Kontradiction
On my retirement tour.
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I've been nervous all week before the last two games. Not saying I'm Nostradamus and I could see a loss coming before it happens. Just saying that I was nervous about how we looked against Dallas and how we would look against better defenses in Pittsburgh and the Gints. As it turns out, the offense has had it's up's and down's and has made it's share of uncharacteristic mistakes. This week again, we're going up against a good defense, but this time I'm not as nervous as I was against the Steelers and the Gints. A couple of reasons why...
1. The up and down defense fared very well against the Jets the last time around. We held them to 255 yards and limited them to only 26:00 in TOP. The defense in that game gave up a couple of scores, but the important thing is that they gave the offense the ball back enough times to put points on the board. They also got pressure on Sanchez all game.
2. While it sucks losing Brandon Spikes, as he immediately set a physical tone in the last game by annihilating Ballard, Devin McCourty's play has improved and he's gotten better, by my eye, in man coverage. He seems to be more physical and is all over the field, getting in on a lot of tackles. It's one of the main reasons Eli was having so much trouble in the first half this past Sunday. Couple even more improved play (which I expect from the reigning DROY) with Kyle Arrington's surprising play at RCB, the secondary should improve even more. Unfortunately, the safety play should be something we'll have to live with all year as fans. But improved play at the CB position should somewhat mask that.
3. After a two game losing streak, the Pats should be hungrier for a win than they have been in a very long time, especially dropping one at home for the first time since 2008 (2006 when Brady's under center). Couple that with the fact that they're playing the hated division rival Jets and should go into the game an underdog with all of the talk of how they've never won there since Ryan has been the coach, and the Pats should be pumped up and foaming at the mouth. I fully expect a pissed off, smashmouth attitude out of this team. Anything less than that would be disappointing. Speaking of smashmouth...
4. Even though they had a relatively good game against Buffalo this past week, the Jets' run defense is still an issue. It will most likely be an issue all year long just as our pass defense will most likely be an issue against better teams. The Pats showed last time that they can run the ball down this team's throat and B.O.B. should do so. Going to the air more often than they need to will just put the offense in position to stall. The Jets' secondary is too good to throw anymore than 60% of the game. Give them a good dose of Green-Ellis and Ridley then change it up with Woodhead. This will also set up the play action where we can catch the Jets when they're sitting in the zone, creating big play opportunities for Welker who will otherwise be getting shadowed/interfered with by Revis. 60/40 pass to run ratio is the way to go in this one.
Of course the Jets are going to make adjustments, but we will as well. We know them just as much, if not better, than they know us and have the personnel to match up with them if we play the right game. Ochocinco or Taylor Price breaking out this week would be absolutely huge for this team, but don't hold your breath. Otherwise, I like our chances in this one. There's no way Brady and the offense are going to make these types of mistakes three games in a row.
1. The up and down defense fared very well against the Jets the last time around. We held them to 255 yards and limited them to only 26:00 in TOP. The defense in that game gave up a couple of scores, but the important thing is that they gave the offense the ball back enough times to put points on the board. They also got pressure on Sanchez all game.
2. While it sucks losing Brandon Spikes, as he immediately set a physical tone in the last game by annihilating Ballard, Devin McCourty's play has improved and he's gotten better, by my eye, in man coverage. He seems to be more physical and is all over the field, getting in on a lot of tackles. It's one of the main reasons Eli was having so much trouble in the first half this past Sunday. Couple even more improved play (which I expect from the reigning DROY) with Kyle Arrington's surprising play at RCB, the secondary should improve even more. Unfortunately, the safety play should be something we'll have to live with all year as fans. But improved play at the CB position should somewhat mask that.
3. After a two game losing streak, the Pats should be hungrier for a win than they have been in a very long time, especially dropping one at home for the first time since 2008 (2006 when Brady's under center). Couple that with the fact that they're playing the hated division rival Jets and should go into the game an underdog with all of the talk of how they've never won there since Ryan has been the coach, and the Pats should be pumped up and foaming at the mouth. I fully expect a pissed off, smashmouth attitude out of this team. Anything less than that would be disappointing. Speaking of smashmouth...
4. Even though they had a relatively good game against Buffalo this past week, the Jets' run defense is still an issue. It will most likely be an issue all year long just as our pass defense will most likely be an issue against better teams. The Pats showed last time that they can run the ball down this team's throat and B.O.B. should do so. Going to the air more often than they need to will just put the offense in position to stall. The Jets' secondary is too good to throw anymore than 60% of the game. Give them a good dose of Green-Ellis and Ridley then change it up with Woodhead. This will also set up the play action where we can catch the Jets when they're sitting in the zone, creating big play opportunities for Welker who will otherwise be getting shadowed/interfered with by Revis. 60/40 pass to run ratio is the way to go in this one.
Of course the Jets are going to make adjustments, but we will as well. We know them just as much, if not better, than they know us and have the personnel to match up with them if we play the right game. Ochocinco or Taylor Price breaking out this week would be absolutely huge for this team, but don't hold your breath. Otherwise, I like our chances in this one. There's no way Brady and the offense are going to make these types of mistakes three games in a row.
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