The "I'm nervous about Seattle" thread

slash83 said:

One match up I like is the pats interior O line versus Seattles DTs. They don't have that ngata a big DT to push the pocket into Brady's face. Brady being able to step up from edge pressure will be crucial.

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The one area that would concern me would be if Bennett lines up against Wendell or Connolly at guard in passing situations. He is a very good pass rusher and that is an area that we have struggled with this year. I want Tom to be able to step up in the pocket.

ashley1992 said:

The one area that would concern me would be if Bennett lines up against Wendell or Connolly at guard in passing situations. He is a very good pass rusher and that is an area that we have struggled with this year. I want Tom to be able to step up in the pocket.

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Bennett is about 275 pounds. If he lined up against one of our 300+ lb guards he would get stoned.

Bennett's more of a threat at end where he can use his speed, IMO. I suppose if they ran a stunt with Bennett inside that speed would work just as well against a guard but he would be easier for a TE or RB to pick up than a 325 lb DT.

The Brandon Five said:

Bennett is about 275 pounds. If he lined up against one of our 300+ lb guards he would get stoned.

Bennett's more of a threat at end where he can use his speed, IMO. I suppose if they ran a stunt with Bennett inside that speed would work just as well against a guard but he would be easier for a TE or RB to pick up than a 325 lb DT.

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Justin Tuck a DE has given the patriots fits when lined up at the DT position in both the pats losses. Not saying it will happen again or that Bennett is as good as tuck was, just something to think about.

slash83 said:

Justin Tuck a DE has given the patriots fits when lined up at the DT position in both the pats losses. Not saying it will happen again or that Bennett is as good as tuck was, just something to think about.

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Hey if Connolly plays as badly as Mankins did in SB 42 (healthy) or SB 46 (torn ACL) then, yeah, the team is in trouble.

I'm trying to be nervous but it isn't working. I still think the Ravens game set the Pats up for this, that was a tough game, I also think the Ravens defense was much better than the stats said they were. In saying that Seattle is a great defense but they have their issues also, the DL isn't up to their best due to injuries and guys out at this point, I don't remember them harassing Rodgers that much but also remember limping Rodgers running for a 1st down. Seattle hits receivers hard that would be my only worry because I think the underneath routes will come open but gotta be carefull as a WR to not to get blown up. As a note think about Welker , his only real downfall was taking huge hits, DA and JE seem to have a knack of not taking those and getting to the ground quickly when needed.

I don't expect a huge receiving out of gronk, 5-8 receptions and maybe 80 yards but I expect two TD's, he is going to be blocking IMHO along with Lafell. NE has to run, I'm guessing at least 80-90 yards on the ground to win.

Defensively I do believe this is the best defense Seattle will face all season. I don't mind the mush rush in this game, I do think it will work, keep Wilson in the pocket. I am more worried about Lynch, this one might give me pause, while I think Vince is great I don't think he has played this year like others, he doesn't seem as dominant in the running game as in the past, he is getting up get so he has an alibi, Collins is important to the rush defense but the last couple games I have seen him get in the backfield quickly but miss the tackle, he has to be a little more focused and sometimes that quick move might not be the best. If Lynch gets 150 then NE is probably in trouble and going all pass at that point.

I still think overall NE has the edge in this, but they have to play very well, no mistakes, Brady has to play the best game of his SB career and not come out to hyped. I do believe that the mental part of the game is more important this time, Brady knows the odds of getting back getting less likely and I think he will have laser type focus, I don't see NE letting this one get away.

I've been wrong before but this time I think they got it, I'm not even sure I by into the a close game, 7-10 point advantage IMHO.

I think we always have a tough time against these ****y, trash-talking teams with fast defenses. So, I think there's good reason to be nervous.

Double TE said:

On the positive side of things, Antonio Gates ate that D alive. Maybe Gronk can do the same.

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I think wagner wasnt in that game and chancellor was not hundred percent. I think they will handle gronk . Even colts for the most part handled gronk in the 2 games until the 4th Q. Its whether other guys can make plays.

My biggest question mark remains our run defense. We have played teams where we knew teams were going to run and have not been able to stop. Baltimore kept running and we could not stop it even though they knew exactly what was happening. They know they need to stop lynch will they be able to do it long enough especially if our offense has its issues or is going to get off a slow start with that defense. ?

Seahawks only got pressure to Rodgers on 5 of his 42 drop backs last week. We protected Brady vs Balt dline I'm not worried about the Hawks line.

very nervous, if seattles running game gets going we will lose.
also have to keep wilson in the pocket. if he beats us with his arm, fair enough. no turnovers either otherwise we will get throttled like the broncos last year. lol

SVN said:

My biggest question mark remains our run defense. We have played teams where we knew teams were going to run and have not been able to stop. Baltimore kept running and we could not stop it even though they knew exactly what was happening.

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Run defense has to be viewed in context. Remember, the Pats were in nickle or dime packages on over 70% of the snaps this year. Not going to be great against the run in a passing sub defense. Against a lot of teams, you just have to live with it.

They may very well, in fact probably will, play base run defense against the Seahawks as they will want to clog up the running lanes for Lynch and Wilson.

SVN said:

I think wagner wasnt in that game and chancellor was not hundred percent. I think they will handle gronk . Even colts for the most part handled gronk in the 2 games until the 4th Q. Its whether other guys can make plays.

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Yes, I'm expecting them to focus on Gronkowski a lot as well, so I agree that it'll be up to the other players to produce.

If we can get the running game going, there's no reason why they shouldn't win this game. Of course that's much easier said than done, and pretty much the entire reason for concern on that side of the ball.

hwc said:

Run defense has to be viewed in context. Remember, the Pats were in nickle or dime packages on over 70% of the snaps this year. Not going to be great against the run in a passing sub defense. Against a lot of teams, you just have to live with it.

They may very well, in fact probably will, play base run defense against the Seahawks as they will want to clog up the running lanes for Lynch and Wilson.

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We played a lot of base vs Baltimore. Sure it was the cut blocking thing which the defenders were very worried about but seattle does that also a bit.

One thing I am going to try and do this year is just try and enjoy it. We are all stout followers of this team and have invested a lot of time/money or both.

Past big games had made me pacing like a lion in a cage but I think this year I am gonna do my best to enjoy big plays (like on defense for example), you know be happy about them, as opposed to being a nervous nelly and thinking we dodged a bullet!

I was listening to Ross Tucker this am and he had a former player on who said Friday is the first day he started to get a bit nervous. Obviously they are gonna be wired on Sunday but the ex-player said today is the day when the first nerves start to appear...

Hopefully it will be a great game....and don't forget to enjoy it, we are a lucky fan base...!

I still feel like Patriots are the more balanced team. Offense, defense, special teams. And I think that is why they will come up top. maybe a blocked punt, forced fumble on a kick return, maybe Julian breaks a punt return for a td.

While Seattle has a great defense. they special teams as mediocre, and their offense is based around the run.

ashley1992 said:

The one area that would concern me would be if Bennett lines up against Wendell or Connolly at guard in passing situations. He is a very good pass rusher and that is an area that we have struggled with this year. I want Tom to be able to step up in the pocket.

Click to expand...

The Brandon Five said:

Bennett is about 275 pounds. If he lined up against one of our 300+ lb guards he would get stoned.

Bennett's more of a threat at end where he can use his speed, IMO. I suppose if they ran a stunt with Bennett inside that speed would work just as well against a guard but he would be easier for a TE or RB to pick up than a 325 lb DT.

Click to expand...

slash83 said:

Justin Tuck a DE has given the patriots fits when lined up at the DT position in both the pats losses. Not saying it will happen again or that Bennett is as good as tuck was, just something to think about.

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something bedard points out in his breakdown

http://mmqb.si.com/2015/01/29/super-bowl-prediction-patriots-over-seahawks/

"This is all well and good, but the Patriots still have to execute against the most dangerous player in this game: Seahawks end/tackle Michael Bennett. If there’s anyone on the Seahawks who can ruin another Patriots’ Super Bowl like Justin Tuck did twice for the Giants, it’s Bennett. He will find advantageous matchups against both Patriots guards (Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell). If the Patriots don’t account for Bennett on every play, they will be in trouble offensively."

SVN said:

something bedard points out in his breakdown

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Bennett's a fine player and Bedard has watched Seattle more than me. But Bennett had 7 sacks this year, 3 in the first two games. Starting Week 3, he's played 16 games and has 4 sacks. I hope he's the most dangerous player.

I'm excited for the Super Bowl but I'm still a little bit nervous. Yes, this is the healthiest Patriots team we've had in years. Yes, our defense has made big improvements. Yes, our offense should be able to do well against Seattle's defense (with it not as the same as it was last year). But I hope the deflategate distraction hasn't interfered too much with them. Also hope they're ready for anything Seattle tries to pull (and hope they're aware that Seattle knows about their trick plays that they pulled on Baltimore).

I knew we should be nervous.... I knew it.