected to be very good, Faulk should have a big game in combined rushing and passing yards"

No, I don't expect the running game will be that great, playing the Fins
and with Maroney out I expect it to be worst than it would be if he were
healthy and playing and bringing as much to the game as Dillon does
while Dillon is resting on the Bench.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

There are many good suggestions here, in this thread, about what we need to do today, primarlly in the pasing game... however, expect McDaniels to do the opposite and try to run into a stone wall. I hope I am wrong.

Good point. I look back to the superbowl teams of the past and they usually had good first drives resulting in scores and then they could be front runners.

Realistically if the Pats had two good drives each halff resulting in tds they'll be fine. Hopefully we'll see some consistency today.

 

[pats1]

rewriting it for you
"With Maroney out and thus the running game not expected to be very good, Faulk should have a big game in combined rushing and passing yards"

No, I don't expect the running game will be that great, playing the Fins
and with Maroney out I expect it to be worst than it would be if he were
healthy and playing and bringing as much to the game as Dillon does
while Dillon is resting on the Bench.

The Dolphins' defense isn't anything special as it was 3-4 years ago.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

The Dolphins' defense isn't anything special as it was 3-4 years ago.

They appeared to stifle the Pats running game the first time around. and please don't say the pats passing game was no good. the patriots insists on runnign powere packages so it seems like they beleive they are a power running team.

 

[JR4]

The Dolphins' defense isn't anything special as it was 3-4 years ago.

I'm not saying PATs will get shut down in their running game but I expect
it to be difficult and around 3.5 yds/carry which is what the fins have been
giving up. If PATs should get over 4yd/carry that would be really great
but I don't expect it. Do you?
Fins have a top 10 or so run D and there are only a few teams allowing
less than 3.5 yds/carry.