Buffalo Breakdown (Dec. 2005)

[pats1]

4/5/2007 Note: Don't mind this thread, just getting some stuff from 2005 online.

First Half


Kickoff: Johnson 29 yd. return from the NE 12 to the NE 41
Bethel brings it up the middle, breaks a few tackles while bursting into the 2nd layer of kick coverage before getting wrapped up by a few Bills.

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT] Offensive Series #1 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 15:00 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 3 plays, -7 yards, time of possession was 1:42

1st and 10 NE 41

Result: Run, Dillon, left tackle, -1 yd.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Brown right slot, Branch wide right, Fauria TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, LBs 5 yards off the line, CBs 5-10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Fauria gets a nice block on a DE, pushing him inside towards the C and away from the play
Ashworth gets a block on the LB on the far side of the field from the play
Mankins drives a DT towards the other side of the field
Hochstein struggles with a DT at first, with back bent backwards, but regains control and pushes the DT to the ground away from the run
Neal pulls behind Mankinsand picks up a LB coming in, getting the LB away just in time as Corey comes up from behind
Gorin is actually initially beat off the edge by the DE, but once the run is spotted, the DE comes back and tries to follow the play, where Gorinquickly stops him, although the DE eventually broke free and ran over to the tackle
Givens trots in stride with Clements towards the run, where Givensinitiates the block but slightly over pursues, allowing Clements to push Givens’ back down from behind and break free. However, the linebacker that Nealcovered squirmed around a bit and forced Corey to make a spin move outside, bumping into Givensin the process and giving Clements more opportunity to break free. Clements would make the lead tackle on Dillonon the edge with both safeties and the DE who broke free from Gorinjust steps behind.
Analysis: The blocking by Givens and in part Neal were the downfall of this play, with Givens overpursuing and having to turn back towards Clements quickly. Since Givens had to plant a foot to turn around, his head went down in an effort to quickly get back to Clements, and Clements was able to just push Givens a tad as Dillon made his spin move straight into Givens. Neal’s block was shaky as well on the LB, who wasn’t able to tackle Dillon but did push around Neal on the ground, initiating Dillon’s spin move. With 4 uncovered tacklers coming at him, Dillon obviously had no chance to break away and let Clements take him down for the loss of 1. The Givens and Neal mishaps were difficult to describe – sorry if I confused you!


2nd and 11 NE 40

Result: Pass, SACKED, Brady by Schobel, -1 yd.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Fauria right slot, Branch wide right, Watson TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB offset right behind RT.
Defense: 4-3, 2 LBs show blitz but back off just before the snap, all 3 CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth slides and rides a DE outside, but a DT gets ahead of Mankins, with the DT pushingAshworthfrom the side. From there, Ashworthhas been pushed downfield and out of place, and Schobel takes the chance to wrap up a scrambling Brady from behind. Ashworthmight have had a slim chance, but that was terminated as soon as he tripped over Mankinsand the DT on the ground
Mankins plays a DT inside too much off the snap and is beaten outside, where he chases the DT, who is now pushing Ashworthwho is already engaged in a block. Just as the DT is making the small push with outstretched arms, Mankinscomes from behind and levels the DT to the ground
Hochstein initially slides behind Mankinsbut will quickly break off and turn back right where he is in the right place in the right time to pick up the other DT from Neal, who is trying to break free with a spin move. Hochsteinwill for the most part sustain this block ahead of Brady’s scramble, although the DT was already heading there as containment
Neal has a pretty good backside block on a DT, and controls a spin move, for the most part, before Hochsteintakes over
Gorin will ride the other DE outside but Dilloncomes out and hits this DE from the side, disrupting Gorin’s block and causing Gorinto be off-balance for a moment. The DE will hit a wobbly Gorinjust once before pressuring Brady from the side and causing the scramble where Schobel quickly wraps up Brady from the other side.
Coverage: Dillon comes up and hits the DE on Gorinquickly before wrapping around behind the line in a route
Watson runs what looks to be a flag pattern towards the near sideline
Givens runs up the near sideline
Fauria and Branch don’t cut inside, within 5 yards (camera view).
Analysis: Mankins looked altogether too aggressive on this play, panicking when his man broke free and started to hit Ashworth, almost causing a spout of anger where Mankins just leveled the rusher. This allowed Schobel to break free, although he made a sack on an already scrambling Brady. This was due to the fact that Dillon for whatever reason, turned the corner by giving Gorin’s man a little shove, totally disrupting what was a good block by Gorin, and allowing the DE to break off and pressure Brady into the scramble. Not good line play at all, especially from a mere 4-man rush.

 

[pats1]

3rd and 12 NE 39

Result: Pass, Davis, Incomplete, 25 yard out.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Givens slot left, Branch and Davis slot right stacked, Fauria TE standing left wing, Dillon RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, DL in DE-DT-DE-DT formation, OLB over left wing showing blitz, SS over left tackle at line showing blitz, LB runs in on the snap over right wing in a blitz, coverage 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Fauria was looking to block either the OLB or SS who were showing blitz, but as neither did, Fauriastood idle on the edge and gave the stunting DT (actually a DE playing as a DT) to Dillon, who was to Faurialeft in the backfield
Ashworth helps jam the DE in towards the other side of the line before breaking off and following that stunting DT, and Ashworthhits him right next to Brady, to Brady’s left, possibly leveling the DT and possibly, but not definitely forcing a hasty throw from Brady
Mankins helps jam the defensive line over towards the Gorin/Nealend
Hochstein tries to get a shoulder on a delayed blitzer who came in behind the LB right wing blitzer, but did this in vein, although it was a very incidental occurrence, with basically a huge mass of blockers and rushers to Brady’s right, with no real 1v1 blocking
Neal holds a DE fairly well but will get pushed around by the said mass of blockers and rushers
Gorin will pick up the blitzing LB on the edge and push him into said blitz containment mass
Dillon slides behind the line and picks up the stunting DT that Fauriadidn’t bother to pick up. Dillonwill lower his shoulder into the rusher but will get absolutely manhandled, with the DT just pushing Dillonaside with ease. Ashworthwould pick up this free DT at the last possible second before a sack.
Coverage: Givens takes a 20 yard cut inside but the TV view doesn’t allow for really any view of coverage from behind, although it was clear Givens had no coverage in front of him on the cut inside
Branch takes a 10 yard hook along the sidelines and has a single coverage man right on his back
Davistakes a 25 yard out breaking towards the far sideline and gets a perfect Brady strike right to his chest, but on a perfectly timed play by his coverman, Terrence McGee, an arm wrapped around and forcefully knocked the ball away from Davis’ chest at the perfect moment to send it bouncing away.
Analysis: On the blocking, there was great blitz containment on the right side of the line, basically just jamming as many rushers into each other to force commotion and allow Brady time to throw. However, Fauria wasn’t quick enough to slide and pick up a stunting rusher, and Dillon was unusually manhandled. Fortunately, Ashworth saw the play in his peripheral vision and got that free man away from Brady, allowing time for a perfect pass by Brady. Looking at the coverage, it looks like there were 4 defensive backs plus a linebacker in coverage, with the safety Vincent playing deep right behind Davis’ route, Milloy on Givens (possibly), a DB (possibly) on Branch, and the lone LB (probably) floating around behind the line. It looks like Brady could have lead Givens with a pass, but Davis was also in single coverage with a 10 yard longer route. But what it boils down to was a great defensive play made by McGee, with Davis and Brady unable to do anything about it.


4th and 12 NE 39

Result: PENALTY on NE-J.Miller, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at NE 39 - No Play
Offense: Punt formation

Notes: Izzo, as the special teams captain, was behind the line barking out signals and had just settled back into place as the time expired. An unexpected return formation from Buffalo could have possibly been the cause.
4th and 17 NE 34

Result: Punt, Miller, to the Buf 25, Parrish gets the punt right at the sideline and is tripped up by Stone very quickly before Izzo finishes him off, 41 yd. punt, 2 yd. return.

Score: New England 0 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Defensive Series #1 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 13:18 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 3 plays, 0 yards, time of possession was 1:10

1st and 10 Buf 27

Result: Run, McGahee, left guard, 0 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, one left, one right, 2 TE, one down off LT, one down left wing.
Defense: 3-4, McGinest and Colvin showing blitz, 2 CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Warrenwill rush the edge and seeing the run to the other side of the line will work his way towards the center of the field, but the RT won’t let him get there. Warren will eventually break free, but after the tackle is made
Wilfork doesn’t get much penetration on the C off the snap, but will slide off the block as McGahee gets the initial hit, where Wilfork will help push around the tackle pile to ensure there is no gain on the play
Seymour is double teamed off the snap by the LT and the inside TE, but holds his ground with a surfboard/surfer position before pushing one of his blockers into McGahee coming into the line, where Seymour breaks off and finishes dragging McGahee down
McGinest won’t blitz and will slide behind the line where he’s blocked by the RG coming out – won’t factor in play.
Vrabel slides behind Bruschi and will be engaged by the LG who keeps Vrabel at bay for a moment, but Vrabel will shed the block and check to make sure McGahee is down
Bruschi stutters behind the line for a moment watching for blocks before coming towards the run, where he has to spin to elude the C, who is struggling to contain Wilfork. Bruschi will then help push the McGahee and his blockers towards Seymour for the tackle
Colvin will get pushed slightly downfield with a strong block from the outside TE
Stone comes up and is blocked by the LWR just next to the tackle
Hobbs is free and waits behind the play incase McGahee breaks loose.

Analysis: This play demonstrated pure dominance on Seymour’s part, just an immovable object at the line that translated into the tackle. The shedding of blocks by Wilfork and Bruschi helped out.

2nd and 10 Buf 27

Result: Pass, Parrish, Incomplete, 10 yard out.
Offense: Shotgun 5 WR, 2 left, McGahee in left slot, 3 right, TE in right slot, WR (Parrish) on right wing.
Defense: 3-4, Seymour playing yards outside of the LT, McGinest on the TE in the right slot, Colvin on McGahee in the left slot, Bruschi shading towards the side with the
3 WR, Vrabel playing almost as a safety, 10 yards off the line straight over center.
Blocking: Warren stunts behind Wilfork but hits the LG, so Warren turns back and follows Losman scrambling away from Seymour about 10 yards downfield (from the scramble)
Wilfork is double teamed by the RG and C before breaking off to follow Losman’s scramble about 10 yards downfield of it
Seymourbursts off the edge and gets wide enough of the LT so the LT is no longer in between Seymour and the QB. Unfortunately for Sey, the LT gets just enough push for that Seymour is too far behind Losman, buying time for a scramble. This added time allows Losman to throw the ball instead of being sacked, although Seymour slams the young QB to the ground just after the throw.
Coverage: McGinest jostles with the TE in the right slot at the line before releasing him to the deep coverage
Colvin jostles McGahee in the left slot at the line before McGahee breaks free and takes a short hook pattern, where Colvin knocks McGahee around some more as Losman scrambles
Bruschi hits Parrish on the hinge of the out route, but will release him to McGinest, who releases Parrish to Samuel, a chain of releases following Losman’s scramble
Samuel bumps around the wide right receiver Evans at the line before floating around watching Losman’s scramble. Samuel will come up and smashes Parrish to the ground just barely out of bounds, a play which could have possibly been unnecessary roughness
Hobbs stays with his man down the far sideline
Vrabel keeps watch on Losman behind a hole that could have been exploited by Losman on a sneak because of Seymour’s rush. But it was Seymour’s rush that kept Losman from exploiting the hole, as he ran towards the heavily covered side of the field.

Analysis: Another great play by Seymour here. The offensive didn’t display too much wit pitting a lone offensive lineman on Seymour in a wide-open, blindside edge. Excellent zone coverage on the side of the field where Losman was forced to throw.

3rd and 10 Buf 27

Result: Pass, Reed, Incomplete, 15 yard out.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, 2 left, 2 right, Shaud Williams RB to left of Losman in the shotgun.
Defense: 3-3-5 nickel, McGinest and Green at DE, Seymour at NT, Vrabel showing blitz right wing, Colvin showing blitz over center, Bruschi set for coverage over left slot receiver, all coverage, including 5th DB Sanders 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Vrabel gets a great burst off the right edge and faces minimal, half-hearted resistance from the pulling RG before chasing down Losman and tripping him up on the far hash marks. Losman will regain his footing and face more resistance before throwing
McGinest stunts around Green but gets caught up in the Seymour/Colvin rush and is picked up by the LG and LT
Seymour tries the C outside towards the near sideline but is pushed away from the play as Vrabel is chasing Losman out of the pocket
Colvin initially is engaged by the LG but breaks off just as McGinest stunts into the LG, freeing Colvin to follow the scramble and pressure Losman into making the poor throw, before slamming Losman to the turf after the throw
Green stunts the LT inside and is freed when McGinest makes his stunt. Green is free in the Buffalo backfield but Vrabel has already flushed Losman out
Bruschi is engaged by the RB on the edge but spins off the block on the scramble and helps Colvin pressure Losman into the poor throw.
Coverage: Sanders is playing behind the linebackers and follows the scramble, pressuring Losman alongside Bruschi and Colvin forcing the poor throw
Wilson and Poteat are playing in 15 yard zones in the middle of the field, and pick up crossing patterns from the wide left receiver and the right slot receiver
Hobbs follows Reed’s out tightly towards the sideline and there’s no need to make any play as the forced poor throw sails wide ‘n’ high of the receiver into the bench area.

Analysis: Great example on mixing up of fronts by the Pats, with McGinest freeing Green and Colvin, Seymour taking up space, and Vrabel facing light single blocking to get to Losman and flush him out. Bruschi breaks off his block, and is accompanied by the quick Sanders and freed Colvin to force Losman to throw a wide and high pass to Reed, who was tightly covered by Hobbs. Even with Poteat and Sanders and Hobbs in there, it’s clear this Patriots defense can still function, and at a high level.

4th and 10 Buf 27

Result: Punt, Moorman, to the NE 22, Dwight evades one tackler before slipping on the wet turf, 51 yd. punt, 14 yd. return.

Note: Throughout the game, the Pats would play Dwight as the deep punt returner and Brown as the short, just in case the snowy weather were to knock down any punts to the short man, Brown. This would happen once or twice in the game.

Score: New England 0 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Offensive Series #2 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 12:08 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 3 plays, 1 yard, time of possession was 1:30

1st and 10 NE 36

Result: Pass, Dillon, screen right, 5 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Branch wide right, Watson right slot (came in motion from left wing), Fauria TE down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, LB over Watson in the slot, CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth attempts the chop on the DE playing wide, but it will fall short and the DE just has to scoot out of the way and has to free path to Brady, but the screen pass into the flats didn’t give the DE time to get to Brady, but Mankins had noticed and knocked the DE behind Brady just after the throw
Mankins lightly gives a DT to Hochstein before noticing the free DE on the edge and running back to hit him behind Brady and after the throw
Hochstein handles a DT pretty well, despite looking to lose control for a moment or two
Neal’s man, the other DT, is able to break outside of Neal and push him into the backfield, but Brady’s throw comes quick enough for this is not a factor
Gorin tries to chop the other DE on the edge but the DE keeps solid footing the whole time. Although, the screen pass comes straight over this DE’s head, and the DE is too far away to make a play since he had to evade Gorin’s chop. The DE will chase the play but is unable to make a tackle
Watson comes out and is seen driving his LB coverage man to the ground wide of Dillon’s run-after-catch
Fauria comes out and follows the SS Milloy downfield from the play
Givens and Branch are downfield from the play, Givens on the other side of the field as well
.
Analysis: Dillon’s release into the flats and subsequent screen pass was probably scripted, as opposed to forced by pressure or good coverage. Watson made a good block on one LB, but for some reason, Fauria was assigned (probably) to block Milloy downfield of the play, instead of the two free LBs. One, Fletcher, would follow the play and make the tackle on Dillon along the sidelines after the 5 yard run-after-catch, and another, Crowell, wouldn’t be far behind, along with DE Kelsay, who followed the play from behind after an unsuccessful chop block by Gorin. The play wasn’t perfect, but 5 yards isn’t too bad.

2nd and 5 NE 41

Result: Run, Dillon, right tackle, -4 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Brown left slot, Branch wide right, Watson TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, 2 LBs shaded weak side and somewhat showing blitz, Milloy in the box strong side over Watson, all 3 CBs playing at the “yellow” first down line.
Blocking: Watson tries to drive the DE inside and downfield, but overpursues and has to turn around and try to block the DE from behind heading towards the play, but the tackle is being made before even the DE can get over there
Ashworth drives a DT inside and downfield
Mankins comes out and drives the LB on the strong side (away from the run) downfield
Hochstein gets the other DT off the snap but is pushed to the ground, although the DT is still at the line of scrimmage and away from the play
Neal can’t contain the other LB blitzing straight at him and blows the block, with the LB wrapping up Dillon behind the line. Neal wasn’t square to the line and was angled as to provide an opening for the blitzer to push Neal aside like a Saloon door
Gorin can’t contain the DE on the edge long enough, and just as the LB blitzer breaks free, the DE does as well, with the duo converging on Dillon deep in the backfield

Analysis: Great blocks by Watson, Ashworth, and Mankins were negated by a single poor play by Neal. All it took was the blitzing LB to blaze right through with minimal resistance, and a supplementary rusher from the edge to ensure the tackle for a loss.

3rd and 9 NE 37

Result: Pass, Watson, Incomplete, 10 yard post.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Given wide left, Brown left slot, Branch wide right, Watson TE left wing standing, Faulk RB to right of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, DL with 3 DE’s but in a regular formation, LB showing blitz over right wing, Milloy in box showing blitz over left guard, CB pressure coverage over Branch but CBs over Givens and Brown 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth slides outside with the DE and picks him up just to the left of Brady, with Ashworth holding the block tight
Mankins comes inside and follows a DT from behind as the DT tries to break into the backfield, but with a fairly quick throw only a hand in the air by the DT can be mustered running into traffic
Hochstein is pushed into the backfield by a DT (actually a DE) but recovers and holds his ground from there far away from Brady
Neal is faced with a stunting rusher and loses ground, getting pushed right into Brady’s face just before the throw
Gorin rides a blitzing LB wide of Brady
Faulk comes up and picks up another blitzing LB without losing ground
Coverage: Watson gets a step on Milloy going downfield on the post, but the throw comes in too short and too low, allowing Milloy to take advantage of his position and break up the pass
Givens takes an in route at about 10 yards
Brown takes an out route at about 5 yards
Branch goes deep beyond Watson

Analysis: While there was a lot of bodies and arms flailing just in front of Brady, there was no imminent pressure that really forced this poor throw. If Brady had put more under it to take advantage of Watson’s position beyond Milloy, Troy Vincent was floating between Watson’s and Branch’s routes and it would have been a risky pass requiring the threading of a needle. Good coverage though, on the Bills’ part.

4th and 9 NE 37

Result: Punt, Miller, to the Buf 32, the shanked punt comes underneath the return man and is downed by Izzo, 31 yd. punt, 0 yd. return.

Score: New England 0 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Defensive Series #2 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 10:38 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 4 plays, 46 yards, time of possession was 1:32

1st and 10 Buf 27

Result: Pass, Evans, sideline fly, 58 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, one wide left, one right slot (Evans, came in motion from left slot), 2 TE, one down off LT one down off RT, lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: LG pulls right
Warren is double teamed by a TE and RT and doesn’t get any penetration until the throw
Wilfork is double teamed by the RG and C and doesn’t get any penetration
Seymour is double teamed by the LT and a TE and can’t get any penetration on Losman, who has already rolled out to the other side of the field
McGinest has no blocker as the TE goes inside, but the LG pulls and is waiting for McGinest, who rather elects to slide back inside as the pass is thrown
Bruschi tries to spin through the line but can’t in time
Coverage: Colvin drops back into a short zone
Vrabel takes off running deep down the middle of the field in a zone
Hobbs and Wilson follow the other WR tight in a post pattern across the middle
Samuel stays with Evans most of the way up the sideline with a lot of hand-jostling, but Evans will break loose with a quick burst right as the perfectly thrown loft pass comes in
Stone doesn’t come over to the play until just before Evans catches it, where Stone makes the tackle from behind

Analysis: This is one of the minimal times where Losman can hurt you. Without any pressure and only 2 receivers, both going deep, a loft pass with speedy receivers can be deadly. Evans showed that last little burst and Samuel just couldn’t catch up to it. Great pass, great WR speed = not too much a corner playing 1v1 man basically the entire time can do.

1st and 10 NE 10

Result: PENALTY on BUF-M.Gandy, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at NE 10 - No Play.

1st and 15 NE 15

Result: Run, McGahee, left tackle-to-right guard counter, -2 yds.
Offense: 2 WR left, TE down off RT, FB weak side.
Defense: 3-4, Colvin showing blitz, CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: McGinest is blocked off the edge initially by the TE before breaking off as the run countered to the right side, where McGinest grabbed hold of McGahee’s shoulder pad but tripped over Wilfork on the ground and lost grip, although McGahee would be wrapped up a moment later
Warren scorches the RT outside and gets behind the run, but on the counter-action right, Warren is left out of position away from the play
Wilfork beats the RG outside as the run comes to the right, and Wilfork dives for McGahee’s feet but can’t wrap him up in the backfield
Seymour is double teamed off the snap by the LG and LT, but the LT will release and Seymour breaks loose of the LG on the counter-action right, and will follow the play and help on the tackle for a loss
Colvin gives a shoulder to the FB but will be blocked after that
Bruschi bobs around behind the line and doesn’t allow the disoriented C to block him as Bruschi follows the run and helps out a little with the tackle
Vrabel is pushed downfield by the LT
Samuel beats the slot WR Aiken inside but is dragged from behind by the jersey and then pushed to the ground long after McGahee was down, on two pretty blatant uncalled penalties
Stone flies in on the counter-action and trips up McGahee after McGinest and before Seymour makes the finishing blow

Analysis: McGahee first had to evade Warren in the backfield which allowed a once-open hole on the left side to close and forced McGahee to pull it back right, where blocks failed and the tackle was made. Borderline incidental was what I believe are two uncalled penalties on #89 WR Aiken, who got beat by Samuel on the left edge and committed what looked to be a holding penalty and then an unnecessary roughness, late hit penalty. Samuel was trailing just behind McGahee as well before the hold.

2nd and 17 NE 17

Result: Pass, Aiken, Incomplete, 10 yard post, overthrown.
Offense: 3 WR, 2 left, 1 right slot, TE down off RT, lone RB.
Defense: 3-3-5 nickel, McGinest-Seymour-Green line, Vrabel right wing showing blitz, Colvin left wing showing blitz, Poteat press coverage on the left slot WR, Hobbs and Samuel 10 yards off the line, Sanders and Wilson safeties.
Blocking: Vrabel slides outside and waits for McGinest to form a hole by riding the RT outside. Vrabel will go through the hole, but Poteat is already on top of Losman by that time
McGinest rides the RT outside before the RT releases and McGinest is picked up by McGahee on the edge
Seymour jostles and gets penetration on the RG before the throw
Green is double teamed by the LG and LT, the LT turning inside to follow Colvin on a stunt behind Green and then blocking Green, oblivious to Poteat coming in free off the edge
Colvin stunts behind Green but is picked up by the C
Bruschi comes in to watch McGahee but comes back when the ball is thrown
Poteat comes flying in off the edge uncovered and slams Losman to the ground, forcing an overthrown loft that would have earned the Bills 3 points if the rules were different.
Coverage: Samuel lightly follows behind the right slot receiver cutting across the middle
Hobbs follows in stride with Aiken into the endzone, and feet get tangled at the goal line, resulting in an Aiken slowdown and Hobbs staggering forward to regain balance, although the throw was far, far beyond either
Wilson picks up the slot receiver in a flag pattern to the pylon
Sanders picks up the TE coming out in a go pattern.

Analysis: A nicely drawn up play by the Pats here, with Colvin distracting the LT into Green, freeing Poteat for the blitz. McGahee was in blitz protection on the other side of the line, watching the young RT Peter’s back against the seasoned vet Willie. Because of this as well, Poteat was able to come in without facing resistance by McGahee. If the ball wasn’t overthrown due to the pressure, the tangle of feet at the goal line would have probably yielded an incomplete pass anyways.

 

[pats1]

3rd and 17 NE 17

Result: PENALTY on BUF-C.Villarrial, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at NE 17 - No Play.

3rd and 22 NE 22

Result: Pass, INTERCEPTED by Samuel, intended to Aiken, TOUCHBACK.
Offense: 2 WR, one left slot, one left wing (Evans, coming in motion from right slot), TE down off RT, FB strong side.
Defense: 3-4, Colvin showing blitz, Stone in the box off right wing showing blitz, Wilson on the fringes of the box next to Vrabel watching WR Evans in motion, Samuel 10 yards off the line, Hobbs deeper, behind Samuel.
Blocking: McGinest stunts behind Warren but can’t get any penetration before the pass
Warren forces through the RT inside, getting penetration and a hand in Losman’s face on the throw
Wilfork is double teamed by the RG and C but pushes them both back towards Losman before breaking off on the pass
Seymour beats the LG outside but is picked up by the LT wide of Losman, the LT breaking off a block on Colvin
Colvin is blocked by the LT but when the LT releases to pick up Seymour, Colvin gets his arms up but can’t tip the pass
Bruschi stutters in watching his assignment, the FB before the pass is thrown and Bruschi breaks off
Stone blitzes off the edge and is picked up by McGahee, but Stone sheds the block in a second but is unable to get a hand on the pass being thrown away from Stone
Coverage: Vrabel drops back into a zone
Wilson breaks off into a deep zone in the middle of the field
Samuel doesn’t bother with the short out by Evans and instead drops back into the endzone on the throw forced in haste due to pressure. Losman throws the floater to Aiken breaking free from Hobbs in the endzone towards the left corner, but Samuel is waiting for the ball to come down straight into his arms, with Aiken unable to catch up to the pass
Hobbs follows Aiken into the endzone but is trailing the whole way, only saved by the lofted ball and Samuel’s position
Analysis: There was some heavy pressure, but none imminent on Losman. The ball would be lofted towards the corner of the endzone, as Aiken had multiple steps on Hobbs and was breaking for that area, but Samuel was sitting in a zone, possibly unnoticed by Losman. Thrown too wide for Aiken, Samuel wouldn’t have to battle Aiken for the ball, but instead just wait as a practical punt returner. Aiken caught up after the catch and knocked Samuel out of bounds for the touchback.

Score: New England 0 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Offensive Series #3 Touchdown

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 9:06 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 8 plays, 80 yards, time of possession was 3:33

1st and 10 NE 20

Result: Pass, Watson, 10 yard hook, 11 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 5 WR, Dillon wide left, Branch left slot, Watson right wing, Givens right slot, Fauria wide right.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, Schobel standing up over LT, LB Fletcher 5 yards off Watson, Crowell 10 yards off Branch, CBs 10-15 yards off the line, except for the DB on Givens, who is just a few yards off the line.
Blocking: One DT drops back into a short zone
Ashworth rides the DE Schobel outside
Mankins helps Hochstein double team a DT, but the trio gets awful close to Brady
Hochstein helps Mankins double team a DT, but the trio gets awful close to Brady
Neal has no man to block due to the zone by the DT, and will slide back to help Gorin as needed
Gorin rides the other DE behind Brady and doesn’t need the help of Neal.
Coverage: Dillon does some type of sideline route, with no noticeable cut in
Branch is heading downfield, covered lightly by LB Crowell before the pass
Givens goes deep
Fauria does a short hook without any coverage
Watson does a 10 yard hook just beneath LB Fletcher and will catch the ball, turn, and dive forward during the tackle for the first down.

Analysis: Nothing complex here, just Brady right on target to Watson on the hook with a nice little effort for the first down.

1st and 10 NE 31

Result: Run, Dillon, left guard, 4 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Davis and Givens stack left wing, Branch wide right, Fauria in motion to behind LT, standing, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CB over Davis pressure coverage, other 2 CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth will drive a DT inside away from the play before the play moves left and Ashworth is trampled to the ground
Mankins works off the driving of the DT inside and sustains a pretty nice block away from the play on that DT
Hochstein gets a good block off the snap on the other DT, but will lose it as the run moves left and will have to chase down that DT, although it is a few yards downfield of the tackle
Neal pulls left and drives a LB that moved into the hole out of it, although Neal turns too wide and falls to his face
Gorin starts off with a nice block on the DE before he loses it, although this is on the other side of the field from the play and the DE is unable to get over
Givens holds the left side of the hole by blocking his man, the CB playing wide
Davis sustains a great block on the NB and drives the NB far out of the hole
Fauria will drive the DE out of the hole, into the lines before pushing him to the ground behind the play.

Analysis: Not a bad play here, as all the possible blocks were made, leaving a free Crowell and Milloy to make the tackle. A larger hole and more sustained blocks would have gotten this play into the 7-10 yard range, however.

2nd and 6 NE 35

Result: Pass, Watson, 10 yard out, 10 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 5 WR, Branch wide left, Faulk left slot, Watson right wing, Givens right slot, Brown wide right.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, DL in DT-DE-DE-DT formation (personnel-wise), LBs shading towards the side with 3 WR, LB over Watson showing blitz, Milloy creeping in the weak side of the box, CBs playing 5+ yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth will knock a DE (actually a DT) inside before picking up a stunting DT (actually a DE) on the edge and riding him behind Brady during the throw
Mankins won’t really have a man and will float behind Hochstein
Hochstein drops back before picking up a DE (DT) who Ashworth released
Neal will get pushed into the backfield by a DE (actually a DT), but will hold his ground long enough for the pass
Gorin initially tries to help Neal with that DE (actually a DT) but once a DT (actually a DE) stunts around the line and comes in to Gorin’s right, Gorin will have to pick him up, leaving a blitzing LB free to come in and hit Brady just after the throw
Coverage: Faulk does a short hook and is picked up from behind by Milloy
Watson takes the LB Crowell inside a tad before breaking outside and catch a pass in stride, turning the corner and just getting tripped up at the feet enough by Crowell to come down
Brown takes a sideline hook route, with a CB fairly tight
Givens and Branch go deep

Analysis: The Patriots did a nice job of picking up a Bills attack where Mankins was left without a man when the right side of the line was overloaded and the edges attacked, one of those attacks being semi-successful with the LB hitting Brady after the throw. Watson exploited the LB with a quick outside move, and a pass in stride from an undeterred Tom Brady, facing a free blitzer in his face. Nice play all around to keep the drive rolling.

1st and 10 NE 45

Result: Pass, Watson, Incomplete, 5 yard drag into the left flat.
Offense: 2 WR, Davis slot left, Branch slot right, Fauria TE down off RT, Watson TE standing left wing, Cloud lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, Posey left wing showing blitz, Fletcher runs up to line on the snap showing blitz, CBs 5+ yards off the line.
Blocking: DE over Fauria will drop into a zone
Ashworth will pickup the blitzing LB Posey on the edge and ride him dangerously close to Brady, with Posey almost getting a hand on the ball
Mankins struggles a bit with the DE, but holds his ground long enough
Hochstein double teams a DT with Neal
Neal double teams a DT with Hochstein
Gorin holds the edge against a stunting DT
Cloud comes up and chops the blitzing LB Fletcher to the ground between Ashworth and Mankins.
Coverage: Fauria will have no man to block so he releases into the flats
Branch takes a deep post pattern
Watson will take a 5 yard drag into the flats, with Milloy trailing by a step from 2 o’clock. The ball is thrown high and wide, but Watson takes a short leap and has two hands on the ball near his chest, but the ball manages to scoot through.

Analysis: Facing a 5-man rush, the offensive line did a nice job holding steady. Ashworth did come dangerously close to Brady, and thus Brady was forced to make a noticeablely hasty throw (even though somewhat unneeded). Some of the blame has to go to Watson too, as this was by all means a catchable ball. Watson didn’t look comfortable jumping and was more concerned about landing safely near the sidelines than catching it.

Note: CBS spent too much time on a close-up of London Fletcher, and the pre-snap formations were lost.

 

[pats1]

2nd and 10 NE 45

Result: Pass, Branch, 20 yard seam, 22 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, Branch left slot, Givens left wing (in motion from behind Branch), Brown and Watson stack right wing, Dillon RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, DE-DE-DT-DE formation, with Adams as the DT, CBs 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth follows a spin move from the DE, a spin move that causes the DE to slip to the ground in front of Ashworth
Mankins holds a DT (actually a DE) tight at first, but the DT (actually a DE) is able to start powering into the backfield as the ball is thrown
Hochstein and Neal double team the DT Adams without any penetration
Gorin rides a DE outside without any penetration
Dillon sticks around with Brady but there is no blitz to pickup.
Coverage: Givens does a short cut across the middle, underneath the LBs
Brown does a short cut across the middle, underneath the LBs
Watson takes it downfield and has a CB trailing tight and a safety up ahead
Branch has a CB sticking tight behind him and a NB floating to his side, as well as a safety in front, but Branch still manages to weave his way through, and grabs the bullet pass out of the air and in he blink of an eye pulls it down to his chest, where he’s wrapped up by the CB on him.

Analysis: Branch and Brady were the simple keys to this play, with Brady providing the bullet pass and Branch the skills to weave through coverage and snatch it out of the air. Excellent pocket protection secured the possibility for this showing of talent.

1st and 10 Buf 33

Result: Pass, Brown, 15 yard out, 16 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, Brown left slot, Watson left wing, Givens right wing, Branch right slot, Dillon RB to right of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, both LBs come up to line showing blitz but back off on the snap, SS walks into box over Watson but comes back out, other CBs 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth rides a DE outside and doesn’t allow for the cut-back
Mankins holds a pretty good block on a DT in front of Brady
Hochstein slides behind Mankins, who needs no help, then Ashworth, who needs no help, with Hochstein just looking on from there
Neal rides a DT outside and doesn’t allow for penetration
Gorin rides a DE outside and doesn’t allow for penetration
Dillon will come out of blitz protection and sit underneath wide open.
Coverage: Watson shakes ‘n’ bakes Milloy, who releases Watson to Vincent deep. Milloy will break off but won’t get to a wide open Brown in time
Brown will take a hook/out route along the sideline and will sit wide open for a moment while the pass is in the air, with CB Clements 10 yards downfield and running in, SS Milloy breaking off Watson and 10 yards away, and LB Crowell 15 yards away in a zone. Brown makes a the textbook stomach catch and backsteps out of bounds
Branch and Givens occupy 2 CBs and a LB on the other side of the field with one out and one deep route.

Analysis: Usually, when a team rushes 4 men and there is all the time in the world for a quarterback, you don’t expect there to be receivers open with defenders 10 yards away. This happened here, and the dependable vet Brown made the openfield catch for yet another first down. The offensive line allowed for zero penetration, and other receivers ate up DBs to free Brown.

1st and 10 Buf 17

Result: Pass, Watson, 10 yard out, 14 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Branch wide left, Givens right slot (in motion from left slot), Fauria TE down off RT, Watson FB strong side, Dillon RB.
Defense: 4-3, LB over Fauria, Milloy comes sprinting in on the snap showing blitz, CBs 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth taps the DE inside before noticing Milloy and breaking off. Ashworth will dive at Milloy’s feet and just hit him enough to send Milloy off-balance for a moment, and buying Brady the time to fire it to Watson. Ashworth would be on the ground because of this, though
Mankins lightly taps around a DE who can’t get around Mankind
Hochstein rides a DT outside and releases him to Neal, who will push the DT to the ground, as Neal releases his own DT, who Hochstein picks up as the throw is being made
Neal rides a DT outside before he releases that DT to Hochstein and picks up Hochstein’s DT, whom Neal pushes to the ground
Gorin rides a DE outside and behind Brady
Dillon steps up in blitz protection, but with no immanent blitzers, will release underneath.
Coverage: Branch takes it deep to the endzone
Fauria takes a short drag towards the sidelines, doing some slight jostling with the OLB
Givens takes a wheel pattern behind Watson into the endzone
Watson comes out from the FB position and through the lines, picking up a LB cover man in the process, but taking the quick out route, catching a perfectly thrown pass, and turning the corner for an extra 3 or 4 yards.

Analysis: Facing a 4-man rush and one blitzing safety, 4 Pats receivers had 1v1 coverage along with a short and deep middle of the field zone. 3 of the 4 patterns, the 3 on the right side of the field, took out routes towards the sidelines, away from the 2 zones. 2 of these were LB vs. TE matchups, 1v1. Brady picked the ideal matchup, a 4.4 40 Watson against a LB, and exploited it. Great protection allowed for this. This is Brady at his finest.

1st and Goal Buf 3

Result: Scramble, Brady, left guard, 3 yds., TOUCHDOWN.
Offense: 2 WR, Givens left slot, Branch wide right, Fauria TE standing left wing (in motion from right wing), Watson FB strong side, Dillon RB.
Defense: 4-3, LBs shaded strong side, CBs playing on the endzone line, safeties just behind LBs.
Blocking: Fauria chips a DE before stuttering in front of an OLB and taking a hook route underneath the OLB
Ashworth will block the DE until the DE bites on the play action and then goes into a short zone. Ashworth is near no blockers on the scramble
Mankins double teams a DT with Watson
Watson helps Mankins with a DT before releasing into the endzone in a route just as Brady is scrambling. Watson won’t have time to make blocks on the scramble
Hochstein and Neal double team a DT off the snap but semi-release him on the scramble, but don’t allow the DT to get near Brady
Gorin shadows every move of a DE on the edge.
Coverage: Dillon receives the play action left, and will draw the DE out, but the DE doesn’t follow Dillon into the endzone, and Dillon is waving his arms wide open as Brady starts to scramble
Branch fakes his man around in the endzone and has a step or two on a corner route just as Brady begins to scramble
Givens will hook into the endzone but is covered by literally 5 DBs.

Analysis: The scramble on this play seemed a tad premature, as if Brady had waited another second or so he would have seen Dillon or Branch open. However, Brady saw a DE get position on Gorin for just a moment (Gorin would quickly recover), causing Brady to made a quick desperation step-up. From there, Brady saw the hole and just decided to go for it. Schobel, who followed Dillon’s block and who Ashworth was unable to reach to block after that, as Schobel was in a short zone, was the one who slid in from the side and injured Brady’s shin.

Extra Point

Result: Converted

Score: New England 7 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Defensive Series #3 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 5:33 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 3 plays, 5 yards, time of possession was 1:46

[FONT=&quot]Kickoff:[/FONT] McGee 21 yd. return from the Buf 18 to the Buf 39
McGee catches a bounce in front of his feet and takes it left, gets tripped up by Banta-Cain and spun down by Stone.
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

1st and 10 Buf 39

Result: Run, McGahee, up the middle, 3 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, one left, one right, 1 TE down off LT, 1 TE down off RT, McGahee lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, OLBs tight on TEs, CBs a few yards off the line.
Blocking: McGinest is kept away from the play by a TE
Warren locks with the RT but quickly breaks off and pounces on McGahee as the run goes through the line
Wilfork doesn’t give any ground to the C and is pushed to the ground from the side as Warren makes the tackle on McGahee just as McGahee crosses the line of scrimmage
Seymour is pushed back by the LT initially but breaks off and secures McGahee on the ground
Colvin is kept away from the play by a TE
Bruschi smashes into the RG, who pushes Bruschi aside before Bruschi trips on Warren’s leg and is pushed to the ground from behind by the RG
Vrabel can’t get any penetration on the LG coming out before there’s commotion with an incoming WR, and Vrabel breaks off and dives on top of the Warren/McGahee tackle pile
Stone comes flying in and is pushed from behind by a WR onto the tackle pile
Samuel dropped back into a zone before coming in on the run.

Analysis: Warren easily broke off an inexperienced RT with brute strength and stopped the run which had no clear holes due to Wilfork’s immobility, Vrabel’s clogging block, and the securing of the edges by McGinest and Colvin. Warren got on McGahee at the line of scrimmage or just after, but the momentum/dive from McGahee through the line racked up the 2-3 yards.

2nd and 7 Buf 42

Result: Run, McGahee, right guard, 2 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, 2 left, 1 right, TE down off RT, McGahee lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, Stone in the box over the TE, Samuel 3 yards off the line, Hobbs 5-10 yards off the line.
Blocking: McGinest beats the TE on the edge and turns him around, but won’t be able to catch up to the run from behind
Warren is initially double teamed by the RT and RG, but when the RT comes out to block Bruschi to the right of the run, Warren breaks off the RG’s block and falls on top of McGahee trying to advance with Colvin making the tackle
Wilfork slides with the play and pushes the LG on top of Warren on the tackle pile
Seymour is wide of the play but drags the LT inside towards the play
Colvin busts off the edge uncovered and wraps up McGahee by the waist right at the line and is dragged forward but into Warren’s containment
Bruschi is knocked out of the hole by the RT but spins off the block and falls on top of the tackle pile
Vrabel tosses the oncoming LG straight to the ground with astonishing ease but by then, McGahee has already been wrapped up and Vrabel doesn’t factor in
Stone drops back off the snap but dives on top of Warren on the tackle pile
Samuel drops back but trots on in as the tackle is made
Wilson screams in but doesn’t make it in time to do anything.

Analysis: Colvin wasn’t assigned to the uncovered slot receiver and probably had blitz all the way, coming in uncovered off the edge and stopping the play just as it was getting started. Containment on the tackle was also provided by quite a few Pats who really seemed to out-muscle the Bills all around.

3rd and 5 Buf 44

Result: Pass, Incomplete, thrown away.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, 2 left, 2 right, Williams RB to right of Losman in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, McGinest-Green-Seymour-Colvin line, Bruschi and Vrabel 5 yards behind it, Samuel and Hobbs play at the first down line, Poteat plays 2 or 3 yards off over the left slot receiver, right slot receiver has no immediate coverage.
Blocking: McGinest rides the RT wide but doubles back on the scramble and dives on top of Losman from behind with Seymour just after throw
Green jostles around with the RG at the line before using the RB coming through the lines into a route as a momentary distraction for the RG (with a slight push from Green), allowing Green to get into the backfield and force Losman to scramble right. Green can’t follow the scramble as the RG recovers and prevents a double back from Green
Seymour is double teamed by the C and LG, and is smart by not fully engaging, allowing Seymour to be free enough when Losman scrambles to chase without already pre-engaged in a block. Seymour will force a rushed, on-the-run throw from Losman and then will slam the young QB into the ground with the help of McGinest just after the throw
Colvin tries to spin into the LT to no avail, and will follow the scramble but won’t catch up in time.
Coverage: Vrabel drops into a zone to the left side of the field
Bruschi drops into a zone to the right side of the field
Sanders is on Aiken’s 10 yard hook route in which Losman had some semblance of intent to on his throw away, although Sanders probably wouldn’t have been able to defend the pass if it was thrown more accurately
Samuel is tight in the same fashion on a 15 yard out route behind Aiken’s.

Analysis: The Patriots dropped 7 back on 5 recievers (counting the RB, who really didn’t come through the line until Losman’s scramble, where he was more of a blocker on Bruschi than a route-runner) and the added time gained from the 7-man coverage gave Jarvis Green & company more than enough time to harass Losman into a poor throw. Great penetration on Jarvis’ part as well.

4th and 5 Buf 44

Result: Punt, Moorman, to the NE 14, out of bounds, 42 yd. punt, 0 yd. return.

Score: New England 7 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Offensive Series #4 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 3:47 remaining in the first quarter
Statistics: 9 plays, 39 yards, time of possession was 5:52
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

1st and 10 NE 14

Result: Pass, Givens, 5 yard out, 5 yds.
Offense: 4 WR, Givens left slot, Fauria left wing, Watson right wing, Branch right slot, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, LBs shaded towards left/Fauria/Branch side, LB coverage over Fauria 3 yards off, CBs 10 yards off slot WRs.
Blocking: Ashworth jams a DT inside and holds tight
Mankins comes out and gives a little block on the DE stunting behind the DTs
Hochstein holds a DT fairly steady with some help from Neal
Neal will tap a DT inside to Hochstein before breaking back out to check the stunting DE from other side of the line, who wasn’t a threat
Gorin will chop a DE and prevent penetration for the duration of the quick pass, and what would have been probably double that
Dillon will come up and try to chop the blitzing OLB Posey, but completely misses, albeit it was moreso directed to slowing the blitz, and that it did
Coverage: Givens takes the 5 yard drag underneath the corner and outside the linebackers, and will catch the throw from Brady thrown high and wide. Givens will be tackled quickly.
Fauria stutters into a LB and will turn in a 5 yard hook, covered tightly from behind
Watson takes a short hook and is open as the other LB took a delayed blitz, but a safety was running up to cover
Branch takes a 5 yard out underneath the soft CB coverage

Analysis: Just a quick pass here underneath soft coverage to set up an ideal 2nd and 5. Great protection, nice blitz slowup.

2nd and 5 NE 19

Result: Run, Dillon, up the middle, 8 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens motion wide left to left wing by snap, Brown right slot, Branch wide right, Fauria TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, Milloy walks to line before snap over Fauria, CBs 6-10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Givens holds the far edge from the play nicely, not allowing Milloy to break off and pursue the play from behind either
Fauria and Ashworth double team a DE, not allowing for the pursuit either, even as Ashworth breaks off to, in vein, block upfield
Mankins drops his head too low and allows a DT to spin him around as Mankins dives forward to the ground, and the DT will break off and will follow the play from behind, although only helps secure Dillon on the tackle
Hochstein will chip Neal’s DT before coming out and bulldozing the right LB forward and out of Dillon’s way, but the tackle is made behind the block
Neal holds a DT pretty tight but loses control and looks weaker, allowing the DT to slide into the hole and get a dive/slight hit on Dillon just before the tackle
Gorin holds a DE tight at first but is maybe weary of being called for holding and doesn’t sustain the block. The DE will face no resistance breaking off downfield and making the final blow on Dillon as Clements was dragging him down
Brown and Branch won’t engage in any blocks, but keep tight with their men (CB and NB) in front of Dillon’s run.

Analysis: The left side blocking was superb, taking care of, for the most part, a safety, an end and a tackle. However, the other tackle was able to overpower Neal and get the first little knock on Dillon, who stumbled into a Clements sliding behind the play who was supposed to be one of the 2 unblocked Dillon had to evade/smash through. Dillon would be finished by the DE Gorin was unable to sustain a driving, downfield block on. Dillon probably would have just lowered a shoulder to Clements (or something to that effect) if he had not been slowed by Neal’s man. The end result is pretty good though, an 8 yard run and a first down. As with many other runs, it could have been much longer if it wasn’t for a missed block or two.

1st and 10 NE 27

Result: Pass, Dillon, underneath, desperation shovel under pressure, 2 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Fauria right slot, Branch wide right, Watson TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, OLB Posey tight over Watson, LB 5 yards off over Fauria, CB over Givens 5 yards off, CB over Branch 10 yards off.
Blocking: Ashworth prevents penetration on spin moves from a DE initially, but when other pressure forces Brady to slide/get push towards Ashworth, the DE spins and is able to help wrap Brady
Mankins holds his DT man nicely before Hochstein helps out and the duo pushes the DT back downfield
Hochstein helps Neal push his DT man to the ground before Hochstein breaks off and helps push Mankins’ DT man downfield during the short throw
Neal gets his DT man to one knee before the DT gets back up and Neal pushes him downfield during the throw
Gorin rides a DE outside but can’t cover the cut-back, and the DE will get to Brady with a Gorin push from behind, with the DE knocking Brady to the ground during the short shovel
Coverage: Watson takes a deep flag route with a LB jostling him along the way
Givens takes a 5 yard hook and bounces off his man but is unable to get any separation that warranted a throw his way
Fauria takes a 5 yard hook underneath his OLB coverage, but also draws the MLB his way for a moment
Branch takes a 10 yard post or hook with CB and S coverage
Dillon releases underneath and bobs around behind the line before Brady tosses the short shovel while getting hit, with Dillon catching it before he’s quickly wrapped up by the MLB

Analysis: Brady saw Fauria hook underneath a LB and outside another LB before he faced pressure, but decided not to throw it before turning back left and getting hit from behind. Gorin held his man for almost 3 seconds, which isn’t entirely bad, but there was tight coverage with only a 4-man rush. Brady couldn’t get off a decent throw in time before Gorin’s block blew, and the fact that Fauria drew the MLB away from Dillon’s underneath emergency route was the only thing that saved this from being either a sack or tuckesque incompletion. The pass was left-handed, and Brady seemed to wiggle his right hand fingers around coming up from the hit, along with the limp from the touchdown scramble.

 

[pats1]

2nd and 8 NE 29

Result: Run, Dillon, right guard, 2 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Brown right slot, Branch wide right, Fauria TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 3-3-5 nickel, DE over Fauria hands-on-knees, LB showing blitz left wing, another LB at line over RG, all 3 CBs pressure coverage.
Blocking: Fauria jams the hands-on-knees DE inside towards the run, but will lose control, but Dillon has already dived out from the pile in which the DE is plucking through with his arms
Ashworth allows his DE man to slide inside, and Ashworth will push the DE into Adams, who is making the stand-up stop on Dillon
Mankins will come out and attack the LB over the RG, eventually pushing him to the ground, which would have cleared a hole for Dillon if there wasn’t the Adams stop
Hochstein will push the big NT Adams towards the far sideline, but Dillon runs straight into Adams, who pushes Hochstein to the ground with his right hand before standing up Dillon
Neal pulls left and knocks the LB coming off the edge away from Dillon’s run
Gorin slides outside and shoves his man around behind the run, in the backfield. Dillon wasn’t slowed by or had to elude any of this.

Analysis: This play would have worked much better if Ashworth was able to contain his DT to the left side of the line, but instead that DT was able to carry Ashworth inside, clogging the hole which was created by Hochstein pushing Adams aside. Since Dillon couldn’t bust through the hole that was filled by Ashworth’s DT, he had to bounce it outside towards Adams, who was able to get enough push off Hochstein to wrap up Dillon. If Ashworth did contain his DT to the left side of the line, Mankins had a nice block to clean out the hole, but Fauria also lost control of his man, and Dillon would have been roadblocked too, but just another yard or two upfield.

3rd and 6 NE 31

Result: Scramble, Brady, under pressure, left tackle, 9 yds.
Offense: Shotgun, 4 WR, Branch wide left, Brown left slot (in motion from right slot), Watson right wing, Givens wide right, Faulk RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, OLB 3 yards off Watson on the wing, MLB at the line showing blitz, all 3 CBs pressure coverage.
Blocking: Ashworth seemed to get a bad jump off the snap, backpedaling a bit off-balance and more towards the QB than a slide outside to pick up the rush. The DE went wide and beat Ashworth to Brady, with Ashworth getting just enough of a push from behind to buy time for Brady to step forward and eventually scramble
Mankins holds the DT Adams pretty tightly until Brady scrambles from behind Mankins and up to his left, just as Hochstein’s man is pushed into Mankins’ legs, freeing Adams to chase down Brady from behind. Adams, however, would not catch up to make a tackle before Brady slid
Hochstein slides right to help Neal with a DT, but both Neal and Hochstein lose control of that DT when Brady scrambles, but Hochstein is able to push the DT to the ground from behind to prevent any pursuit.
Neal will get help from Hochstein with a DT, but breaks off when Brady scrambles and the DT attempts to chase. Neal is too far away from the run to block for Brady
Gorin rides a DE outside and won’t be able to cover the cut-back when Brady scrambles, but the DE can’t catch up from behind
Coverage: Faulk will bounce around in front of the LB who showed blitz but did not come before Faulk goes for the far sideline, with the LB following in coverage, as Brady scrambles
Branch breaks to the outside of his CB and will take it deep down the sideline, with the CB trailing tight
Brown takes a slant and has a step on the NB, but Brady has already begun scrambling
Watson cuts across the middle but has tight LB coverage from behind as Brady begins to scramble
Givens beats his man outside and then deep, but it’s on the other side of the field from the scramble

Analysis: All Ashworth’s miscue resulted in was a step-up from Brady, but since there was either tight coverage or long routes with the pocket seconds from collapse, Brady saw Faulk bring a LB to the other side of the field, Brown bring a NB to the other side of the field, and Givens bring a CB deep, freeing the left side of the field for the scramble. Hobbling and limping along, Brady got the first down before sliding down with 2 DLs closing in from behind and 3 DBs out ahead.

1st and 10 NE 40

Result: Run, Dillon, up the middle, 21 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide left, Brown right slot, Branch wide right, Fauria TE down off LT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CBs 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Fauria, Ashworth, and Mankins hold the left side of the line, sealing a DE, DT into each other. The SS and a LB would overpursue into these blocks, with Dillon beating them through the hole and Fauria and Mankins making sure the LB and S didn’t pursue from behind.
Hochstein and Neal use brute force to drive a LB and DT out of the hole
Gorin seals a DE on the edge
Brown couldn’t catch up to his man, the NB, to block.
Givens went inside to block the SSbut it wasn’t needed as Dillon was already into the secondary before Milloy could react and turn around.

Analysis: I wasn’t exactly sure why Milloy tried the edge of the line instead of going for the wide open hole in the middle of the line, although he was creeping into the left side of the box before the snap. The left LB decided to slam into the back of a DT instead of clogging the hole, too. Givens was supposed to come in and block Milloy from getting into the hole, but that was unnecessary. The tackle would be made by the CB on Givens’ side of the field, Clements, and the FS, Vincent. Dillon had some speed and momentum and was dragging Vincent before Clements put a stop to the run.

Note: CBS spent too much time showing Flutie jogging down the sidelines, and the pre-snap formations were lost, making things difficult to breakdown.

Note: End of 1st Qtr.

 

[pats1]

1st and 10 Buf 39

Result: Pass, Dillon, fake end-around to Dwight, screen right to Dillon, 2 yds.
Offense: 4 WR, Branch wide left, Fauria (in motion from left wing), Givens, and Dwight stack right wing, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CB over Branch 5 yards off the line, 2 CBs over stack 5-10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth will ride a DE to the left of Brady, and when Dwight comes around Ashworth and out towards the sideline, the DE tries to turn and follow but slips to his knees
Mankins pulls right and blocks a LB during the screen, but far away from it
Hochstein gets too far downfield and eventually outside of a DT, and is not in the ideal position between the ball carrier and his man during the screen, and instead opts to help Neal than chase down Anderson, the DT, who chases Dillon out of bounds
Neal puts forth a good effort to maintain position on his DT, eventually pushing that DT to the ground with the help of Hochstein far away from the screen
Gorin helps Neal keep the DT inside before breaking off and trying to chase down the DT who drove Dillon out of bounds, but is unable to catch
Fauria lightly releases a DE into the backfield, but that DE follows Dwight’s screen instead of slamming into Brady, and by the time the DE notices and reacts, Brady has already slid to his right and tossed it to Dillon
Coverage: Dillon takes a light play action before releasing into the right flat and catching the screen from Brady, but he is unable to turn the corner on the free DT and is dragged down from behind on the sideline
Dwight comes behind Brady and receives the fake end-around, running up towards the far sideline

Analysis: As with many trick plays, all it takes is one defender not to bite and one blocker to blow it to screw everything over. Hochstein couldn’t contain a DT who wouldn’t bite on the fake.
Fauria failed to block Milloy, and Mankins was losing control of Crowell, both just downfield from where Dillon went out, so it would have probably been doomed anyway.

2nd and 8 Buf 37

Result: Run, Cloud, right tackle, 4 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Branch wide left, Brown left slot, Givens wide right, Fauria TE down off RT, Cloud lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CBs 5 yards off the line
Blocking: Ashworth holds the far edge, not allowing a DE to get near the run
Mankins drives his DT man downfield, not losing control until Cloud is tackled to Mankins’ right and the DT breaks free and falls on the pile
Hochstein chips Mankins’ DT before heading out and knocking around a LB a bit ahead of the tackle
Neal initially pushes his DT left but will lose control and allow the DT to turn back around and help on the tackle
Gorin pushes his DE left long enough for Cloud to get through the hole
Fauria drives a LB forward just ahead of the run
Givens won’t exert much effort and can’t catch up to Milloy sprinting in, who will help Neal’s DT make the tackle

Analysis: Not a bad run, but it could have been better. Neal got a good start by driving his man left, but couldn’t hold his man long enough and the play stopped quickly. Milloy came in and around, and I think Givens would have at least gotten a knock to Milloy’s side if Givens had decided not to just walk to the play. The rest of the blocking was near perfect.

3rd and 4 Buf 33

Result: Run, Reverse, Dwight-to-Branch, left-to-right behind line, 10 yds.
PENALTY on NE-T.Brady, Illegal Crackback, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 33 - No Play.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide right, Dwight right slot, Branch left slot, Fauria TE down off LT, Cloud RB offset left.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CBs 3 yards off the line, FS creeping into box left side of the field.
Blocking: Ashworth is quickly beat by the DE who sprang to Dwight, but it’s irrelevant as Branch was bringing it back in the other direction in a heart beat before the DE had a chance to disrupt
Mankins can’t catch up to a LB once the reverse has the LB sprinting towards Branch, and Mankins can only trot from behind as that LB pushes Branch out of bounds
Hochstein gets position on his DT and prevents pursuit of Branch by the DT
Neal bursts through the line but has to turn around after he totally misses a DT to his left, of which will try to chase down Branch but has to turn back in pursuit, when Neal, who was waiting, lays a great block on the DT
Gorin sprints downfield and pushes Milloy out of bounds just ahead of where Branch was knocked out
Fauria and Cloud knock around a LB on the far side of the field from the run
Givens brings his CB downfield, far ahead of the run
Brady trots outside, stops between FS Vincent and Branch, who is beginning to turn the corner behind Brady, and Brady will plant his right foot, switch the plant to his left foot, and dive at Vincent’s knees, a dive towards the sideline.

Analysis: I was massively confused reading about the crackback block rule and its intricacies, but I guess it’s when an offensive player lines up or moves to a position 2 yards outside the tackles, and moves back towards the origin of the run on his block. The referee, I suppose, thought that Brady went outside of this zone and then made his block back towards this zone with the run going away from this zone (the zone being essentially the normal QB pocket). This did not exactly happen on this play. Brady did exit the zone, and lined up his block like it was going back towards the zone, but Vincent made a last second slide outside, and Brady redirected his dive towards the sideline and ‘away from the zone.’ This very last occurrence should have made it a legal play. Brady was at first ready to dive illegally, but he pivoted as Vincent slid outside and instead made the dive legally.

3rd and 19 Buf 48

Result: Draw, Faulk, right guard, 1 yd.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide right, Brown left slot, Branch wide left, Fauria TE down off RT, Faulk lone RB.
Defense: 3-2-6 dime, LB Posey as a DE wide of Gorin, Milloy in the box, CBs pressure coverage, NB 5 yards off the line
Blocking: Ashworth will pick up the blitzing left LB and allow a DE to come around and trip up Faulk from behind
Mankins comes out and drives the right LB downfield ahead of the run
Hochstein and Neal knock around the NT
Gorin lightly picks up Milloy ahead of the run
Fauria holds the edge against the DE/LB Posey
Givens brings his block on the edge in towards the run, ending right next to the tackle

Analysis: Ashworth was overloaded on the edge and the slow-developing draw play gave the DE enough time to come around the edge and get Faulk from behind.

4th and 18 Buf 47

Result: Punt, Miller, to the Buf 24, fair catch by Parrish, 23 yd. punt, 0 yd. return.

Score: New England 7 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Defensive Series #4 Punt

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 12:55 remaining in the second quarter
Statistics: 3 plays, 0 yards, time of possession was 0:21

1st and 10 Buf 24

Result: Pass, Campbell, Incomplete, screen right, underthrown under pressure.
Offense: 2 WR, 1 wide left, 1 right slot (in motion from wide right), 1 TE down off RT, FB down right wing, McGahee lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, Green-Wilfork-Seymour-Warren line, Colvin and McGinest showing blitz on the edges, Hobbs pressure coverage, Stone comes up in 5 yard coverage and Samuel drops back once the receiver goes in motion from wide right to right slot.
Blocking: Green will chip the LT inside but is swallowed by the pulling RG, the pulling FB, and McGahee blocking
Wilfork tries to spin around the LG and C but is unable to do so
Seymour bounces into the C and RT before deciding to back off and watch for a pass
Warren will be chipped by the TE and starts to rush the QB, but turns around on the throw and would have helped on the tackle if it was caught
McGinest is unblocked off the edge and barrels straight towards Losman, forcing the hurried and short throw
Coverage: Colvin drops into a short zone on the left side of the field
Bruschi will spy McGahee before he follows the throw and runs over to the other side of the field and would also have been ready to make the tackle
Stone spies the QB and releases the right WR to Samuel deep before flying up and STONING Campbell to the ground just after the pass falls short

Analysis: For whatever reason, Jarvis Green was triple-blocked on one side of the line, and Ty Warren and Willie McGinest were able to run free on the other. Losman, falling backwards with Willie barreling towards him, could only muster a throw that bounced in front of Campbell, who was shadowed from behind by Stone. Stone also laid a nasty hit on the big TE, from behind.

2nd and 10 Buf 24

Result: Pass, Evans, Incomplete, 5 yard hook, underthrown.
Offense: 2 WR, 1 wide left, 1 right slot (in motion from left slot), 2 TE, 1 down off LT, 1 down off RT, McGahee lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, Green-Wilfork-Seymour-Warren line, Colvin comes back to line after covering WR that went in motion, Stone in box next to Bruschi, Hobbs pressure coverage, Samuel 5 yards off.
Blocking: Green is double teamed by the LT and LG and doesn’t get any penetration
Wilfork swims and powers his way outside of the C, but Losman steps right and the C is back in position to stop Wilfork, and does
Seymour can’t get too much penetration swimming the RG inside and spins back as the throw is being made
Warren rides the RT outside but gets himself too wide of the throwing lane, which is important since the pass was thrown very low and it was a very short drop by Losman
Coverage: Colvin jams the TE inside before the TE breaks behind him and hooks, where Colvin sets up coverage in front of the hook as the pass is thrown
Bruschi will spy Losman and follow the pass
McGinest jams the TE inside before sliding towards the hooking WR as Willie notices Losman going that direction. He can’t get into the throwing lane in time to tip the pass, though
Hobbs is tight behind a short hook from the left WR
Stone drops back into a zone before following the pass
Samuel drops back behind the WR’s hook and will fall on Evans once the ball bounces into Evan’s chest, where 3 Patriots practiced their ‘incomplete’ signals.

Analysis: Losman’s short drop had him squeezed between Wilfork’s penetration just to Losman’s left, Seymour just in front, and Warren to his left, not allowing enough room for a higher throw which would have either resulted in a catch by Evans and a quick tackle by Samuel, or an incompletion and breakup by Samuel by way of a hard hit from behind.

3rd and 10 Buf 24

Result: Pass, Aiken, Incomplete, 15 yard hook, underthrown wide.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, 1 left, 3 right, Williams RB to left of Losman in shotgun.
Defense: 3-3-5 nickel, Colvin-Green-Seymour line offset over left side of OL, Bruschi showing blitz left edge, Vrabel and McGinest showing blitz right edge, Wilson and Sanders upper edge of box, Hobbs, Samuel, Poteat 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Bruschi can’t get any penetration blitzing on the LT before the fairly quick throw
Colvin stunts behind Green and Seymour but the throw is too quick to get any penetration off the stunt
Green will work the LG but doesn’t get to Losman before the throw
Seymour tries working the RG inside but gets caught up by the C
Vrabel is free to blitz but gets chopped down by the RB right in front of Losman
McGinest rides the RT outside and can’t cut back towards Losman before the throw
Coverage: Samuel drops back behind a 15 yard hook by the receiver wide right
Poteat follows alongside the right slot receiver’s post route
Wilson and Sanders play the over/under (respectively) on the right wing receiver’s short in route
Hobbs drops back behind a 15 yard hook by the left receiver, but will have to run in just behind the receiver as the ball comes in short and wide and Aiken’s dive fails

Analysis: A 6-man rush was picked up by 6 blockers, which was giving and would have gave Losman more time than he used. The throw was simply too low and too wide even for the dive.

4th and 10 Buf 24

Result: Punt, Moorman, to the NE 48, Brown (as the short man in case of a poor punt in the inclement conditions of the game) grabs the line drive and is tripped up before diving into a pack of 4 Bills heading towards him, 28 yd. punt, 3 yd. return.

Score: New England 7 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

Offensive Series #5 Touchdown

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 12:34 remaining in the second quarter
Statistics: 9 plays, 49 yards, time of possession was 4:21

1st and 10 Buf 49

Result: Run, Dillon, up the middle, 3 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Givens wide left, Branch wide right, 2 TE, Watson TE down off LT, Fauria TE down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, OLB tight over Watson, CBs 5-10 yards off the line
Blocking: Watson works his way inside of a DE
Ashworth double teams a DT with Mankins before Mankins breaks off to block a LB, and the DT helps finish the tackle on Dillon from behind, breaking away from Ashworth
Mankins initially double teams a DT with Ashworth but breaks off to block the OLB that was over Watson, just ahead of the tackle on the left side of what was the hole
Hochstein helps Neal jam a DT out of the hole and into the ground before breaking off and driving the left LB out of what was the hole, ahead of the tackle
Neal drives a DT out of Dillon’s way and into the ground, with a little bit of help form Hochstein
Gorin comes out and can’t entirely contain LB Crowell, and is dragged towards the run and into the tackle, with Crowell helping to stand up Dillon
Fauria contains the DE long enough that when the DE breaks free, he is behind the run and doesn’t factor in on the tackle

Analysis: This play was pretty much all Milloy, coming up through the hole and standing Dillon straight up. However, due to some good but not great blocking, it was a small hole which quickly collapsed just as Milloy started the tackle, allowing a few defenders to flood in and push Dillon back. If the hole was larger initially, Dillon maybe would have had some room to evade the lone near unblocked defender, or, if the hole didn’t collapse so quickly, time to push through and drag along Milloy.

2nd and 7 Buf 46

Result: Pass, Brown, 5 yard in/hook, 6 yds.
Offense: 4 WR, Branch wide right, Fauria left wing, Brown left slot (in motion from left slot to behind Brady back to left slot), Givens wide left, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, right LB Fletcher showing blitz over Neal, left LB Crowell tight at the line over Fauria, CB on Branch and NB on Brown pressure coverage, CB on Givens 5 yards off.
Blocking: Ashworth slides too far outside and a DE beats him inside, with Ashworth only able to fling an arm in front of the rusher as Brady is forced into a quick throw with the DE in his face
Mankins has the help of Hochstein blocking a DT but the block is in Brady’s face, and the DT may have gotten a piece of the ball with his arm up
Hochstein slides left and helps Mankins double team a DT right in Brady’s face, and the DT may have gotten a piece of the ball with his arm up
Neal slides inside and picks up a DT without penetration
Gorin is pushed towards Brady by a DE but not enough to disrupt the throw
Dillon picks up the blitz nicely from the right LB Fletcher between Neal and Gorin
Coverage: Fauria cuts inside short and is knocked all around by the left LB Crowell
Branch takes a quick fake inside and goes up along the sideline
Givens fakes deep, turning his CB around before cutting quickly back in a hook, but the CB will quickly turn around himself and have tight coverage from behind
Brown stutters around in front of the NB before opening his body to Brady and reeling in the low, possibly tipped pass with the NB on his back

Analysis: Ashworth totally blew his block here, and Brady was forced to make a hasty throw to ‘ol reliable. The throw was low and looked to be tipped by the DT Anderson who was doubled teamed by Mankins and Hochstein. Even with tight coverage literally on his back, Brown opened himself/turned inside just wide enough to have a good look on the ball. Nice catch.

3rd and 1 Buf 40

Result: Sneak, Brady, right guard, 3 yds.
Offense: 4 WR, Branch wide left, Watson left wing (is in motion as the ball is snapped), Givens right wing, Brown right slot, Dillon lone RB, Mruczkowski at LG, Hochstein at C.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, 1 DE is lined up outside of Gorin, CB on Branch 5 yards off, NB over Givens and Brown pressure coverage, 3rd CB presumably somewhere on the right side of the field.
Blocking: Ashworth drives a DE forward but loses control and allows that DE to help on the tackle of Brady on the other side of the line
Mruczkowskican’t control a DT fully but does so long enough that Brady is already through the line on the other side of the line before the DT breaks free
Hochstein pushes forward but is crushed to the ground by a LB and 2 DT’s (one was Mruckowski’s man, who broke free and fell on Hochstein)
Neal chips a DT onto Hochstein before coming out and trying to knock the right LB Fletcher away, but overpursues and Fletcher helps Ashworth’s DE (broke free) tackle Brady.
Gorin tries chopping the DE, who evades but in doing so, brings himself further away from Brady and then into the backside block from Watson

Analysis: Unlike some other sneaks on 3rd or 4th and short, this play was wasn’t out of the no-huddle and was called from the sideline. However, Brady gave the Buffalo defense little time to setup and called the snap just as his hands came down. Neal chipping the DT inside and the fact that the DE was lined up way too far outside and then tried to go around Gorin into Watson were the keys to getting this play the 1 necessary yard and more. Brady lowered his shoulder behind Neal’s back and was wrapped up by Fletcher, Milloy, and Denney.

Note: CBS spent too much time showing a close-up of Losman taking off his jacket and Brady walking to the line and the pre-snap formations were lost.

Note: The play-by-play doesn’t list Mankins as being injued on the previous play, but I’m not sure why Mruczkowski was in there.

 

[pats1]

1st and 10 Buf 37

Result: Run, Dillon, right guard, 8 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens right slot, Branch left slot, Davis wide left, Fauria TE down off RT, Dillon lone RB, Hochstein at LG, Mruczkowski at C.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, right LB 3 yards off Fauria on the wing, CBs 7-10 yards off the line, SS Milloy in the box over right wing.
Blocking: Ashworth immediately chops inside towards C, and while this doesn’t directly take out the DT over Mankins, it does slow the DT and DE enough on that side for Dillon can get through the line on the other side without interference from the said linemen
Hochstein can’t pull behind Mruczkowski swift enough and can’t get out ahead of Dillon to block the left LB, but does try to pull the tackler off Dillon to no avail
Mruczkowski stands up Adams and pivots with Dillon’s run to stay between it and the DT.
Neal pulls right and slams Milloy out of the hole
Gorin drives a DE left and downfield, out of the hole
Fauria holds the edge against the right LB
Givens stutters towards McGee, a CB, looks in towards the run and then turns back and tries to block McGee, but Givens has McGee between him and Dillon, and therefore can only do some jersey tugging before Givens is slammed to the ground from behind by the right LB as the tackle is being made by McGee and the left LB, Fletcher

Analysis: Givens is always the one to never get to a block in time, waiting to see where the run will go. Happened again on this play. Hochstein got caught up in Mruczkowski’s block and couldn’t get the lead for Dillon, ending the play at a still efficient 8 yards, but it was definitely a run that could have gone much further.

2nd and 2 Buf 29

Result: Pass, Brown, 2 yard screen, 6 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens right slot, Brown left slot, Branch wide left, Fauria TE down off RT, Dillon lone RB, Mruczkowski at LG, Hochstein at C.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, DT-DE-DE-DT (personnel-wise) line, left LB showing blitz over left wing, right LB 2 yards over Fauria right wing, CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth pushes a DE (actually a DT) onto Hochstein, on the ground
Mruczkowskican’t get a block on the spinning DT (actually a DE) and trips to the ground as Ashworth’s man falls on top
Hochstein dives forward but the DT (actually a DE) spins away and Hochstein falls to his face
Neal slams a DT (actually a DE) to the ground behind Mruczkowski
Gorin totally misses his block on Adams (how can you be faked out by a 335-pound DT?), who is able to run free but still away from the quick-developing play
Fauria holds the edge against the right LB
Coverage: Givens takes a short drag inside, with Milloy in coverage from behind
Brown turns inside while taking a few steps downfield, and with coverage still upfield 5 or so yards, he catches Brady’s quick pass and is wrapped up at the feet by the NB
Branch takes a short hook route but can’t get to the NB in time to block for Brown

Analysis: The Bills pretty much gave the Pats the 1st down here, dropping back their coverage and allowing for the quick screen to Brown. Thankfully this was a quick pass, or else Brady would have probably been sacked.

1st and 10 Buf 23

Result: Pass, Watson, Incomplete, 20 yard seam, pass tipped away by tight frontal coverage.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, Brown left slot, Watson left wing, Givens right wing, Branch right slot, Dillon lone RB to right of Brady in shotgun, Mruczkowski at LG, Hochstein at C.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CBs 10 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth initially gives ground to a DE inside but recovers and pushes the DE back downfield
MruczkowskiDT’s stunts around Hochstein and leaves Neal in the dust, but doesn’t get to Brady or forces a noticeably hasty throw.
Hochstein slides behind Mruczkowski and helps out Ashworth with the DE
Neal holds his ground against Adams but breaks off to follow the stunting DT, but can’t catch up and falls to his face, with the DT not able to hit Brady in time
Gorin rides a DE outside and behind Brady
Coverage: Dillon hooks short underneath, drawing light LB coverage from behind
Branch takes a 5 yard out, drawing a CB
Givens brings it outside and then deep, drawing Milloy until the pass is thrown
Watson wheels around the zoned left LB and then slants back inside towards the endzone, picking up a NB King in the process. The throw comes in from Brady towards King instead of leading Watson, and King muscles himself inside of Watson to tip the ball away. Watson then slams into Vincent, floating behind the play, sending Watson straight to the ground as the ball falls to the ground yards away
Brown takes a 15 yard out, drawing a CB

Analysis: The throw had to be thread in there with Vincent ready to pounce on any overthrow. Brady couldn’t lead Watson to any extent, and Watson was off-balance with the NB King jostling around with him as the throw came in. All options had coverage, but it is unclear to what extent compared to Watson’s.

 

[pats1]

2nd and 10 Buf 23

Result: Pass, Branch, Incomplete, 5 yard out, pass knocked down at the line.
Offense: 4 WR, Branch wide right, Brown right slot, Fauria left wing, Givens wide left, Dillon lone RB, Mruczkowski at LG, Hochstein at C.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CBs 5 yards off the line, Milloy in box over Fauria left wing.
Blocking: Fauria slides inside but Ashworth needs no assistance.
Ashworth handles a DE fairly well, but gets pushed into the backfield
Mruczkowski is beat inside by a DT, Anderson, the slide right by in front of Brady with Anderson throwing an arm up in the process and tipping the ball to the ground
Hochstein and Neal double team Adams without penetration before Neal breaks off at the sight of the ball in the air
Gorin holds the edge against a DE
Coverage: Dillon bounces up through Ashworth but doesn’t get into his route by the time of the tip
Givens does a 5 yard hook with CB coverage from beind and SS coverage to the side
Brown goes deep with NB and FS coverage
Branch takes a 5 yard out with CB coverage from behind

Analysis: Mruczkowski tried to ride Anderson outside but the penetration was too close to Brady and the arm was able to knock the ball down.

3rd and 10 Buf 23

Result: Pass, Branch, 15 yard squirrel route (up – out – up – hook out), 11 yds.
Offense: 4 WR, Branch wide right, Givens, Brown, and Fauria (in motion to center and back) stack left wing, Dillon lone RB, Mruczkowski at LG, Hochstein at C.
Defense: 3-2-6 dime, dime back Leonhard showing blitz right wing, Milloy over stack left wing, left LB follows Fauria in motion¸ right LB showin blitz over RG, CBs 5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Fauriaholds the edge against a blitzing Milloy
Ashworth comes out from the line to far and has to turn around and dive for the blitzing left LB’s feet, which is successful, but the tripped LB falls right to the side of Brady, forcing the quick scramble forward.
Murczkowskidoesn’t allow for any penetration initially on the DE Schobel, but gets disoriented when Schobel spins back to follow Brady’s scramble, where Schobel is free and slams Brady to the ground during the throw
Hochstein drives the DT wide, to the right of Brady
Neal holds his ground against a spinning DE Posey
Gorin rides the blitzing dime back Leonhard wide of Brady and covers the spin-back
Dillon goes into blitz protection on the edge, just outside of Fauria, and let’s the right LB Fletcher blitz free towards Brady, who steps up and avoids the simultaneous dive from both Ashworth’s left LB and the free right LB
Coverage: Brown does a 10 yard in with CB coverage
Givens does a 20 yard in behind Brown with NB coverage
Branch does his squirrel route with the CB sticking tight, but despite being under heavy pressure, Brady is able to fire a strike to Branch, who slid in front of the coverage from behind to catch the strategically low-thrown ball.

Analysis: This 7-man blitz was picked up fairly well, with Brady having to only step up to avoid one area of penetration, and despite being hit by a freed Schobel, there was still enough time for the perfect strike to Branch, who was able to elude McGee just enough to quickly catch the ball on the last leg of the squirrel route, the hook.

1st and 10 Buf 12

Result: Run, Dillon, right guard, 12 yds., TOUCHDOWN.
Offense: 3 WR, Givens wide right, Brown left slot, Branch wide left, Fauria TE down off RT, Dillon lone RB, Mruczkowski at LG, Hochstein at C.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, CBs 3-5 yards off the line.
Blocking: Ashworth holds the far edge against a DE before pushing him to the ground
Murczkowskipulls right and holds the right edge of the hole against the right LB
Hochstein gets too far downfield of his DT but spins back around and grabs the DT’s feet from behind just in time
Neal chips a DT into Gorin but falls to his knees, allowing the left LB comes through the line, albeit Dillon is already halfway to the endzone by then
Gorin has an easy job as Neal’s chip left the DT off-balance, where only a push downward from Gorin had the DT lying flat on his face
Fauria holds the DE just long enough for Dillon to get by, but loses control and falls to the ground after that
Givens drags in and knocks Milloy around

Analysis: This play was part blocking, where the edges of Dillon’s hole were secured, and half Dillon, where he beat McGee and Vincent to the edge, just knocking the pylon over on his slide resulting from a McGee push from behind.

Extra Point

Result: Converted

Score: New England 14 - Buffalo 0

 

[pats1]

That's all I have. I doubt I'll ever get to the rest of the game.

 

[mgcolby]

Thanks for reminding me about how cold I was that day! But all in all it was a great trip.