How is this game going to play out on Sunday?

I think the consensus is that the PATS will stuff the box to stop Lynch and leave our secondary out on an island, but I'm not so sure this will be the case. I think if the Seahawks get in the red-zone we'll definitely bring people up in the box, but I don't think Belichick wants to give up the big play, so he'll be ok with a bend don't break defense for 80 yards of the field and try to limit the Seahawks to field goals. Certainly we'll pick our spots, but I think for the most part we'll keep the safeties back and hope that our front seven can limit Lynch and Wilson on the run. With our big interior defensive line and Hightower in the middle, I think as long as we maintain the edge to keep Wilson in the pocket and tackle well we'll be in good shape. As for the offense, it's going to be interesting to see how the injuries to Sherman and Thomas impact their defense - I hope we test them early. I'm not sure we are going to be able to gain much in yardage on the run but we have to try to have balance to keep the Hawks honest so our rushing attempts need to be there. I'm not banking on getting much out of Stork but I hope I'm wrong. I think Brady can move the ball with the short passing game but just how well is going to be dependent on how quickly our receivers can get off the line because we all know Seattle will press - this is why Sherman's health is critical. When it's all said and done, I think our defense matches up well against the Hawk's offense and vice versu, but I give our offense a bit of an edge in the overall matchup - PATS win 27-20!

Last seconds tick off and New England has more points. Sorry for being so drawn out and bogging you guys down with details.

big bruising backs like eddie lacy and Jon stewart, had success running on the seahawks since they are undersized up front. I think this could be the case with Blount as well

I don't want the bend but don't break. The key to not giving up big plays isn't by playing passively against this offense. The key is being aggressive but not allowing Wilson out of the pocket. That's where all their big plays come from. If they let Seattle control the ball it's playing right into their hands by shortening the game and letting them dominate time of possession and it's the Giant's SBs all over again. Get up early and take them out of their comfort zone.

I want Belichick to avoid Sherman the whole game. Not one play, pass or run to his side. Win or lose, I'd like nothing more than that big mouth arrogant jerk to say, when asked about the game: "I didn't do anything the whole time. I didn't get to play."

Pats will score early, they will score often, and they'll never look back.

This'll be a statement game in the SB. I was confident even before the news that Stork will play. Now I'm certain we'll win big.

phil112 said:

I want Belichick to avoid Sherman the whole game. Not one play, pass or run to his side. Win or lose, I'd like nothing more than that big mouth arrogant jerk to say, when asked about the game: "I didn't do anything the whole time. I didn't get to play."

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I want the complete opposite

phil112 said:

I want Belichick to avoid Sherman the whole game. Not one play, pass or run to his side. Win or lose, I'd like nothing more than that big mouth arrogant jerk to say, when asked about the game: "I didn't do anything the whole time. I didn't get to play."

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I hope BB isn't gameplanning with Sherman's post-game presser in mind.

shawn jefferson

phil112 said:

I want Belichick to avoid Sherman the whole game. Not one play, pass or run to his side. Win or lose, I'd like nothing more than that big mouth arrogant jerk to say, when asked about the game: "I didn't do anything the whole time. I didn't get to play."

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The problem is, he won't say that. He'll say, "they were afraid to come to my side of the field. They were afraid to challenge the best corner in football," particularly if we (no jinx) lose. The Pats would be foolish not to try to test his arm in the game. In fact, if I am the Pats, as long as he and Thomas are not picking off Brady's passes or coming close, I would throw at them early and often as they and whatever pain meds they took will wear down over the course of the game, particularly if they are getting a lot of action.

everlong said:

I don't want the bend but don't break. The key to not giving up big plays isn't by playing passively against this offense. The key is being aggressive but not allowing Wilson out of the pocket. That's where all their big plays come from. If they let Seattle control the ball it's playing right into their hands by shortening the game and letting them dominate time of possession and it's the Giant's SBs all over again. Get up early and take them out of their comfort zone.

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"Bend don't break" may have been a bad way to put it, but my feeling is that Belichick is confident his defense can limit their run game without stuffing the box and he wants to avoid Wilson having too many opportunities with single coverage with no safety support and hitting a few home runs down field. That's how we lost the first time to them a few years back as I remember.

My only major concern is McD. I don't want to see him pee his pants when a couple of runs get stuffed like he typically does. When that happens and he abandons the run the Pats struggle. If Tom passes 50 times on Sunday we most likely lose and lose big. Staying balanced on O is critical.

Defensively it's all about limiting Marshawn and corralling Wilson. Nink has to set the edge and keep it, he usually does fairly well. I think the secondary does its job and keeps their pass game in check. I would assign Collins with spying on Wilson, there has to be a hat on him at all times. Then put out your beefiest Dline and hope they wrap up Lynch because he will break thru arm-tackles effortlessly. Sell out to stop the run basically.

I'll take the good guys in a thriller 24-20.

phil112 said:

I want Belichick to avoid Sherman the whole game. Not one play, pass or run to his side. Win or lose, I'd like nothing more than that big mouth arrogant jerk to say, when asked about the game: "I didn't do anything the whole time. I didn't get to play."

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I do not think we will see this on Sunday. If Sherman is dealing with a torn ulnar, then it is possible he will not be playing quite up to his capabilities. I would like to see the Patriots test him, both in the run and pass game.

Furthermore, Green Bay avoided Sherman in both games and lost, likely because avoiding one side allowed the Seahawks to roll coverage to the other side, where Nelson and Cobb were bottled up for the most part in both contests...

I say go at Sherman on the quick inside routes when coverage is favorable. IIRC, Keenan Allen had success on these types way back in week 2 against him.

The Patriots will destroy the Seahawks winning the game by 60 then Jim Kensil will tug test Wilforks jersey, declare it too tight, label the Patriots cheaters and Goodell will present the Lombardi to Pete Carroll.

Mv1029 said:

"Bend don't break" may have been a bad way to put it, but my feeling is that Belichick is confident his defense can limit their run game without stuffing the box and he wants to avoid Wilson having too many opportunities with single coverage with no safety support and hitting a few home runs down field. That's how we lost the first time to them a few years back as I remember.

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But now we have McCourty patrolling center field.

I think our guys match up well against Sherman. I think Edelman and Amendola are very quick and shifty and can put some moves on Sherman. Not to mention Vereen. I do want us to run all over them with Blount and Gray and control the clock. Just wear them down.

Mv1029 said:

"Bend don't break" may have been a bad way to put it, but my feeling is that Belichick is confident his defense can limit their run game without stuffing the box and he wants to avoid Wilson having too many opportunities with single coverage with no safety support and hitting a few home runs down field. That's how we lost the first time to them a few years back as I remember.

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They lost the game because Brady threw a bad pick to Sherman, butterfingers let one bounce off of his hands up into the air inside the 5, they settled for FGs and because Wilson got out of the pocket and burnt them. As long as they keep him in the pocket they can still be aggressive against the run. Nink will stay home if he does the controlled rollout I just don't know if he has the speed. Maybe Ayers sees a lot of snaps and is responsible for any rollouts.

everlong said:

They lost the game because Brady threw a bad pick to Sherman, butterfingers let one bounce off of his hands up into the air inside the 5, they settled for FGs and because Wilson got out of the pocket and burnt them. As long as they keep him in the pocket they can still be aggressive against the run. Nink will stay home if he does the controlled rollout I just don't know if he has the speed. Maybe Ayers sees a lot of snaps and is responsible for any rollouts.

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Didn't they screw up the end of the first half with a field goal instead of a TD?

TommyBrady12 said:

Didn't they screw up the end of the first half with a field goal instead of a TD?

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I can't recall the exact circumstances of that one. I was watching for NFLN to replay that one this week but they were too busy with deflated balls.

NE_Zealot said:

My only major concern is McD. I don't want to see him pee his pants when a couple of runs get stuffed like he typically does. When that happens and he abandons the run the Pats struggle. If Tom passes 50 times on Sunday we most likely lose and lose big. Staying balanced on O is critical.

Defensively it's all about limiting Marshawn and corralling Wilson. Nink has to set the edge and keep it, he usually does fairly well. I think the secondary does its job and keeps their pass game in check. I would assign Collins with spying on Wilson, there has to be a hat on him at all times. Then put out your beefiest Dline and hope they wrap up Lynch because he will break thru arm-tackles effortlessly. Sell out to stop the run basically.

I'll take the good guys in a thriller 24-20.

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I agree wholeheartedly about McD. He better not crap his pants like he did in SB42