is the Media sleeping on our defense?

All the talk from the media seems to be about the "legion of boom" and how good their defense is....and about how the patriots offense matches up with them.

but, I have heard little talk of the patriots own "legion of boom" with Revis/Browner against Kearse/baldwin. and McCourty guarding against the deep pass. or our front 7 whom have been solid all year's ability to keep wilson in the pocket and control lynch.

I think ultimately the game is going to come down to the defense. If they can limit seattles offense, I feel like the patriots will be able to put up enough points to win vs the seattle defense.

last superbowl, brady pretty much had to be perfect because we had one of the worst defenses of all time. This year we can win a game in multiple ways

The media is sleeping on the game itself.

If I thought Thomas and Sherman were healthy, I'd pick Seattle. Fortunately for us, they're not. I'll even go as far as saying Thomas won't finish the game. You get your pre-game shot. It will wear off. It's hot in there and the halftime is longer.

Teams that really focus on running the ball had success on us. Miami, NY Jets and Baltimore come to mind. Seattle is focused on running the ball. Even if it doesn't work right away. Throw in a much better runner at qb and it's easy to see them being able to run the ball somewhat.

We usually don't over-commit to stopping one thing. I doubt if we put 8 in the box too much. Because, we don't want to give up a big play in the passing game. Especially, in a low scoring game. Which, I expect this to be. Our red-zone defense will be the key. Marshawn Lynch will be the key here. I think we gamble down there and come after him and Wilson. Leaving our corners in man. I think they can handle the Seattle receivers in that type of scenario. Limit them to FG's. Pats win 20-16. Up one and a late drive takes some time off the clock and we kick a FG to ice it.

This has been my thought as well. We've heard a lot about SEA defense v NE offense and what needs to be done to stop Lynch and contain Wilson, but almost absolutely zilch on the challenge that NE defense poses. I like it. I hope our D comes out with a huge ****ing chip on their shoulder and knocks the snot out of Seattle's receivers, Wilson and Lynch.

I think our Secondary matches up way better against Seattle's WRs/TEs than Seattle's Secondary matches up against our WR/TEs. I could see us being in "base" a lot more than nickle. I wouldn't be shocked if Jonathan Casillas sees increased playing time and makes a big play.

VrabelJr said:

I think our Secondary matches up way better against Seattle's WRs/TEs than Seattle's Secondary matches up against our WR/TEs. I could see us being in "base" a lot more than nickle. I wouldn't be shocked if Jonathan Casillas sees increased playing time and makes a big play.

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not to mention, the weakness of Seattles corners apparantly is shifty small receivers because they cant get their hands on them. seems to play into the patriots strength with Julian Edelman/Amendola

VrabelJr said:

I think our Secondary matches up way better against Seattle's WRs/TEs than Seattle's Secondary matches up against our WR/TEs. I could see us being in "base" a lot more than nickle. I wouldn't be shocked if Jonathan Casillas sees increased playing time and makes a big play.

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If I had to pick one guy to spy on Wilson. It might be him. Curious where we would line him up. I think he ran a sub 4.5 at the combine when he was coming out of college.

Everybody is talking about how the Patriots will have trouble with Wilson running or throwing on the run. I just want to point out that Luck is very dangerous doing both of those things and the Patriots ate him up. Nevermind that the Colts have a much better group of WRs.

Now, the thing about the Seahawks offense is that it has a mediocre group of WRs that match up poorly with the Patriots secondary. This means the Patriots can put 8 in the box and still shut down the Seattle receiving core.

Lynch will be stopped, Russel will not be able to run with the ball or throw it.

Seattle's only chance at winning this game is predicated on turnovers by the Patriots giving Seattle a short field.

I definitely think so...I've been saying that if we can put up 25+ points against the Legion of Boom then we've gotta chance...I'm not really afraid of Baldwin, Luke, or Kearse against our Island of Doom

I don't tgibk Seattle can score more than 17-21...if that

Their offense is not that good, and our D is so...

Our O will get its share of points just bc they always do regardless of D, so at least 3 tds from us, but prob we score in the 30s

ALP said:

I don't tgibk Seattle can score more than 17-21...if that

Their offense is not that good, and our D is so...

Our O will get its share of points just bc they always do regardless of D, so at least 3 tds from us, but prob we score in the 30s

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We scored 14 and 17 in the last two Super Bowls against the Giants. Their defense is nowhere near as good as Seattle's defense. 30+???. Highly, highly doubtful unless ST and defensive touchdowns.

I just don't see a scenario where NE's run defense is consistent thru the game. Lynch will get his yards. We haven't seen it all year where this team has completely shut down the run. They do at times n chunks, but not a complete shut down performance.. Gonna be tough sledding..

We scored 14 and 17 in the last two Super Bowls against the Giants. Their defense is nowhere near as good as Seattle's defense. 30+???. Highly, highly doubtful unless ST and defensive touchdowns.

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Style of play, strengths and weaknesses matter too though. The Giants interior d-line was beastly, Brady has long had issues with teams that can bullrush the pocket, they got pressure off the edge but also straight up the gut and that's where Brady gets derailed. The Jets have given him fits too, for the same reason.

Seattle's defense starts in the secondary; their front 7 are good, and Bennett and Avril could present some issues, but their defense is so good because their secondary is fast, talented and fierce. If the Pats O-line can give Brady time he'll find open men, as he did in 2012, it's that simple.

30+ might be pushing it, we'll see, but I'd honestly rather face this Seattle D then one constructed like the Giants or Jets.

Casillas has been awful whenever he is in in defense. Poor recognition and tackling.

better stop lynch. if he gets 5 yards a carry, forget about it...
god, i hate that read option garbage

patsfaninpa said:

We scored 14 and 17 in the last two Super Bowls against the Giants. Their defense is nowhere near as good as Seattle's defense. 30+???. Highly, highly doubtful unless ST and defensive touchdowns.

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Different team, different season. I think a more overarching point might be that the Pats have scored 32, 24, 20, 17, and 14 in the BB/TB-era SBs. So there's never been an offensive explosion. Either that's a trend...or maybe we're due for one. I've always thought Brady being a bit hobbled in 42 had a much bigger impact than expected (or than he would ever admit) but even so the Giants needed a miracle play to pull that out. 46 is probably a better example of 2 pretty evenly matched teams, and one made the big play (sideline throw from the endzone to Manningham), and one didn't (Welker play...can't call it a drop or bad throw, just a super inconvenient combo of the two).

All that considered I don't think the Giants are a really good comparison for the Seahawks. Their defenses are built in reverse - Giants from the DL back, Seahawks from the DBs forward. The main thing that caused problems for Brady in the Giant games was quick, consistent pressure that didn't require blitzing. Not coverage, not scheme, just pressure that didn't sacrifice coverage. The Seahawks can't really do that, from what I've seen. At least not to the level that the Pats shouldn't be able to neutralize it. Tom will have time to make plays, and eventually, they'll be there. He's just got to have a good game. The Seahawk secondary may be the best in the biz (frankly, I think they're 2nd to NE in that regard, THIS year), but they're definitely going to have to play like it come Sunday.

I still think a storm's a-brewing in all the right ways. Pats 45-10.

I look at the NFCCG and how the Pack was five minutes away from handing Seattle a two touchdown loss to end their run. Seems to me that the Pats should be able to look at what worked for Green Bay on both sides of the ball and have a good start on at least part of the game plan. One obvious feature would be how Lacey was able to run effectively, makes me optimistic about Blount and the rest of our running game. Another would be how GB kept the 'Hawks offense in check for most of the game, question is whether we can do the same. Thoughts? Can our D do as well as the Pack did, for the first 55 minutes, except sustain it for that last five as well?

I wish I had the confidence some of you guys do. No way the Pats score over 28 in my eyes. Seattle's D is GOOD. I can see Jamie Collins with a strip sack and maybe a Je11 punt return, but 3-4 TDs from our O? Idk.

I think SEA has a lot of trouble on our defense tbh

like others have said, its about the matchups, and i dont think you can compare those giants defenses w/ seattles...different makeups completely

also, no logan mankins this year, so the Oline isnt going to play remarkably worse just bc its the SB...

Yes, they are also overlooking that Seattle hasn't played well against very good teams