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I don't mean a completely obvious defensive scheme, but a few things stand out:
1. This is the first time I recall Manning not having at least three weapons who are elite at their positions (usually he has a star tight end and/or third good receiver.)
2. This is the least threatening Manning has looked when blitzed, due to arm strength, slower footwork, and his overall discomfort in Kubiak's system.
I see this coming down to fundamentals. The Patriots need to tackle, beat their men and shed blockers, set the edge, take good angles, and in the passing game, I think playing a fairly standard man coverage scheme with safety help is the way the Pats could play this one. We saw how Manning used a "trick" by falling down against the Steelers. I think he'll be looking to take advantage of defensive breakdowns and taking advantage when the defense outsmarts itself because he knows 1-2 big plays could win this one, and those aren't likely coming on long downfield throws.
The way the Ravens and Jets beat the Patriots in the playoffs was not by using a complicated scheme but just playing man defense and getting adequate pressure. I think the Pats will let their players beat the Broncos offense and not come out with exotic schemes to try to confuse them. They have the personnel to match up with them favorably.
1. This is the first time I recall Manning not having at least three weapons who are elite at their positions (usually he has a star tight end and/or third good receiver.)
2. This is the least threatening Manning has looked when blitzed, due to arm strength, slower footwork, and his overall discomfort in Kubiak's system.
I see this coming down to fundamentals. The Patriots need to tackle, beat their men and shed blockers, set the edge, take good angles, and in the passing game, I think playing a fairly standard man coverage scheme with safety help is the way the Pats could play this one. We saw how Manning used a "trick" by falling down against the Steelers. I think he'll be looking to take advantage of defensive breakdowns and taking advantage when the defense outsmarts itself because he knows 1-2 big plays could win this one, and those aren't likely coming on long downfield throws.
The way the Ravens and Jets beat the Patriots in the playoffs was not by using a complicated scheme but just playing man defense and getting adequate pressure. I think the Pats will let their players beat the Broncos offense and not come out with exotic schemes to try to confuse them. They have the personnel to match up with them favorably.
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