Cincinnati Breakdown

[pats1]

This is one I do want to get a good look at (I broke down only one painful drive from last week).

I know Box's power went out during the game, so until he can watch the rest from the NFL Replay, I'll start out with the third quarter later tonight.

 

[Lockdown06]

bump to the top cause i know people want it to be up there.

 

[Marvin_for_prez]

As my gift to Pats fans, here is the breakdown:
















































































You guys kicked our asses.

 

[pats1]

Offensive Series #7 Missed Field Goal

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 15:00 remaining in the third quarter
Statistics: 9 plays (5 run, 3 pass, 1 field goal), 32 yards (37 run, 5 pass, -10 penalty), time of possession was 3:40
Breakdown: 4 green plays (3 run, 1 pass) for 46 yds. (41 run, 5 pass), 4 red plays (2 run, 2 pass, 1 field goal) for -4 yds. (-4 run, 0 pass), 10 penalty yards lost for the Patriots.

1st and 10 NE 38

Result: Run, Dillon, stretch play left, 5 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel wide left, Caldwell wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Graham down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, CBs press coverage.
Blocking: Gabriel gets the inside angle on the RCB but loses it as the run is bounced outside
Watson turns the RDE inside but in the backfield
Light chips the RDE and then the SLB following Dillon outside
Mankins and Koppen double the RDT, and the MLB joins the party
Neal and Britt double the LDT
Graham stands up the LDE

Analysis: Watson got pushed into the backfield off the snap but did a good job of recovering by steering the RDE inside. However, this took away Dillon’s hole, forcing him to bounce the run outside. The FS came up very quickly to fill the outside hole, but Dillon used the stiff arm to turn the corner and finally start downfield. If the run hit the intended hole inside, Gabriel’s block would have been perfect. Instead, the outside cut left the RCB with the angle. That RCB would break off and force Dillon out of bounds.

2nd and 5 NE 43

Result: Run, Dillon, stretch play right, 2 yds.
PENALTY on NE-D.Graham, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 45 – No Play. {C.Dillon (NE#28) credited with 2 yards rushing due to the penalty}
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel wide left, Caldwell wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Graham down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, CBs press coverage, FS in box over left wing.
Blocking: Watson gets his body inside of the RDE to hold the backside
Light pulls right and seals the MLB outside in the intended hole
Mankins turns the RDT outside
Koppen and Neal double the LDT to open a hole, while Neal breaks off to pick up the WLB pursuing
Britt stands up the LDE but loses him as the run bounces outside
Graham drives the SLB downfield multiple yards then outside, tugging on his jersey as the SLB spins to break free
Caldwell blocks the LCB downfield

Analysis: Excellent block to start off by Graham, completely bulldozing the SLB almost entirely out of the play. When Dillon was forced outside because of a mediocre angle on the MLB by Light, the SLB spun to regain his angle, but Graham had his jersey in a bearhug and sent the SLB to his knees. The MLB, WLB, FS, and LDE would all break off their blocks once Dillon changed the angles, and forced the run outside for about a gain of 4 yards.

2nd and 13 NE 35

Result: Pass, Gabriel, Incomplete, 10 yard flag, pass underthrown under pressure.
Offense: 2 WR, Caldwell wide left, Gabriel wide right, 2 TE, Graham down off LT, Watson motion right to left wing, Maroney lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB showing blitz left wing, SS in box over left wing, both CBs press converge.
Blocking: Graham turns the blitzing SLB Brooks outside before backpedaling out in a route
Light attempts to cut the RDE, who out quicks and drops into the throwing lane
Mankins chips the RDT inside before standing up the stunting LDT
Koppen is bull rushed back by the slanting RDT, but Koppen is able to give him a few knocks away from Brady
Neal falls into the side of the LDE
Britt stands up the LDE
Coverage: Maroney flares into the left flat
Watson does an outside slant on the SS
Caldwell is jammed
Gabriel inside position on the flag route but the pass falls short and wide

Analysis: Neal was very close to a chop block on this play. He turned outside and set up as if he was going to cut block, but with Britt fully engaged with the LDE, Neal decided to just throw his body at the side of the LDE, which looked at a distance to be a classic chop block. The protection was generally good, but Koppen fell victim to an inside stunt that had the RDT with good penetration on Brady. When Watson went in motion, the LBs shaded to the left and the SS was brought down, clogging up both of Graham and Watson’s short routes on the left side. Caldwell was jammed, and just stopped his route as Brady threw right to the isolated Gabriel. All along his route, Gabriel tried different cuts and jukes to try to gain separation from the LCB, but to no avail. However, Gabriel did have an ideal position on his route and superior size, neither of which were of aid when Brady one-hopped the throw.

3rd and 13 NE 35

Result: Scramble, Brady, up the middle, 22 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Caldwell wide left, Brown left slot, Gabriel wide right, TE Watson standing left wing, RB Faulk to right of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-2-5 nickel, standing LDT showing blitz over RG, all 3 CBs press coverage.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside and gets help from Mankins
Mankins stays in with Koppen before sliding out to help Light
Koppen turns the RDT outside offensive right
Neal rides the LDT outside
Britt rides the LDE outside
Coverage: Caldwell beats the jam inside and goes deep
Brown beats the NB deep
Gabriel beats the jam inside and goes deep
Watson goes up the seam against the SLB
Faulk flares into the flat against the WLB

Analysis: The pass rush was contained to the outsides and then sealed. All deep routes cleared out the DBs and LBs, leaving Brady a huge hole up the middle as his best option.

 

[pats1]

1st and 10 Cin 43

Result: Run, Maroney, up the middle, 14 yds.
Offense: WR Jackson wide right, 2 TE, Graham down off LT, Watson down left wing, I-form backfield with Evans at FB and Maroney at RB.
Defense: 4-3, RCB off left wing, LCB press coverage.
Blocking: Watson can’t get the angle on the RDE after Graham breaks off
Graham chips the RDE outside before getting a piece of the WLB then MLB
Light engages the WLB in the second level but is pushed down by Koppen, who can’t catch up to the WLB after
Mankins turns the RDT outside and leverages him to the ground
Koppen searches in the second level and finds a target in his teammate Light
Neal seals the LDT inside
Britt seals the LDE outside
Evans engages the SLB in the hole
Jackson plays cat and mouse with the FS ahead of the run

Analysis: Excellent blocking to open the hole, but mediocre everywhere else. Light and Graham got a few hits on the LBs following the play in the second level, but inexplicably Koppen shoved Light to the ground from behind, letting the WLB loose, while Graham breaking off the RDE left Watson without an angle and thus the RDE was also free. Evans and the SLB collided violently in the hole, but the force of the blow bounced the SLB out of the hole and Evans into the backfield. On the outside, Jackson left the LCB inside, stopped momentarily to watch the direction of Maroney’s run, then targeted the FS. When Maroney bounced outside in the second level trying to break away from the chasing LCB, the FS beat Jackson outside towards the spot, but Maroney cut back inside to give Jackson the angle once again. The RDE, LCB, and SS would converge shortly thereafter for the tackle.

1st and 10 Cin 29

Result: Run, Maroney, up the middle, -6 yds.
Offense: WR Jackson wide right, 2 TE, Graham down off LT, Watson down right wing, I-form backfield with Evans at FB and Maroney at RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB tight over left wing, RCB floating off left wing, FS in box over right wing, LCB press coverage.
Blocking: Watson drives the SLB off the edge
Graham is beaten inside by the RDE
Light pulls left and kicks the RCB off
Mankins chips the RDT before engaging the WLB
Koppen can’t get an angle on the RDT, who breaks free into the backfield
Neal chips the LDT before doubling the WLB with Mankins
Britt slants into the LDT
Evans engages the MLB in the intended hole

Analysis: Just like the week prior against the Broncos, the Pats experienced limited success when the called virtually the same play two downs in a row. Here, the blocking scheme on the strong side of the line was questionable at best. Instead of using Light to secure the RDE and Graham to pull and kick out the RCB, Graham had the nearly impossible task of getting the inside angle on the RDE a yard to Graham’s right, all the while getting a drive block downfield. Koppen fared similarly poor, allowing the RDT, along with the free LDE on the backside, to give Maroney no chance at all in the backfield.

2nd and 16 Cin 35

Result: Pass, Graham, quick out, 5 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 2 WR, Gabriel wide right, Caldwell right slot, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Graham down off RT, Faulk RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-3, RDE standing, MLB showing blitz over RG, WLB split out between slot WR and TE, RCB 5 yards off left wing, LCB 10 yards off.
Blocking; Light rides the RDT outside
Mankins picks up the blitzing SLB Brooks
Koppen stands up the LDT
Neal picks up the blitzing MLB Simmons
Britt rides the LDE outside
Faulk helps Mankins with the SLB
Coverage: Watson goes up the seam against the RDE and RCB
Graham does a quick out into the empty right flat
Caldwell and Gabriel clear out the LCB and WLB deep

Analysis: And unorthodox offensive formation sparked a similarly interesting coverage scheme from the defense. The RDE dropped back in coverage, the MLB and SLB blitzed, and the WLB covered the right slot WR instead of the RCB coming over to do the same. The blitz was picked up flawlessly, and a throwing lane was open for a wide open Graham in the flat.

3rd and 11 Cin 30

Result: Pass, Caldwell, Incomplete, short whip route, pass thrown high.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Gabriel wide left, Brown left slot, Caldwell motion wide to tight right, TE Watson down off RT, Faulk RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 4-1-6 dime, LDT standing, NB showing blitz left wing, SS press over slot WR, both CBs press coverage, DB and FS deep.
Blocking: Light picks up the blitzing NB Joseph
Mankins is bull rushed by the RDE, but holds his ground
Koppen chips the stunting RDT before standing up the LDE
Neal sits back in reserve
Britt rides the stunting RDT outside
Coverage: Faulk wheels into the left flat against the MLB
Gabriel avoids the jam and goes deep against the RCB
Brown avoids the jam and goes deep against the SS
Watson does a 15 yard out against the LDT and DB
Caldwell gets outside positioning on a 5 yard whip route

Analysis: As Phil Simms would note after the play, it’s obvious that this pass was actually intended for Watson, who was about 5 yards downfield of Caldwell. Otherwise, there would be no logical reason for him throwing to a short route on 3rd and long. Watson had the DB beat near the sideline, but Brady apparently wanted to keep the pass low for velocity. Caldwell instead tried to haul in what he thought was a high pass, and it would glance off his hands.

4th and 11 Cin 30

Result: Missed Field Goal, Gostkowski, wide right.

Score: New England 14 – Cincinnati 6

 

[pats1]

Breer's 'Tale of the Tape':

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

October 3rd, 2006
Tale of the tape
Posted by Albert Breer at 4:24 pm

The final tally from Sunday’s blowout (and be sure to scroll down for John’s story on the broken wrist of Ellis Hobbs):

– The Bengals’ biggest problem was what seemed to be a complete unwillingness to take what New England gave them. The Patriots didn’t bring much pressure until late, instead lining up their outside corners 8 yards off the ball and flooding the deep parts of the field with coverage. And leaving spaces underneath open. But instead of nickel-and-diming the Patriots to death, Carson Palmer continued to insist on going down the field and toward the sidelines. It’s no coincidence that Cincinnati’s biggest play of the day was a simple slant to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who caught the ball over the top of Junior Seau and — with open field to work with — went 33 yards. Had they kept going underneath, and had Palmer been more accurate on intermediate throws, there may have been a lot more of that.

– It’s been said, but it’s worth mentioning again: outstanding, outstanding effort by the offensive line. With RT Ryan O’Callaghan shelved, Wesley Britt and Nick Kaczur split time and the group dominated. The running numbers (236 yards) make this team’s point-of-attack excellence obvious. But what may have been even better was the pass protection. There was not a single Bengal that came free into the pocket and adjustments made by Tom Brady and the line worked to perfection, which put the team in position to matchup, slide and change on the fly. Also, the play of the line allowed five receivers to release on plenty of plays, which put pressure on the coverage and enhanced the passing game. It’s worth noting that a pass pro check, keeping Kevin Faulk in to block as the Bengals rushed six, and the protection to follow set up Doug Gabriel’s 25-yard scoring catch in the second quarter.

– The coaches deserve to take a bow. First, there was little pattern to what they were doing defensively, mixing and match their base 3-4 with 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 nickel looks. And while the 3-4, generally, is going to be your best run defense away from the goal line, it actually was the nickel, four-man-front look that did the best job to stop Rudi Johnson. That may tell you just how good that defensive line really is.

– Confused about Laurence Maroney’s cold-then-hot couple weeks? Here’s something to watch. Maroney seems to be markedly better and ran more decisively when following a lead blocker, rather than running out of the Patriots’ balanced one-back set where he has to find the seam and go. To wit: his second-quarter touchdown run came out of the I, with Heath Evans leading him around the corner and to the end zone from 11 yards out. Then, on the first drive of the third quarter, it was Evans again leading Maroney into the teeth of the defense for 14 yards. On the team’s next drive, Maroney ripped off a 25-yard touchdown after Daniel Graham motioned from his H-back spot to lead for the tailback. And the drive after that, Graham again was motioned inside to lead Maroney, this time for a 41-yard gain. The rookie seems to be much more comfortable with a lead blocker, which he had most of the time at Minnesota, and that’s common for a rookie back. Adjusting to the speed of the game, it can help a first-year guy to have an escort to the hole instead of forcing him to find the seam on his own. On Sunday, it consistently got Maroney to the second level of the defense, where he’s just plain filthy.

– Maybe the biggest difference on Sunday was the Patriots’ overwhelming field position victory. The rundown on the starting points of the Patriots’ six scoring drives, five of them going for touchdowns: NE 17, CIN 42, NE 38, NE 6 (F.G.), CIN 13, CIN 29. After average drive starts of the opponents’ 24, 27 and 21, respectively, over the first three weeks, the Patriots’ average start on Sunday was at their own 35.

– That miss by K Stephen Gostkowski was Vanderjagt-level off. Not even close.

 

[pats1]

Defensive Series #7 Touchdown

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 11:20 remaining in the third quarter
Statistics: 7 plays (5 run, 3 pass, 1 field goal), 62 yards (37 run, 5 pass), time of possession was 4:17
Breakdown: 1 green play (0 run, 1 pass) for -1 yds., 6 red plays (3 run, 3 pass) for 63 yds. (13 run, 50 pass)

1st and 10 Cin 38

Result: Pass, R. Johnson, dumpoff underneath, -1 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, 1 left, 1 right slot, FB motion backfield to wide right, TE down off LT, R. Johnson lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, Colvin press over right slot WR, Harrison press over LWR with Samuel 10 yards back, C. Scott 5 yards off FB wide right.
Blocking: Seymouris doubled by the LT and LG
Wilfork bull rushes the C back
Warren is doubled by the RG and RT
Coverage: Vrabel drops into the left flat and levels the RWR cutting across
Bruschi picks the TE up the seam
Seau drops into a zone
Colvin releases the WR across before dropping back into a zone
Harrison plays the inside of the LWR
Samuel plays deep on the LWR
C. Scott sticks with the FB short pattern

Analysis: Vrabel did a great job of shoving down the RWR C. Johnson, who Palmer originally looked to, forcing the dumpoff to R. Johnson. With J. Johnson’s route smothered and the LWR in double coverage, Palmer had to pass underneath the 4-point LB zone. Colvin was the closest LB in the area, and came up to actually strip the ball from R. Johnson, but not before forward progress was lost.

2nd and 11 Cin 37

Result: Run, R. Johnson, left guard, 5 yds.
Offense: 2 WR, 1 motion right slot to wide left, 1 right, I-form backfield with R. Johnson at RB.
Defense: 3-4, C. Scott press on RWR, Samuel backs off LWR after motion.
Blocking: Seymourbreaks off the LT inside, but R. Johnson goes outside
Wilfork can’t shed the C
Warren is turned outside by the RT
Vrabel sets the edge against the TE
Bruschi is held off by the LG
Seau is held off by the RG
Colvin can’t get around the backside FB
Harrison is blocked by the LWR just ahead of the run

Analysis: Seymour held his ground in the 2-gap nicely to begin with, but got greedy as Johnson approached and gambled on the inside hole. Johnson cut left and just barely broke through the outside hole before Vrabel scraped off the TE and wrapped up Johnson.

3rd and 6 Cin 42

Result: Pass, Houshmandzadeh, crossing pattern underneath, pass thrown low under pressure, 32 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, 1 left, 2 right, 2 RBs flanking Palmer in shotgun.
Defense: 3-2-6 dime, Colvin-Seymour-Green line, Bruschi showing blitz late over LG, Vrabel showing blitz right wing, T. Brown as MLB, Poteat press slot WR, C. Scott and Samuel 10 yards off.
Blocking: Colvin rushes, stops, then continues on the LT
Seymourslants into the LG
Bruschi keeps his footing after a cut attempt by the LRB, then pressures Palmer
Green bounces off the C before stunting around Seymour and pressures Palmer
Vrabel rides the RT outside
Coverage: Poteat jams the slot WR before picking up the RRB wheel
C. Scott picks up the RWR deep
Brown releases the RRB to the flat before chasing the slot WR across the middle
Harrison falls to his face after being faked out a few times trying to angle Houshmandzadeh to the sideline
Samuel is blocked by the LWR after a deep route
Hawkins comes over to help Samuel on the stop

Analysis: The pass rush worked out well, with Seymour essentially setting a screen on the C, allowing the quicker Green to beat the C on the stunt. Bruschi was slowed by the LRB, but never stopped going at the QB. Green would slam down Palmer after the pass, but it wasn’t enough to disrupt the play. Blitzing both LBs was asking for trouble, though, as it left Troy Brown to man the entire short middle of the field. Poteat was dragged outside and the CBs cleared out deep. Brown was saddled with the almost impossible task of sticking with a WR in an open section of the field like that. Troy should have taken a slightly safer approach and backed off to make the tackle after the catch, but with Troy’s speed that would have been dangerous too. Troy trailed on the route and tried to get a hand in front of the pass, but to no avail. He stumbled to the ground, and Rodney met a similar fate downfield after he was faked out of his shoes multiple times. It would take the final man, Hawkins, with some help from Samuel, to finally get Houshmandzadeh down.

 

[pats1]

1st and 10 NE 26

Result: Run, R. Johnson, right guard, 6 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, 2 right, 1 motion tight right to left, 6th OL down off LT, R. Johnson lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, Vrabel floating over slot WR, both CBs 10 yards off.
Blocking: Seymouris kept on the backside by the 6th OL
Wilfork is turned outside left but the C, and falls to one knee
Warren holds his ground against the RT, then breaks off to help on the stop
Colvin meets traffic on the backside
Bruschi jostles with the LG, sheds, and makes the stop
Seau holds his ground in the hole against the RG
Vrabel is blocked on the edge by the slot WR
Harrison and Hawkins charge down unblocked to help on the stop

Analysis: Wilfork was thrown off and almost to the ground to open a big hole, but Bruschi did a great job of filling it, albeit in the second level, by swatting away the LG with his hands, keeping his upfield vision, then shedding and making the tackle. Harrison and Hawkins would both push back to the pile to prevent the extra yard or two. Seau did a good job of holding his ground, and while he wasn’t able to break off his block, he still prevented the play from bouncing outside and away from Bruschi.

2nd and 4 NE 20

Result: Pass, C. Johnson, comeback pattern, 9 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, 2 right, 1 motion tight right to left, 6th OL down off LT, R. Johnson lone RB.
Defense: 3-4, Bruschi showing blitz late over LG, Hawkins comes up over slot WR then backs off, Harrison comes up in box left wing, both CBs 10 yards off.
Blocking: Colvin beats the 6th OL around the edge and comes very close to strip-sacking Palmer
Seymouris stood up by the LT
Wilfork is stood up by the C
Warren bull rushes the RG
Vrabel rides the RT outside
Coverage: Bruschi backs off his blitz and sits in a short zone
Seau shadows the RB coming through the line
Harrison drops back to help Samuel with the LWR
C. Scott plays behind the RWR on the comeback pattern
Hawkins comes back up on the slot WR’s short route

Analysis: Some more blitz action on this play, but again the only pressure – a XXXVIII Vrabel-esque play from Colvin – came just after Palmer got the pass off. With no safety help and the endzone breathing down his neck, Scott took the safe route and didn’t try to jump C. Johnson’s route, and instead immediately took him down after Johnson hauled in the high pass.

1st and 10 NE 11

Result: Pass, C. Johnson, screen left, 9 yds.
Offense: 3 WR, 2 bunch right, 1 wide left, FB motion offset right to C and back, R. Johnson RB.
Defense: 3-4, Colvin tight left wing, Vrabel tight over right slot WR, both CBs playing back.
Blocking: Colvin starts in on the LG before backing off on the screen
Seymouris doubled by the LT and LG
Wilfork engages the C
Warren is stood up by the RT
Bruschi and Seau both crash down
Vrabel is engaged by the slot WR, then RWR
Coverage: Samuel sets and waits, but cannot stop a spinning LWR
Harrisonwraps up a spinning LWR

Analysis: The run blocking scheme crashed the LBs down without a play action, catching them in traffic to leave C. Johnson 1v2 on the outside. Johnson eluded Samuel, but was taken down by Harrison shortly thereafter.

2nd and 1 NE 2

Result: Run, R. Johnson, right guard, 2 yds., TOUCHDOWN.
Offense: 2 WR, 1 left, 1 motion left slot to RT, TE down off RT, I-form backfield with R. Johnson at RB.
Defense: 3-4, DL pinched, OLBs tight, Bruschi showing blitz late over RG, C. Scott press on WR motion, Samuel press on LWR, Harrison press over TE.
Blocking: Seymouris turned outside by the LG
Wilfork is turned outside left by the C
Warren gets penetration but is steered inside by the RT
Colvin is kept on the backside by the LT
Seau engages the FB and is turned inside
Bruschi is speared off the line by the RG
Vrabel sets the edge against the RWR
Harrison is pushed back into the endzone by the TE
C. Scott waits in the hole for the RB, who bounces off and into the endzone

Analysis: Cincinnati didn’t have to their jumbo package, which forced the defense to stay in the default 3-4 personnel combo. Vrabel set the edge, but there was nothing inside to stop the RB besides a 205-pound DB in Chad Scott standing at the 1. Warren didn’t keep his 2-gap assignment, Harrison, Bruschi, and Seau were all driven off by blocks, and Wilfork and Seymour were turned away, leaving a large hole for R. Johnson with only C. Scott in his way.

Extra Point

Result: Converted

Score: New England 14 – Cincinnati 13

 

[pats1]

Offensive Series #8 Touchdown

Contributor: Pats1
Time: 7:03 remaining in the third quarter
Statistics: 5 plays (2 run, 3 pass), 75 yards (26 run, 34 pass, 15 penalty), time of possession was 2:36
Breakdown: 3 green plays (1 run, 2 pass) for 59 yds. (25 run, 34 pass), 2 red plays (1 run, 1 pass) for 1 yd. (1 run, 0 pass), 15 penalty yards gained for the Patriots.

Kickoff: Faulk from the NE 3, 22 yd. return, Faulk tries to squeeze between good Neal and Wright blocks before Neal loses his angle.

1st and 10 NE 25

Result: Pass, Graham, quick hook, 15 yds.
Offense: 4 WR, Gabriel wide left, Watson left slot, Caldwell right slot, Dillon wide right, TE Graham standing right wing.
Defense: 4-3, WLB showing blitz over LT, SLB 5 yards off right slot, both CBs press coverage.
Blocking: Light cuts at the RDE, who scoots back to avoid
Mankins sits in reserve
Koppen bounces off the RDT, who drops back in coverage
Neal gets help from Koppen with the LDT
Britt bends like he will cut block but doesn’t
Coverage: Gabriel is jammed by the RCB
Watson slants against the WLB
Graham does a quick hook underneath the MLB
Caldwell does a quick out on the SLB
Dillon does a sideline route on the LCB

Analysis: The Patriots used their base 2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB set, but spread all of them out as WRs to stretch the defense. With the MLB in a deep zone and the SLB occupied by Watson, Caldwell and Graham exploited the WLB. Caldwell froze the WLB with a quick out, buying time for Graham to find the void in the middle and Brady to fire it in. Graham would turn and grab some more yards after the catch.

1st and 10 NE 40

Result: Pass, Graham, Incomplete, quick hook, pass thrown away under pressure.
Offense: Shotgun 4 WR, Gabriel wide left, Watson left slot, Caldwell right slot, Dillon wide right, TE Graham standing right wing.
Defense: 4-3, MLB and SLB showing blitz inside, WLB 5 yards off Watson, both CBs press coverage.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside before being bull rushed back into Brady
Mankins chips the RDT before sliding outside to help Light
Koppen stands up the RDT
Neal is beaten outside by the blitzing SLB after the LDT drops off
Britt is beaten inside by the LDE but steers him away left
Coverage: Gabriel beats the jam inside from the RCB and goes deep
Watson goes deep on the WLB
Graham hooks into MLB and LDT zones
Caldwell beats the jam inside from the LCB and goes deep
Dillon does a sideline route

Analysis: The Pats used the same offensive set here, but this time setting up in the shotgun motioning Dillon out and Graham tighter in (although it’s entirely possible the same motioning occurred on the last play and CBS just didn’t cut in time to show it.) The play was virtually the same, but the coverage altered so that a CB was Caldwell and there was more of a LB presence inside. This time, Graham was smothered and really only included in the play-by-play because Brady threw it away at the ground in front of him. The protection also broke down big time, as Light and Neal were unable to hold their ground, forcing Brady to start sprinting back to buy time.

2nd and 10 NE 40

Result: Run, Dillon, right tackle, 1 yd.
Offense: 2 WR, Gabriel wide left, Caldwell wide right, 2 TE, Watson down off LT, Graham down off RT, Dillon lone RB.
Defense: 4-3, SLB tight over Watson, WLB comes over Graham late, both CBs press coverage.
Blocking: Watson seals the SLB outside
Light is driven back towards the run by the RDE but isn’t shed
Mankins pulls right, through the hole, but can’t engage the MLB or SS
Koppen turns the RDT outside left
Neal and Britt double the LDT
Graham bounces around with the LDE

Analysis: Credit the stuff on this play to the sheer size and strength of the LDT, Sam Adams. Against both Neal and Britt, he didn’t give an inch in true NT-fashion. This, combined with Graham’s inability to corral the LDE left Dillon hole-less. When Dillon tried to bounce outside, the SLB was right there, unblocked, to stop the play. Mankins pulled through the hole and was going to lead block, but it was already too late.

3rd and 9 NE 41

Result: Pass, Gabriel, 20 yard square-in, 19 yds.
Offense: Shotgun 3 WR, Gabriel wide left, Brown left slot, Caldwell motion wide to slot right, TE Watson down off RT, Faulk RB to left of Brady in shotgun.
Defense: 3-3-5 nickel, WLB showing blitz left wing, all 3 CBs press coverage.
Blocking: Light rides the RDE outside
Mankins stands up the RDT
Koppen stands up the stunting LDE
Neal picks up the stunting LDT wide
Britt helps Koppen inside
Coverage: Faulk comes through and into the right flat
Gabriel beats the RCB inside on a square-in
Brown clears the NB out deep
Watson goes outside on the SLB
Caldwell cuts underneath uncovered

Analysis: Very good protection against the 4-man rush. Brady bought time with a few sidesteps in a clean pocket. The WLB, MLB, SLB, and LCB all appeared to be in short zones, and were occupied by short routes by Caldwell and Faulk. This left a void in the deep middle, and Gabriel found it against man coverage, beating the RCB on his cut. The safeties and NB were occupied deeper by Brown’s route.

1st and 10 Cin 40

Result: Timeout, Cincinnati – 2 remaining in the second half.

Analysis: CBS cut to what looked like a sneak up the middle of some sorts, flags flew, but it was ruled the Bengals called a timeout before the snap.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The one thing that stood out on the offensive series, is how well each player performed their assigned role, particularly how the WR/TE/RB's complementary routes created opportunities for Tommy to find someone winning their match-up after another receiver drew off any potential assistance. We see all the time how the line play is a team effort that includes Tommy and the RB/TEs, but it looks like CBS gave you a better look at the secondary with the receivers finessing passing lanes in the coverage - though I note we're both getting the same producer's chap on our backsides when they keep the camera off the field until the play is already starting - here's to the day when they'll have the coach's tape channel for we amateur analysts!