What is Your Gameplan for Beating the Colts?

[arrellbee]

I would try a Nickel on D and see how it goes. Replace TBC with Chad Scott. Vrabel goes back outside. The Front Six would have to try to stop the run. Then I have Scott to take Dallas Clark and I can double both Harrison and Wayne.

Offensively I wold run. A lot. I don't think we will but I would. I have extrme confidence we'd get 180 yards running if we ran 40 times. The passing game is still intermittent.

I also think we may see a lot of Nickel. As you point out so well, that addresses the threat of Dallas Clark and makes it very difficult for Manning to pass into the middle of the field. They will probably do a lot of it if the front 6 can keep the run reasonably contained. It will be interesting to see what defensive set the Pats use on 1st downs when the Colts have a long field in front of them. They might use a pretty much standard 3-4-4 - or, it will be interesting to see if they still use a nickel and use a [try to confuse] mixture of run support from Hawkins, Scott, and Sanders - like you, I wouldn't be surprised to see that.

 

[arrellbee]

On offense, misdirection, misdirection, misdirection. Runs that look like passes, passes that look like runs. Screens. Fake the screen and go deep. Flea Flickers, maybe more than one. An end around. Fake the end around and give it up the middle. And if they aren't paying attention early in the play clock, quick snaps to run it right up their gut like vs. the Jets. Everything designed to take the aggression from the defense that keys on speed. Speed won't matter if they don't know which way to go.

On defense, coach the line to sacrifice the pass rush in order to try to knock down passes at the LOS. Bump Addai whenever possible coming out of the backfield. Play in the nickel all game. Hit the receivers whenever possible.

Just my 2 cents, but I think that the Colts are a prime example of a team that you don't run misdirection plays against - for the most part. Freeney, and for the most part Mathis, could care less about misdirection - they are simply going for the QB period. Any time lost or blocking deficiency from misdirection only gives them a huge advantage. Misdirection also has little effect on the 3 DBs other than Sanders. If Sanders is playing a scheme where he is primarily in the box, misdirection doesn't help that either since he's already down in the box. If he's playing back out of the box, you probably just simply use the run which has proven to be pretty productive against their front 7. So I'm not sure I see much benefit of misdirection as a primary scheme against the Colts. I see more advantage in giving Brady the little extra time and look that he has without misdirection. And, as maverick4 points out:

I hear what you're saying about misdirection. I agree in spirit, but the above suggestion would get Brady killed!

 

[Oswlek]

Not really a "gameplan" per se, but one of the least discussed issues that killed NE last time was terrible KO coverage. Here are Wilkins' numbers for that game:

KR - 5
Yds - 175
Avg - 35
Lng - 70

Indy's post KO field position was:

Indy 18
NE 29
Indy 31
Indy 39
* there was another one that was returned to midfield that Wilkins fumbled.

NE absolutely cannot give Indy drive starting field position consistently beyond the 30.

BTW, I have said this before but I want to point it out again. NE really has an edge going into this game that they are going to gameplan for Indy's "new and improved" defense. Baltimore and KC were clearly surprised at the fact that Indy wasn't a totaly pushover and seemed to react with nothing by stunned disbelief. Not only that, but NE already faced the improved Indy defense earlier this year. Bob Sanders, who is the enging that makes that D hum, played in the last game. I have the same feeling that I had prior to the Pitt AFCCG in 2004; that NE had the upper hand because Pitt really couldn't play that much better than they did in the first matchup.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Nope. Not if the Colts play the overloaded run defense they've played so far in the tournament.

Start the game with a play action fake to Dillon and a deep pass down the middle to a tight end.

Then, spread the field, go hurry up, and throw the ball until you force them out of the eight-man in the box defense. When they adjust, start hitting them with draws and misdirection run plays.

It's stupid to run against eight men in the box when there are only two corners and a lone safety in coverage. Force them into cover 2 early and then go to the run.

I was thinking the same thing. The Colts weakness is stopping the run and they will look to overprotect it. We need to make them pay for that early by airing it out, forcing them out of the box. Phase 1 - Pass

Once that happens we can hit them up with runs right at their smallish DL and hopefully win the size/strength mismatches in the trenches. I think Dillon/Maroney will play a large part in this. Phase 2 - Run

Once we've worn down the Colts defense by keeping them on the field for the patented Patriot 15 play drives they will start to tire. By the 4th quarter I see us pulling away if the smaller Colts defenders are gassed and getting pushed around. Phase 3 - Wear them out and finish them

That's my 3 step plan. I'm sure BB's will have more wrinkles in it though.

 

[Seneschal2]

Looks like Dungy has a solid gameplan for defending the Pats --

SITTING DOWN WITH DUNGY

Q: How much of a factor has adrenaline and intensity been for the defense in this recent stretch?
A: I think the other thing that benefits us is sometimes when you get in the playoffs and you’re playing better teams, they have a tendency to do what they do a little bit more. You’re more certain of what you’re going to get. New England’s a little bit different. The (Patriots) change up and have different game plans. They go to Minnesota and it’s five wide (receivers) and no huddle and the next game it might be two tight ends because they think they can run the ball. But most of the time when you’re playing good teams they’re pretty set on what they do. It gives you a chance to zero in on it. That always helps.

Glad to help ya Tony...:singing:

 

[VJCPatriot]

Nice quote you caught from Dungy. The Colts will analyze the Pats tendencies and try to stop the run since they see it as our strength. They have shut down two run 1st teams so far so they have developed some effective schemes for doing it.

SO the best gameplan would be an unexpected one. Here is where McDaniels will be tested. Can he be as innovative and unpredictable as Weiss? He's been pretty good thus far for his first year, let's hope he keeps it up for the biggest game of the year so far!

 

[unoriginal]

On Offense:

This team will have to be patient. The Colts will stack against the run again because our passing game likely doesn't scare them. Marlin Jackson will play up on Gaffney all day because Gaffney doesn't like press, and Marlin loves it. Harper is their best cover corner, Caldwell is our primary receiver, and I think how that matchup goes determines the passing offense.

Going heavy set right off the bat like the Cheifs and the Ravens plays right into their hands. Go two tight with Faulk in the backfield, send the wide receivers deep and have the tight-ends and Faulk read protect first, route second. Catch that defense in an unfavorable personnel matchup (their heavy D vs. our 2 minute O), go hurry up and exploit it, then call in the ground game on the next possession. That should break the D's momentum and keep Sanders out of the damn box.

On Defense:

Hit Addai and Clark on every play. We can't touch the wide receivers much, but we can sure hit the TE and the RB. Keep the safeties deep and playing downhill and the corners up and inside. Peyton may complete three deep outs, but one of the three will be to a safety.

Outside rush Peyton. He hates stepping up. He's gotten very comfortable throwing while falling backwards, but stepping up in the pocket looks like he's stepping inside the dentist's office. I'd say our coverage backers will be Bruschi and Colvin. Send Vrabel. Vrabel always gets there. Maybe Tully, or if its nickel, Sanders.

 

[TalkingNFL]

I agree, unoriginal. Don't start off with the power set - start w/5 wide, spread 'em out, then bring in the power run w/Dillon, the Maroney to keep 'em off-balance.

As for defense, contain their run game & make Manning make a play. You know it's only a matter of time before he makes a mistake...

http://www.talkingnfl.com/i-hate-peyton-manning-part-3/
http://www.talkingnfl.com/i-hate-peyton-manning-part-2/
http://www.talkingnfl.com/i-hate-peyton-manning-part-1/

(No, I really don't like Peyton Manning...)

 

[hwc]

On run plays, he is non-existent - so look for a lot of runs over Freeney's end of the DL.

That's the conventional wisdom -- that Freeney will rush hellbent for leather upfield and take himself out of run plays. But, that is NOT how the Colts have been playing in the tournament. The DEs have been crashing down the line to stop the run. That, combined with 8 in the box, is how they shut down the Chiefs and Ravens' inside run game.

The Pats will have to gameplan to exploit the Colts over-commitment to stopping the run. They will bite like crazy on play action early in the game. Also, spreading the field and overloading the three DBs in the zones will force them out of the run defense, too (or gash them).

 

[unoriginal]

That's the conventional wisdom -- that Freeney will rush hellbent for leather upfield and take himself out of run plays. But, that is NOT how the Colts have been playing in the tournament. The DEs have been crashing down the line to stop the run. That, combined with 8 in the box, is how they shut down the Chiefs and Ravens' inside run game.

The Pats will have to gameplan to exploit the Colts over-commitment to stopping the run. They will bite like crazy on play action early in the game. Also, spreading the field and overloading the three DBs in the zones will force them out of the run defense, too (or gash them).

I wish I'd said that. You're absolutely right, the Colts backside-pursue early. They only rush upfield once they get the lead.

 

[arrellbee]

That's the conventional wisdom -- that Freeney will rush hellbent for leather upfield and take himself out of run plays. But, that is NOT how the Colts have been playing in the tournament. The DEs have been crashing down the line to stop the run. That, combined with 8 in the box, is how they shut down the Chiefs and Ravens' inside run game.

The Pats will have to gameplan to exploit the Colts over-commitment to stopping the run. They will bite like crazy on play action early in the game. Also, spreading the field and overloading the three DBs in the zones will force them out of the run defense, too (or gash them).

I don't know where you get your notion, but it doesn't match reality. Here's the first quarter or so of the Colts-Ravens game - and the left OT Ogden was reported hampered by a toe problem:

14:50 - run; Freeney initially double teamed but then TE released off of the block; Freeney totally blocked outside; never closer than 7 yds from RB
14:12 - run; Freeney single blocked totally outside; never closer than 5 yds from RB
13:35 - pass; Ogden let Freeney go and RB picked up Freeney; RB single blocked Freeney totally outside - nowhere near the QB
7:58 - pass/scramble; Freeney single blocked outside by Ogden; never closer to QB than 10yds
7:20 - pass; Freeney brush blocked by Ogden and picked up by TE & RB; never closer than 5yds from QB
6:27 - pass; Freeney stunted to the line and then inside; left OG follows him and picks him up and blocks him - never closer than 5 yds from QB
4:43 - run; Freeney is stood up by Ogden and tries to move inside but TE keeps him away from RB
4:15 - run; Ogden single blocks Freeney to the outside totally away from the RB
3:35 - pass; Ogden single blocks Freeney to the outside; Freeney stops and heads to the middle which by that time is worthless
2:06 - screen; Freeney tried to go inside and Ogden stands him up single blocking; screen is to Freeney's side and he's nowhere near the RB; screen goes for 8 yds
1:36 - run; TE single blocks Freeney to keep him tied up from getting across the middle to the RB
1:07 - pass; Freeney goes inside but is double blocked and stood up; McNair steps up into the pocket but even so Freeney has been stopped dead with no pressure on McNair.
1:02 - run; Freeney single blocked by TE who just stands him up on the spot & Freeney doesn't get anywhere
0:24 - pass; Freeney single blocked totally outside by Ogden
14:06 - run; run around Freeney's end; Ogden single blocks him dead; Freeney never closer than 5 yds from RB
13:30 - run; run over left guard (Freeney's side); Freeney single blocked by left OG, not cleanly but enough to keep Freeney away from RB
12:44 - run: Ogden totally suckers Freeney to rush to the inside and then seals him there while run goes over Freeney's line position for 18 yards

I think that gives you the picture. Contrary to the stupid media hype, Freeney is not double blocked by teams with decent left OTs. As you can see from the above, Ogden handled Freeney totally with single blocking, even hurt. Freeney was even single blocked once by a RB and once by a TE.

From the get-go, Freeney rushes to the outside 80% or more of the time unless he's trapped inside. Mathis mostly rushes outside but if single blocked will also try sometimes to get to the inside of the block.

It also shows how non-existent Freeney is against the run.

By the way, on the wish that play action will 'freeze' the rush: typical play was the first time that the Ravens tried a play action at 0:24 of the first quarter. Mathis paid absolutely no attention to the 'fake' and spun off of the 'run' block to the outside and was instantly on McNair. McNair just barely got the ball off into the ground upfield but got clobbered by Mathis. If it's just the same with you, I'd rather not subject Brady to that kind of play.

 

[mgteich]

ON DEFENSE

1) Stop the run; yes, this may mean 8 in the box.
2) Eight in the box also has the side effect of providing pressure on Manning
3) hit Harrison and Wayne at the line of scrimmage
4) hit anyone coming across the middle, hard (15 yards early is fine)
5) trust our corners

I don't think the nickel and dime is the right defensive scheme. There isn't enough pressure and besides they'll just run, run and run some more. Besides, Clark and Utrecht would have a field day against Scott and whoever we have at dime. I'd rather have all our linebackers on the field. We should keep our best 11 on the field as much as possible. We should trust our linebackers.

--------------------------------------
ON OFFENSE

1) The colts with Bob Sanders can stop the run. The colts can't stop the no-huddle. No one can stop us if Watson and Graham catch what is thrown at them.

2) A couple of screens over Freeney are needed early as well as a couple of long passes.

3) We MUST protect Brady. That means (as it did last week), a RB protecting Brady as well as TE's chipping to help the OT's.

------------------------------------------------
Offensive MVP - Brady (who else?) although it could go to a WR
Defensive MVP - Hobbs (this needs to happen for us to win)
Special Team MVP - GOST (just stating the obvious)

 

[nukin]

I am short on time. Would someone please post my gameplan for beating the Colts. Thanks.

Pass the ball. If that does not work, blame Bush and then run it.

 

[Deus Irae]

On offense

1.) Run Maroney on sweeps to the left, and use Dillon and short passes to wear down the interior D-line.

2.) Alternate formations quite a bit, using a spread, a power formation and a 1 back. Use tight ends to chip on the edge rushers frequently, to wear them down faster.

3.) Do the one thing this team seems to have abandoned without Branch, even if it's just to get the Colts thinking: run some double moves with the outside receivers.

4.) Some draws for Faulk out of passing formations are always appreciated, particularly with speedy edge rushers.


On defense

1.) Use the 4 man line more often than usual, allowing Jarvis to get to know Manning again. When not doing this, allow TBC to rush the QB a lot, bother to cover his problems with the run and to add to the pressure on Manning.

2.) Focus on shutting down Wayne and slowing down Harrison. Allowing Samuel to play Harrison while playing Hobbs on Wayne and sliding the safety to Hobbs side should allow for the possibility of big plays for both Harrison AND Samuel, while severely limiting Wayne's impact. Without Stokely, that should be enough to keep the score relatively low.

3.) Beat the snot out of the Colts coming over the middle, particularly the tight ends.

4.) Hold Addai to 4.5 yards per rush (Less, obviously, if the Colts actually try to grind it out, which I don't expect) and, more importantly, don't allow him to slip out of the backfield uncovered for easy receptions.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

Nope. Not if the Colts play the overloaded run defense they've played so far in the tournament.

Start the game with a play action fake to Dillon and a deep pass down the middle to a tight end.

Then, spread the field, go hurry up, and throw the ball until you force them out of the eight-man in the box defense. When they adjust, start hitting them with draws and misdirection run plays.

It's stupid to run against eight men in the box when there are only two corners and a lone safety in coverage. Force them into cover 2 early and then go to the run.

I like it!!! :rocker: Exactly what I would do!!

 

[Art_Vandelay421]

What is your gameplan, on both sides of the ball, to defeat the Colts?

My 2cents:

Defense - We will need to stop Addai with our DL and minimal help, so we can play more nickel and dime packages. Play deep, and force Manning to be patient and take short passes. Once in our red zone, bring on the blitz and hope he can't find a receiver in 2 seconds.

Offense - Go with the Dillon & Maroney & Faulk show. Take advantage of Indy's weak run defense as well as over-aggressive pass rushers through various runs, screens, and draws, and use play-action at the goal line since they'll have to respect it with their pathetic run D.

I agree on running the ball...you do not become the 85 Bears based on two games - Pats should just run at Dwight (One-Trick Pony) Freeny - He is a pass rusher, not a run stopper.

 

[maverick4]

1) The Colts with Bob Sanders can stop the run. The colts can't stop the no-huddle. No one can stop us if Watson and Graham catch what is thrown at them.

I too, am concerned that Bob Sanders is back for the Colts. He is like a human missile out there and is very good against the run.

 

[Fogbuster]

I too, am concerned that Bob Sanders is back for the Colts. He is like a human missile out there and is very good against the run.

Then we need to send a couple of deep down the middle passes. Either Reche or Gafney. Also a Graham and a Watson or two down the middle. Make Sanders stay home, put him back on his heals a bit.

 

[maverick4]

Then we need to send a couple of deep down the middle passes. Either Reche or Gafney. Also a Graham and a Watson or two down the middle. Make Sanders stay home, put him back on his heals a bit.

There seem to be differing opinions all over the place. Should we screen pass behind Freeney or run at him? Should we start out 5 wide or in a power set? Should we go play action and throw deep or run lots of short passes? The more I think about it, the more I think this may be Peyton's best shot at a superbowl. He has gotten better every year, but after this year the Colts may start to slowly implode based on their cap.

 

[maverick4]

Just wanted to add QB12's great suggestion in this thread, which is to throw deep very early in the game (ala Pittsburgh and Polamalu a few years back), in order to keep Bob Sanders from crowding the box.