http://grantland.com/the-triangle/super-bowl-preview-new-england-patriots-seattle-seahawks/
Step into Belichick’s shoes for a second. If you’re going to try to get at the very essence of the Seattle attack, if you want to attack it at its core — like you’re the football equivalent of Jeff Goldblum’s computer virus — what do you do? Do you go after Lynch, sell out to stop the run in the backfield, and hope your linebackers clean up when Wilson chooses to keep the football? Or do you trust the interior of your line and your linebackers to slow down Lynch and emphasize to your edge rushers and defensive backs that they need to set the edge and contain Wilson at all costs?
The more I think about it, the more I think Belichick will adopt the latter approach. Staying disciplined on defense is obviously key against anybody, but it’s so incredibly important against the Seahawks because of the offense they run and the way they beat people. Avoiding the cut blocks on the backside of Seattle’s zone runs and staying in your lane help prevent Lynch from making those unholy cutbacks that seem to drive so many of his big plays.
That approach also helps keep Wilson from getting on the edge and doing what he does best. The Patriots would much prefer things if Wilson just stayed in the pocket and emulated another great Pacific Northwest quarterback of days gone by, Drew Bledsoe.
The more I think about it, the more I think Belichick will adopt the latter approach. Staying disciplined on defense is obviously key against anybody, but it’s so incredibly important against the Seahawks because of the offense they run and the way they beat people. Avoiding the cut blocks on the backside of Seattle’s zone runs and staying in your lane help prevent Lynch from making those unholy cutbacks that seem to drive so many of his big plays.
That approach also helps keep Wilson from getting on the edge and doing what he does best. The Patriots would much prefer things if Wilson just stayed in the pocket and emulated another great Pacific Northwest quarterback of days gone by, Drew Bledsoe.