Keys to beating Denver

shmessy said:

I'd take a second look at that.........

Except for Talib and Ward, their Secondary is in shambles (Bruton and Bolden are now on IR and Chris Harris really can't play with his arm and shoulder).

Brady must walk around with a bib this week to protect his shirts from his drooling.

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The last Bronco game NE ran for 39 yards and became 1 dimensional. The Pats converted 2 of 13 3rd downs. Denver still has a ferocious pass rush and IMO will get to Brady. Just hitting him is effective in throwing him off his timing.

Before you bring up the KC pass rush, Hali and Houston were both hurt. Houston barely played but several snaps. The whole premise of my game plan is too convert 3rd downs and establish some semblance of a running game keeping the Pats offense on the field where they can substitute preparing for the 3rd and 4th quarter in the mile high air. KC had the ball for 15 minutes more than NE which will never fly for a NE win in Denver.

The last 2 NE losses in Denver the Pats failed to generate any kind of running attack.

Ivan said:

Man you worry a lot.

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I wouldn't if the game wasn't in denver. I worry about the officiating. I wanted homefield for this reason and just the history. We haven't gotten to the superbowl in awhile when going on the road to do it.

On O

1) Like many said, lots of short passes. Keep the rushers off Brady and lets wear down their D.
2) If Gronk gets 1 on 1 man coverage then take your shot.
3) I'd like to see White get involved more. He can be a difference maker with receptions out of the backfield.

On D

1) Press man coverage. Let's make Manning hold the ball a bit longer and force him into some throws that are in tight coverage. Even with his noodle arm he can find the open man in zone and get it there.
2) Better run D. Force Manning into long throws on 2nd and 3rd.
3) Blitz up the middle. Force Manning off the spot. He already lacks arm strength, if he doesn't get set he'll throw up some ducks.

Other
1) No turnovers!
2) Win the field position battle. Make Manning drive the entire field. Steelers were horrible with field position yesterday.

Pats will play McCourty deep all game long and bring Chung, Harmon or both up to the line and send Hightower up the middle on delayed blitzes.

Triumph said:

The last Bronco game NE ran for 39 yards and became 1 dimensional. The Pats converted 2 of 13 3rd downs. Denver still has a ferocious pass rush and IMO will get to Brady. Just hitting him is effective in throwing him off his timing.
.....

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Note carefully: the last game in Denver, the Patriots dressed only 3 WRs named Brandon Lafell, Keshawn Martin and Chris Harper.

I'm all for having a run-pass balance and criticized McDaniels/Brady several times especially in 2013 for forgetting the run - but that was when they actually HAD a running game and a decent offensive line.

I love the Steven Jackson pickup, but he's been out of football for a year, missed OTAs and training camp and is running behind a very young and makeshift line. Whatever he is doing he is doing on talent and size - not on any rhythm and coordination with his blockers.

It's not like when I was calling for more running when we had Blount, Ridley and Vereen back there behind Solder, Mankins, Wendell, Connolly and Vollmer.

It is what it is.

"Key to beating Denver?"
Show up. Seriously I'm astounded by s lot of fans here. This game will not be close. Please don't insult my intelligence by bringing up the previous Denver game: no je11, no dola, no high for most of the game,etc. Donkeys best db is playing with one arm- and he relies on pressman. Good luck with that on our physical receivers- all 3 of em are great at breaking away from initial contact at the line. I said it before the kc game- I didn't expect anyone in the AFC to challenge the Pats. Book the damn super bowl. Now that game WILL be a challenge, either way. But all you worriers- chew on this- if the Pats leave Denver reasonably healthy- they WILL be favored( slightly) over both zona and Carolina.

Ochmed Jones said:

The pats defense is going to play manning inside out. I don't think anybody will be surprised by that. Maybe we double Thomas.

The pats offense is going to run tons of crossing routes. Last time we played Denver it was without Edelman. He should open up the seam routes for gronkowski.

The biggest pats offensive question is - can the o line protect if denver jumps the crossing routes.

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Ochmed Jones said:

The pats defense is going to play manning inside out. I don't think anybody will be surprised by that. Maybe we double Thomas.

The pats offense is going to run tons of crossing routes. Last time we played Denver it was without Edelman. He should open up the seam routes for gronkowski.

The biggest pats offensive question is - can the o line protect if denver jumps the crossing routes.

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Crossing patterns run by a non-Denver team...well we all know what will happen...

Sack Manning's ass 2 or 3 times ... ... that is all.

jimnance said:

"Key to beating Denver?"
Show up. Seriously I'm astounded by s lot of fans here. This game will not be close. Please don't insult my intelligence by bringing up the previous Denver game: no je11, no dola, no high for most of the game,etc. Donkeys best db is playing with one arm- and he relies on pressman. Good luck with that on our physical receivers- all 3 of em are great at breaking away from initial contact at the line. I said it before the kc game- I didn't expect anyone in the AFC to challenge the Pats. Book the damn super bowl. Now that game WILL be a challenge, either way. But all you worriers- chew on this- if the Pats leave Denver reasonably healthy- they WILL be favored( slightly) over both zona and Carolina.

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Finally someone that gets it.

jimnance said:

"Key to beating Denver?"
Show up. Seriously I'm astounded by s lot of fans here. This game will not be close. Please don't insult my intelligence by bringing up the previous Denver game: no je11, no dola, no high for most of the game,etc. Donkeys best db is playing with one arm- and he relies on pressman. Good luck with that on our physical receivers- all 3 of em are great at breaking away from initial contact at the line. I said it before the kc game- I didn't expect anyone in the AFC to challenge the Pats. Book the damn super bowl. Now that game WILL be a challenge, either way. But all you worriers- chew on this- if the Pats leave Denver reasonably healthy- they WILL be favored( slightly) over both zona and Carolina.

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Really? Show up?

I'm all for confidence and I truly believe the Pats will win Sunday, but the Bronco's are at home and we've always struggled at Mile High. They have a great pass rush and good secondary. If we don't turn the ball over and don't give anything up on special teams I think we win, but to act like we have this in the bag is going a bit far. Any given Sunday...

I think manning is due for a couple interceptions of those wobbly ducks

Gronkowski123 said:

stop the run. can't let that get out of control.

otherwise, our defense will be dead going into the 4th quarter.

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We need to score tons of points

dales804 said:

Turnovers. And Ware is playing now for DEN.

Naturally, DEN's run game needs to be contained. But NE will have to tackle well, too, and take good angles to not give up a lot of YAC against Thomas and Sanders. Don't let Manning get any easy, cheap yards. I would love the Pats to get up by 10-14 early and force DEN to start throwing and come up with a few INTs.

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If Pats go up by too much, Denver will pull Manning.

Triumph said:

The last Bronco game NE ran for 39 yards and became 1 dimensional. The Pats converted 2 of 13 3rd downs. Denver still has a ferocious pass rush and IMO will get to Brady. Just hitting him is effective in throwing him off his timing.

Before you bring up the KC pass rush, Hali and Houston were both hurt. Houston barely played but several snaps. The whole premise of my game plan is too convert 3rd downs and establish some semblance of a running game keeping the Pats offense on the field where they can substitute preparing for the 3rd and 4th quarter in the mile high air. KC had the ball for 15 minutes more than NE which will never fly for a NE win in Denver.

The last 2 NE losses in Denver the Pats failed to generate any kind of running attack.

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Have you seen the snap to pass times from the KC game? Most around 2 to sub 2 seconds. Usually takes an outside rusher 3 seconds to get to a QB. If they play their game Miller and Ware will be ineffective, much like they were in the game here last season.

Last seasons game is more of an indicator of how this game will go, with a much lesser Manning.

ViperGTS said:

Have you seen the snap to pass times from the KC game? Most around 2 to sub 2 seconds. Usually takes an outside rusher 3 seconds to get to a QB. If they play their game Miller and Ware will be ineffective, much like they were in the game here last season.

Last seasons game is more of an indicator of how this game will go, with a much lesser Manning.

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KC wasn't jamming at the line.

Denver has a better more healthy pass rush than KC and I doubt they will be as lax as KC when it comes to pressing at the LOS.

shmessy said:

Note carefully: the last game in Denver, the Patriots dressed only 3 WRs named Brandon Lafell, Keshawn Martin and Chris Harper.

I'm all for having a run-pass balance and criticized McDaniels/Brady several times especially in 2013 for forgetting the run - but that was when they actually HAD a running game and a decent offensive line.

I love the Steven Jackson pickup, but he's been out of football for a year, missed OTAs and training camp and is running behind a very young and makeshift line. Whatever he is doing he is doing on talent and size - not on any rhythm and coordination with his blockers.

It's not like when I was calling for more running when we had Blount, Ridley and Vereen back there behind Solder, Mankins, Wendell, Connolly and Vollmer.

It is what it is.

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Its time for Jackson to earn his money and his chance to play in the big dance.

Pass, pass and more pass is the road to ruin.

Triumph said:

Its time for Jackson to earn his money and his chance to play in the big dance.

Pass, pass and more pass is the road to ruin.

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That is certainly my concern as well, but if they convert and produce via the passing game it can lead to points scored.

Common sense tells me they'll need to run in some capacity, but we'll see....

Make Denver one dimensional on offense. You take away the run and force Peyton to be perfect.

On offense, jump out to an early lead. Start fast, make their defense question themselves, and take the crowd out of the game.

Eliminate those turnovers. The Hightower injury in November killed us, but what gave Denver life and momentum was the Harper fumble. Denver had some bull **** luck this year, we can't let them hang around.

If Peyton not perfect on Sunday, I really can't see Denver winning. I think their only chance is if Osweiller plays, and I get the feeling if that happens, it'll be too late for them.

Denver defense is what kept them in games this year, and I think theyve been fortunate to get teams injured. That's not the case Sunday. Not to mention, their best CB Harris is hurt. The more I look at it, they are somewhat overrated. They have great pass rushers, and a good CB tandem, but their LB's and Safeties suck (FU Ward)

Triumph said:

Its time for Jackson to earn his money and his chance to play in the big dance.

Pass, pass and more pass is the road to ruin.

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"Its time for Jackson to earn his money and his chance to play in the big dance."

WHAT??????? This isn't a comic book, this is real life.

He hasn't played in a year. He missed OTA's, training camp and 15 weeks of the season and is just getting acquainted with his OL and their blocking schemes.

Saying "It's time for him to earn his money" is a curious thing to say and more appropriate for a Scott Chandler.

"Pass, pass and more pass is the road to ruin."

Once again, I agree and complained vociferously about it two years ago when they HAD A RUNNING GAME. However, they don't right now. THAT is not Steven Jackson's fault.

That is a result of injuries to Lewis and Blount and the decisions to let Ridley and Vereen go while cutting Gray and Cadet.

Throwing Steven Jackson in there in Week 16 behind a line of Vollmer (out of position), Kline,Stork, Mason and Canon, then expecting anything more than 2-3 yards per carry is unrealistic. If he does it, then that is an INCREDIBLE achievement.

THEN, look at the OTHER team.

Compared to the last game, their front seven is better - - Ware is back. And their secondary is weaker - - Harris is a shell, Bruton and Bolden are IR'ed. Meanwhile, Edelman and Amendola are back. One doesn't need a diagram here.

So, given all that, you are really advising the Patriots to run more??????

I really dont see a point in running jackson at a stout D-line and that being our gameplan. It never really has been against stout D-lines. when we've played buffalo, KC, the jets, seattle last year, the ravens etc. the plan has been time and time again to spread the opposing team out and utilize the quick passing game.

really, with harris playing with one hand or not being able to play at all, it makes even more sense to utilize the quick passing game. im not sure their 3rd, 4th and 5th best corners can cover our 3rd, 4th and 5th receiving options.