Buffalo Breakdown - Away Game

[pats1]

Sticky please.

...

First Half

Kickoff: Faulk from the NE 12, 17 yd. return, Faulk catches the bouncer but is cut down by Sanders’ man.

Offensive Series #1 Touchdown

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 15:00 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 14 plays (5 run, 9 pass), 71 yards (28 run, 43 pass), time of possession was 6:37
Breakdown: 7 green plays (2 run, 5 pass) for 64 yds. (22 run, 42 pass), 1 black play (1 run, 0 pass) for 3 yds., 6 red plays (2 run, 4 pass) for 4 yds. (3 run, 1 pass)

1st and 10 NE 29

Result: Run, Dillon, up the middle, 1 yd.
Offense: 2 WR, Brown tight left, Caldwell wide right, TE Watson down off LT, I-form backfield with Evans at FB and Dillon at RB.
Defense: 4-3, FS tight over Watson, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Brown is speared back on the edge by the FS
Watson stands up the RDE then drives him forward
Light doubles the RDT with Mankins
Mankins drives the RDT off before turning inside
Koppen marks the MLB and chases him outside
Neal turns the LDT inside and across the hole
O’Callaghan is beaten around the corner by the LDE
Evans seals the WLB outside
Caldwell seeks out the LCB

Analysis: While the blockers on the left side got very little push, it’s tough to pin the blame on anyone for this. There was a clear hole created by Neal going inside and O’Callaghan going outside, with Evans and Koppen clearing out the MLB and WLB occupying it. The SLB Spikes simply made a great play to swim through the left side traffic and meet a stuttering Dillon at the point of attack.

2nd and 9 NE 30

Result: Pass, Caldwell, quick sideline hook, 5 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel wide left, Caldwell wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Thomas motion right to left wing, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, FS sets SLB up over Thomas, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light cuts down the RDE on the edge
Mankins is bull rushed back by the RDT
Koppen sits back in reserve
Neal rides the LDT outside
O’Callaghan attempts a cut at the LDE
Coverage: Gabriel clears the RCB out deep
Thomas draws the SLB into the left flat
Watson curls underneath FS and MLB coverage
Dillon steps through the line and underneath
Caldwell does a sideline comeback pattern on the LCB

Analysis: O’Callaghan’s cut block, which was more like a belly-flop, barely made contact with the LDE, but was still successful in drawing the LDE outside, opening a throwing lane. The LCB was playing well off of Caldwell, giving him plenty of room to start, stop and turn at 5 yards, then haul in the spot-on pass before the LCB spins him down.


3rd and 4 NE 35

Result: Pass, Caldwell, quick sideline hook, 6 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Gabriel left slot, Caldwell wide right, Brown motion right slot to wide left, TE Watson standing right wing, Faulk RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, LDE wide, SLB showing blitz over RG, NB shows blitz after Brown motion, both CBS 5 yards off, FS 5+ yards off Brown.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside
Mankins rides the blitzing WLB outside
Koppen stands up the RDT
Neal stands up the LDT
O’Callaghan slides outside to help Watson
Watson rides the LDE outside
Coverage: Brown does a curl with the FS close
Gabriel goes deep in the seam against the RCB
Faulk flares into the left flat uncovered
Caldwell does a sideline comeback pattern on the RCB

Analysis: Buffalo really put the burners on with a speed rush to the outside, but the OL picked it up stride-for-stride. The WLB wasn’t showing blitz at first, but when he started to creep up and Brady noticed, he started coming in. The SLB, who was showing blitz the entire time, backed off on the snap and into coverage. This gave Brady a pristine pocket and clear throwing lane. He would hit Caldwell on the exact same route as the previous play, but with the LCB even softer, protecting against the deep threat with only one deep safety. The NB was bouncing around inside and wasn’t an obstruction to the throw.


1st and 10 NE 41

Result: Pass, Caldwell, Incomplete, sideline fly, pass overthrown.
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel wide left, Caldwell wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Thomas down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB tight over Watson, SS 5 yards off Thomas, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light neutralizes the RDE outside
Mankins and Koppen double the RDT
Neal turns the LDT outside
O’Callaghan sits back in reserve
Thomas stands up the LDE
Coverage: Gabriel goes deep on the RCB
Watson curls with the SLB in tight coverage
Caldwell fakes short then beats the LCB deep
Dillon steps through and underneath

Analysis: After working the RCB with two straight short routes, the Pats looked to beat him deep here. That did happen. Unfortunately, and without any pressure, Brady sailed the throw high. Caldwell extended and left his feet, but still could not reach it. A Brady pump-fake short gave Caldwell a good step on the RCB. This was also a semi-play action, with Dillon stopping besides Brady on the pump before turning underneath. Buffalo’s coverage was concentrated at midfield with 2 LB and 2 S zones, but both CBs were in man.

 

[pats1]

Color and Highlighting

Green Good for New England. Five or more yards on an offensive play or a first down, two or fewer yards on a defensive play or denying a first down. Underlined for big plays.

Black O.K. for New England. Three or four yards on an offensive or defensive play that doesn’t result in or prohibit a first down (a 4 yard gain on 3rd and 5 would be a red play – not black).

Red Bad for New England. Five or more yards on a defensive play or allowing a first down, two or fewer yards on a offensive play or not getting a first down. Underlined for big plays.

Yellow (Highlight) Penalty or injury or editor’s choice for an important note.

 

[BradyManny]

Cool, great stuff. I had forgotten about that Brady overthrow on the first drive, nice to see Caldwell get some separation deep.

What's a sticky and how can one do it? Does a mod have to?

 

[pats1]

Cool, great stuff. I had forgotten about that Brady overthrow on the first drive, nice to see Caldwell get some separation deep.

What's a sticky and how can one do it? Does a mod have to?

A stickied thread means it is "glued" to the top of the page. Yes, it's something only a mod can do (from my experience, just a drop-down box or check-box in a thread)

 

[Lockdown06]

would it be possible to look at and compare defensive series where wilson is in and those with hawk in at FS? I'm curious to see who seems to be playing at a higher level at the moment. - By the way, thanks a ton to the guys that do this, the information provided is awesome.

 

[since67]

- By the way, thanks a ton to the guys that do this, the information provided is awesome.

I second that. I find these breakdowns very informative and interesting. Thanks for the hard work!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

would it be possible to look at and compare defensive series where wilson is in and those with hawk in at FS? I'm curious to see who seems to be playing at a higher level at the moment. - By the way, thanks a ton to the guys that do this, the information provided is awesome.

No need to do a breakdown here - Wilson was injured and Hawkins coming back from injury playing in his place. As soon as Wilson was cleared to play by the medical staff, he was in, Hawkins was back doing situational work.

Folks with more knowledge than Pats1 and I will ever have made an informed decision - Wilson, assuming he is healthy enough, is the starting FS.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[SVN]

good work guys...i have a question for you...you probably broke down all games last yr too...do you guys see and major differences in the defensive coverages and schemes as compared to last yr with pees now in as the D headman...anything noticable or is just last yrs schedule and injuries made the difference ?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

good work guys...i have a question for you...you probably broke down all games last yr too...do you guys see and major differences in the defensive coverages and schemes as compared to last yr with pees now in as the D headman...anything noticable or is just last yrs schedule and injuries made the difference ?

A little of both, injuries severly limited secondary options, there were reports of complaints by the D-line not being turned loose, but Sey was hurt, Vince was learning and overplaying, and the linebacker situation was,um, shaky.

Fast forward to 2006: Rodney comes back at about 80%, Hobbs and Samuel are more experienced, Geno gets to share the load with Rodney. To replace Tedy, they bring in Seau who had some of this in Miami and move Vrabes inside. TBC has stepped it up and can handle starting duties. Wilfork is now a true 3-4 NT, Warren is quicker and has some new rush moves, Sey is Sey - plus, Jarvis is better, Wright has improved and entered the regular rotation. And Tedy comes back. Chad Scott, Artrel Hawkins, Randal Gay, and James Sanders are back and experienced.

Pees starts with more tools, and the right tools at that. Mangini's tour paid off, folks noticed how his defense recovered as the year went on, they played well in Denver despite the offense and special teams mistakes. You have to give him credit for sweeping out Herm's hell house.

Edit: I think his personality (as I interpret it through the TV) seems better suited for being Head Coach. You watch him in a press conference and he is boring the NY media to tears, classic BB, but I think Eric wears it well.

 

[pats1]

Bump to the top...

 

[pats1]

Albert Breer's 'Tale of the Tape:'

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/?p=487

October 24th, 2006
Tale of the tape
Posted by Albert Breer at 1:14 pm

After a second look at the Patriots’ 28-6 win over Buffalo:

– One overlooked aspect of the downfield passing game, as the idea of communication has been well-documented, is the protection. With deeper routes and the quarterback taking a deeper drop and holding the ball longer, it’s essential that the line get a hat-on-a-hat and provide time. Facing four-man rush looks, the Patriots’ line was strong on the team’s two biggest pass plays of the day — the 35-yard score to Chad Jackson and the 31-yard pass down the sideline to Doug Gabriel. But another part of that, too, was that both plays came on first down, which threw the element of surprise in and meant the Buffalo coaches weren’t dialing up anything exotic and the rushers didn’t exactly have their ears pinned back.

– That said, Tom Brady was at his best on third down on Sunday. On most of the nine throws he got off — he was sacked twice in such situations — Brady quickly diagnosed the coverage and found the open man swiftly, in most cases, far before a tough pass rush could get to him. He finished 7-of-9 for 71 yards, a touchdown and six first downs on third down.

– One part of the Patriots’ struggles in the running game had to do with the Bills putting Donte Whitner in the box and, in many cases, right at the line on early downs (that, by the way, also aided in New England making plays downfield.) In that way, Buffalo showed little respect for the Patriot passing game. But another part of the running game’s problems can be correlated to the offensive line scuffling to handle an athletic front, something that’s now becoming a trend. The Bills’ linemen consistently muddled gaps at the line of scrimmage and gave Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney nowhere to go. So when you look at the Colts’ run defense now in two weeks and think that New England will just pave a road over that front, remember that the Indianapolis has just the kind of active line that’s frustrated the Patriots’ offense to this point.

– After watching Ryan O’Callaghan and Matt Light against Chris Kelsay and Aaron Schobel, the same goes for dealing with the Indy pass rush. That’s not to say the Colts will come in and dominate defensively. They’ve struggled far too much for anyone to think anything close to that. It’s just to say that it might be a worse matchup than you’d assume, especially if a hobbled Daniel Graham isn’t back in the fold.

– Maybe the most improved area of this team over last year is in coverage. The Patriots didn’t really throw that much heat at J.P. Losman, sticking chiefly to four-man rush looks and making him go through his progressions. Early on, Losman did have his first read open quite a bit, evidenced by a 9-of-10, 125-yard start. But once the secondary clamped down, you saw a confused quarterback who was given time to operate and check down, and seemed to have little idea of what to do. The real impressive thing was how long the coverage held up, especially as the pass rush struggled to get to Losman a bit.

– It’s a shame that Mike Vrabel’s needed in coverage more now, because he may still be the best pure pass rusher on this team, with an outstanding understanding of pursuit angles and how to set up and beat a blocker. When guard Chris Villarial pealed off to block Vrabel on the edge in the second quarter, the linebacker froze him with a quick inside step, then darted outside right by him and into Losman’s face for the strip-sack. In the process, Vrabel stayed far enough inside to close off a potential lane for Losman to go upfield into. Just a good, disciplined play.

– For the first time this year, the Patriots showed quite a bit of a 3-3 nickel look and kept nose tackle Vince Wilfork — usually not a part of sub packages — in for it. And while Wilfork isn’t going to run by anyone, he serves a nice purpose there. One, he demands a double team, which creates one-on-ones elsewhere. Two, he can get push up the middle, which collapses the pocket and takes away the quarterback’s option to step up.

– The Patriots are fond of saying, in the face of an opponents’ success, that “they get paid too.” So you give credit where it’s due and it says here that there aren’t many better backs in the league than Willis McGahee. His 20-carry, 59-yard performance may not jump off the page. But there are plenty of backs that would’ve had far less than that with the chances McGahee was given. Consistently, the 6-1, 225-pound workhorse churned out extra yards by fighting through tackles and when he did go down, there almost always was three or more defenders surrounding him. Plus, that 56-yard shovel pass shows the big play element to his game. That, folks, is a complete, elite back buried in small market playing against defenses that are just about always geared to stop him, and not the problematic Losman.

...

I'll have the rest of the that 14-play touchdown drive to open the game tonight.

 

[pats1]

2nd and 10 NE 41

Result: End around, Jackson, prior play action to Dillon, 14 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Caldwell wide left, Jackson tight right, 2 TE, Watson down off RT, Thomas down right slot, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB tight over Watson, SS tight over Thomas, RCB press coverage, LCB 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light is left in the dust after diving and missing at the WLB coming inside
Mankins turns the RDT outside
Koppen chips and chases the MLB
Neal thrashes at the LDT, knocking the LDT back and sending Neal to the ground
O’Callaghan stands up the LDE, then falls forward at least towards the SLB
Watson seals the SLB on the backside
Thomas pulls left and doesn’t bother with the RDE inside, but misses the SS forcing Jackson out
Caldwell blocks the RCB ahead of the run
Dillon takes the play action but can’t find a block

Analysis: Watson did a great job of sealing the SLB on the edge to prevent a blow-up, then keeping him there while the rest of the OL was stumbling, tumbling, and chasing. Thomas pulled left and acted as the lead blocker for Jackson, but was a bit indecisive as to which defender crossing the field he’d pick up. It ended up being none, and the SS would force him out around where Caldwell was keeping the RCB contained. The Buffalo LBs bit like crazy at the Dillon play action to the right side.

1st and 10 Buf 45

Result: Pass, Caldwell, screen left, 8 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Caldwell wide left, Jackson right slot, TE Watson down off RT, I-form backfield with Thomas at FB and Maroney at RB.
Defense: 4-3, SS tight over Watson, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside
Mankins comes out but doesn’t find a block ahead of the catch
Koppen is bull rushed back by the RDT
Neal picks up the stunting LDE
O’Callaghan picks up the LDT
Watson runs into an official while heading across
Thomas looks for blocks

Analysis: With both Graham and Mills out, the Pats opted to use Thomas at FB in this situation instead of Evans. On the screen pass, none of Thomas, Watson, or Mankins was able to get out in time to make blocks. With the CBs again playing very soft, Caldwell was targeted short again. He had about a 7 yard cushion from the CB after the catch, and his 8-yard pickup was a resulted from him almost squeezing through the RCB and the WLB.

2nd and 2 Buf 37

Result: Pass, Maroney, dumpoff underneath, 1 yd.
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel tight left, Caldwell tight right, 2 TE, Watson standing left wing, Thomas standing right wing, Maroney lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SS tight on Thomas, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside and behind Brady
Mankins stands up the RDT
Koppen and Neal double the LDT
O’Callaghan rides the LDE outside and back inside
Coverage: Gabriel does a flag route underneath the RCB
Watson is jammed by the SLB outside on his deep route
Maroney comes through the line and sits underneath
Thomas trips coming off the line and falls
Caldwell goes deep

Analysis: The pocket was fine, but Brady decided to step up and almost scramble with a big hole opened to the left. As soon as Brady pumped and slid up into that hole, he saw Maroney free underneath, hit him, but the nearest zoned MLB Fletcher quickly flew up to prevent the first down. Chalk this one up as a mental mistake by Maroney, as he sat underneath a yard or show short of the first down marker. If he had run the route correctly, his forward progress before the hit would have given him the first down. With one receiver on the ground, two others swallowed by deep zones, and the other jammed, Maroney was Brady’s only viable option.

3rd and 1 Buf 36

Result: Sneak, Brady, up the middle, 3 yds.
Offense: WR Jackson wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Thomas down off RT, I-form backfield with Evans at FB and Dillon at RB.
Defense: 4-4, SS tight on Watson, SLB tight on Thomas, LCB press coverage.
Blocking: Watson is pushed inside by the RDE
Light and Mankins double the RDT
Koppen and Neal double the LDT and WLB
O’Callaghan reach blocks the RILB coming in
Thomas reach blocks the LDE coming in

Analysis: Nothing special or unexpected here. Buffalo stacked the box, but their focus was still towards the outside. Mankins, Koppen, and Neal created a wedge of room up the middle for Brady to duck down into, their usual strategy on the sneak. Koppen did a great job of spearing the LDT back before getting a piece of the WLB, while Mankins and Neal sealed the outside. The Buffalo WLB came in very quickly, but the same wasn’t true for the ILBs.

 

[pats1]

1st and 10 Buf 33

Result: Pass, Watson, screen right, under pressure, 14 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel wide left, Brown wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off RT, Thomas motion left to right wing, Faulk lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB slides out over Thomas, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside, then is bull rushed back
Mankins chips the RDT before coming out ahead of Faulk’s screen look left
Koppen chips the RDT before coming out ahead of Watson’s screen right and falling in front of the MLB
Neal chips the LDT before coming out ahead of Watson’s screen right and kicking the SLB out
O’Callaghan is beaten outside by the LDE
Coverage: Gabriel does a quick out
Faulk flares into the left flat
Watson chips the LDE before releasing in the right flat
Thomas immediately looks for blocks
Brown draws the LCB outside on a sideline route

Analysis: A play straight out of 2001, Brady pump faked left to an open Faulk in the left flat before spinning (or doing a pirouette, as Gino put it in the Snow Bowl) and dumping it off to Watson in the right flat. The Gs and C chipped the DTs before coming out ahead to block, but Neal put on the lone block on the right side. His key block sealed the SLB outside, allowing Watson to cut back inside and weave through a sea of blue jerseys for the first down. Thomas was doing what he could to help within that sea. It’s tough to tell because of the camera pan, but it’s possible that Thomas laid an illegal block to the back on the SS after losing his angle. With a wet field, it’s more likely that Whitner just slipped trying to cut downfield. Brady had to get the pass off on his back foot with the LDE in his face, the result of O’Callaghan getting beat outside off the Watson chip. Faulk in at RB on 1st down should have keyed Buffalo that a pass play was coming.

1st and 10 Buf 19

Result: Draw, Dillon, up the middle, 2 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Caldwell wide left, Jackson motion wide to tight right, TE Watson down off RT, I-form backfield with Thomas at FB and Dillon at RB.
Defense: 4-3, SS tight on Watson, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light ole’s the RDE on the edge, winning the inside angle
Mankins seals the WLB outside in the second level
Koppen is knocked backwards at first by the RDT, who overpursues outside after
Neal chips the LDT outside, then seals the SLB
O’Callaghan doesn’t get the angle on the LDT, who makes the stop inside
Watson is driven back by the LDE at first, but then drives him into the ground
Jackson seals the SS outside
Caldwell blocks the RCB
Thomas meets the MLB and turns him outside

Analysis: The dunce cap goes to O’Callaghan on this play, but otherwise the blocking was superb. The draw action drew the RDE and RDT outside, giving Dillon and Thomas some breathing room. All 3 LBs were blocked, and blocked well, leaving just the FS in Dillon’s way if it wasn’t for O’Callaghan failing on the LDT. Even after Neal gave him a head start, O’Callaghan still couldn’t get his massive frame between the LDT and Dillon. Watson shoving the LDE into the block after O’Callaghan started to lose the angle complicated the matter.

2nd and 8 Buf 17

Result: Pass, Caldwell, Incomplete, post pattern, pass dropped.
Offense: 3 WR, Gabriel wide left, Thomas left slot, Caldwell motion left to wide right, TE Watson down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB tight on Watson, SS press on slot, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Light loses ground to a spinning RDE, but steers him inside as Brady sidesteps outside
Mankins and Koppen double the RDT
Neal rides the LDT outside
O’Callaghan rides the LDE outside, but then is beat back inside, falling to his face
Coverage: Gabriel does a short sideline hook underneath the RCB
Thomas doesn’t get separation from the SS on a seam pattern
Watson is jammed by the SLB on his short out
Caldwell beats the LCB inside on a post underneath the FS
Dillon steps through the line and into the WLB

Analysis: The pocket morphed rather quickly, but Brady bought himself plenty of time on a sidestep outside into a void. If he waited any longer, however, he would have been under heavy pressure from the LDE on yet another O’Callaghan miscue. Watson got smothered again by the SLB, while Thomas did too much shakin’ and bakin’ to get away from the SS. That left Gabriel, sitting on the sidelines short, and Caldwell, who had his man beat and was streaking into the endzone. Brady should have hit him in-stride for a touchdown, but instead Caldwell inexcusably let the ball sail straight through his outstretched hands. The FS was too deep for there to be any footsteps factor. Brady may have led Caldwell a bit too much, but it was by all means a catchable ball.

3rd and 8 Buf 17

Result: Pass, Brown, crossing pattern, 9 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Caldwell wide left, Brown right slot, Gabriel wide right, TE Watson standing left wing, RB Faulk to right of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, all 3 CBs 5 yards off.
Blocking: Light is bull rushed back by the RDT
Mankins picks up the stunting RDE
Koppen sits back in reserve
Neal picks up the stunting LDE
O’Callaghan is bull rushed back by the LDT
Coverage: Caldwell stutters and is jammed out of bounds by the RCB
Watson hooks into a void outside of the SLB
Brown finds a void underneath the FS
Gabriel is doubled high/low by the LCB and SS
Faulk wheels underneath

Analysis: Troy was Brady’s obvious go-to choice on 3rd down, especially against a Tampa-2 zone defense like this. The WLB dropped out deep, the FS and SS had deep 1/2s, the SLB was drawn outside by Watson, and the NB played Brown’s outside, opening a big void in the middle that Brown found immediately. Brady led Troy, stationary, inside with the pass, almost a little too much for comfort, as Troy had to dive for it. Helping to create space was the WLB’s slip cutting back upfield on the pass.

 

[pats1]

1st and 8 Buf 8

Result: Pass, Watson, Incomplete, fade route, pass dropped out of bounds.
Offense: WR Caldwell wide left, 3 TE, Thomas down off LT, Watson down off RT, Evans down right wing, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, WLB tight on Thomas, SS tight on Watson, RCB 5 yards off Caldwell, LCB off right edge.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside and behind Brady
Mankins and Koppen double the RDT
Neal stands up the LDT
O’Callaghan rides the LDE outside
Coverage: Caldwelldoes a short hook, covered by the RCB
Thomas beats the WLB deep
Watson works through a SS jam on a flag route to the end zone
Evans does a short crossing pattern picked up by the SLB
Dillon flares into the right flat and is picked up by the MLB

Analysis: Inexcusable route-running by Watson, who straddled the back of the end zone as the pass was in the air, but then swerved completely out once it came down. To make matters worse, he drops it. There was some heavy jamming at the line from the SS Whitner, who seemed more concerned with trying to point out some sort of penalty than actually sticking with Watson. Brady also had Thomas semi-open in the endzone, but Watson was still the better choice until he started to forget there’s a 6-foot wide white border he needed to avoid.

2nd and 8 Buf 8

Result: Run, Dillon, up the middle, 8 yds., TOUCHDOWN.
Offense: 2 WR, Brown tight left, Caldwell wide right, TE Watson down off LT, I-form backfield with Evans at FB and Dillon at RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB and SS tight on left wing, RCB 5 yards off, LCB press coverage.
Blocking: Brown gets a lick on the SS, who doesn’t break free in time to stop Dillon
Watson seals the SLB outside
Light turns the RDT outside
Mankins turns the RDT outside, then kicks the RCB out inside
Koppen chips the LDT, then seals the MLB inside
Neal seals the LDT inside
O’Callaghan seals the LDE outside
Evans seals the WLB outside
Caldwell blocks the LCB

Analysis: There was bit of confusion from the Buffalo defense before the snap, with the SS being motioned over with the SLB, and the WLB and MLB dancing, pointing, and switching positions. The blocks from Brown and Light could have been more sustained, but really all that resulted from them was Dillon claiming two extra victims on his trek to the end zone. Otherwise, the blocking was utterly dominant. The RDE somehow got into the backfield free, but Dillon squeezed by before rumbling forward for the touchdown.

Extra Point

Result: Converted.

Score: New England 7 – Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

1st Drive Observations:

--Very lengthy, but not because of a solid running game. A methodical passing game kept the chains moving.

--O'Callaghan has some work to do. He's good on the drive blocks, but he is routinely beaten by speed rushers. His lone cut block of the drive was mediocre, and his inability to attain an angle with his large frame was the achilles heel of one Dillon run.

--Brady was very sharp, but Caldwell and Watson both made inexcusable mistakes on would-be touchdowns.

 

[BradyManny]

1st Drive Observations:
--O'Callaghan has some work to do. He's good on the drive blocks, but he is routinely beaten by speed rushers. His lone cut block of the drive was mediocre, and his inability to attain an angle with his large frame was the achilles heel of one Dillon run.

Great analysis on the drive, really enjoyed it. Does anyone know when Kazcur is coming back and if he will replace O'Callaghan? And also, will this be an upgrade and will O'Callaghan maintain a role?

 

[pats1]

Defensive Series #1 Field Goal

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 8:23 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 9 plays (6 run, 2 pass, 1 field goal), 58 yards (11 run, 61 pass, -10 penalty, -4 fumble recovery), time of possession was 5:59
Breakdown: 3 green plays (3 run, 0 pass) for -3 yds., 1 black play (1 run, 0 pass) for 3 yds., 5 red plays (2 run, 2 pass, 1 field goal) for 72 yds. (11 run, 61 pass), 10 penalty yards gained for the Patriots.

1st and 10 Buf 20

Result: Run, McGahee, stretch play left, 8 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, 1 wide left, 1 motion right to left slot, 2 TE, 1 down off LT, 1 down off RT, McGahee lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, Colvin slides out over motioned WR, Harrison just behind him, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Seymourslides the LT outside but gets caught up in traffic
Wilfork is pushed down by the C
Warren gets away from the backside TE and pursues
Colvin sets the edge against the TE, but too late
Bruschi engages the LG but sheds and pursues
Seau beats the RT, shoves the RG, and pursues
Vrabel pursues on the backside
Samuel is blocked downfield by the LWR
Harrison is sealed inside by the slot WR
Wilson comes down and pushes the RB out

Analysis: This looks to be some type of miscommunication between Colvin and Harrison, as to who was going to pick up the motioning WR. Colvin backed off the line and outside to pick him up, while Harrison came down. On the snap, Colvin would reach outside to engage the WR, then come back inside. By then, the TE had enough time to get a good angle on Colvin, who also couldn’t get enough upfield penetration to force the run back downfield. McGahee looped around Colvin and a sealed Harrison until he was forced out by the first pursuing defender to the scene: Wilson.

2nd and 2 Buf 28

Result: Run, McGahee, right tackle, 3 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, 1 wide left, 1 motion wide to tight right, TE down off RT, I-form backfield with McGahee at RB.
Defense: 3-4, Harrison comes down over RWR motion while Scott backs off, Samuel 5 yards off LWR.
Blocking: Seymouris sealed inside by the LG
Wilfork gets penetration on the C, but is steered inside
Warren sheds the RT, but is sealed by the RG
Colvin sheds the LT on the backside
Seau meets and sheds the FB backside
Bruschi evades the RT and dives in front of the RB
Vrabel sheds the TE as the RB goes by
Harrison is kicked out by the RWR
Scott sits in front of the run as backup

Analysis: Wasn’t a bad play with only 3 yards gained, but it still surrendered a first down. Warren got caught inside and Harrison kicked outside, opening a hole that would be supported in the secondary by Scott. Bruschi had to jump backwards to avoid the RT, then attack the RB, losing his opportunity to stop the run at the line. Vrabel shed the TE playside to help out.

1st and 10 Buf 31

Result: Pass, McGahee, wheel route right, 5 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, 2 left, 1 right, TE down off RT, McGahee lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, Colvin over slot WR, both CBs 5+ yards off.
Blocking: Seymouris doubled by the LT and LG and pushed wide
Wilfork is stood up by the C
Seau blitzes but is stopped by the RG
Warren is doubled by the RT and TE
Coverage: Colvin jams the slot WR going up the seam
Bruschi sits in a midfield zone
Vrabel sits in a zone inside of the hooking RWR
Samuel covers the LWR deep
Scott sits behind the RWR’s short sideline hook

Analysis: The Bills kept a TE to deal with the pass rush, which was stopped in its tracks. However, all 3 WRs were covered well, so Losman dumped it off to McGahee underneath. Vrabel was playing the short zone of that side of the field, but was protecting against the short RWR route. He came up as soon as Losman started to pass, but couldn’t fully wrap up McGahee. Warren would have to come up from behind to finish him off, but not after an extra yard or two.