5 Keys to victory thread
 

1. Protect & Serve-Must protect Brady from the outside rusher,Suggs and Johnson. Blitz pickup is vital and, by the way, don't let them get a push in the middle. The OL, TE, RB's have to make this priority #1.

2. Taylor Made Driver- The Ravens have not given up 100 yards rushing since 200. That's OK, all things must come to an end. Taylor and Co. don't have to get 100 yards, just get enough so they have to respect the run. That will make play action effective.

3. Heaping Helping of Heap- Got to shut Heap off and limit his YAC's. I look for Brandon to be his watch dog.

4.Dink and Dunk- Nothing hurts a good pass rush like a quick release. So, hit quick short passes all the way done the field and don't let Reed get a pick on a long or medium range pass. Welker, if he plays, and endleman would be keys here.

5. Take the Flack- Limit the running game of Willis and Rice and make Flacco beat you with his arm, without Heap.

How does that sound?

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

Sounds like we WIN!!! Go PATS!

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

I might add limiting or stopping the Ravens on first down when they have the ball. They've been doing well on first downs so far this season, usually with a passing play. Put them in a 2nd-and-10 rather than 2nd-and-3.

The other part of that equation is third down defense. Last year it was the Pats' Achille's Heel, but so far this season the Pats rank among the best in the NFL on third down defense (9/30, 30%.) That needs to continue because the Ravens are currently the league's best in converting on third and long (11/23, 48%) through the first three weeks of the season.

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

100% agree.

I think most of the rushing yards will come off of draws. I think they'll spread the Ravens out meaning Faulk will get a lot of snaps.

McGowen based on Atlanta and Gonzalez.

They held Welker in 07 literally on every play and he has the gimpy knee. They need others to help carry this load but I agree with the basic premise.

I would add to point 5 stopping the quick pass. The Ravens have done a great job on first down with play action setting up 2nd and short.

I would also add no turnovers. I know this is true every week but the Ravens are a different team when they don't get turnovers.

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

#1 Key: Have the Pats offense score more points than the Pats D allows

Both these variables are within the Patriots' control. Man, stratigizing in the NFL is SO easy.

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

So the Pats D only allows 13 points, and the Pats offense scores 17 but throws a pic6. :confused:

You might want to qualify your Key to the Game. :D

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

Check. Brady needs to have enough time to find his receivers.

Check. I don't expect the rush to be particularly effective, but, as you say, we have to be able to run enough to make them respect it and enable play action. I would be thrilled to get 80+ tough yards - about half of it on Fred Taylor and Sammie Morris pounding the ball, and the other half on draw plays runs from Faulk and Maroney.

Check. We don't have to be able to run effectively to control the ball, but our short passing game must allow us to dominate the TOP and to keep the pass rush at bay. Besides Welker and Edelman I see our TEs and RBs (mainly Maroney and Faulk) also being key to the short passing game.

Check. Baltimore's WRs don't worry me too much. I think our secondary will be able to keep them from breaking the big play. But I worry about Heap and Ray Rice piling up YAC. McGowan and Meriweather will be key here, along with Adalius Thomas.

Check. We're in trouble in Baltimore can control the ball with their running game and dominate the TOP. If we can control (not shut down, but control) the run and the short passing game and make Flacco beat us deep, then I think we are in good shape. I would also predict a couple of INTs if that occurs.

Darn near perfect. I rearranged the order of your items to group them in terms of offensive (1-3) and defensive (4-5) goals.

I would only add that we need to get some decent pressure on Flacco to limit his options. Not necessarily sacks, but enough pressure that he makes some mistakes.

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

This game will be won by whichever team wants it more. If the Patriots can match Baltimore's alleged toughness, then New England will win.

That, and ball control/turnovers.

In this game, I fully expect that the team which scores last will win.

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

6. Score more points than they do.

(Actually you can just scrap 1-5 as long as you do #6)

Re: 5 Keys to victory thread
 

Hear Hear!!
Give this man a Beer!!:D