- Joined
- Dec 21, 2004
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Two games in a row now, Patriot opponents have clearly defined a few major objectives - and then gone out and succeeded in accomplishing them.
Jacksonville schemed to take Randy Moss out of the game and to take away all the intermediate and deep routes for the Patriots. This was a rousing success as Randy Moss was only thrown to once (for a 14 yard completion) and the Patriots only attempted one deep pass on about the only blitz that Jacksonville ran all day. Admittedly, the Patriots completed the 50+ yard pass, but Jacksonville conceded the possibility of a deep pass when they chose the blitz and man to man coverage on that one play.
Likewise, the Chargers planned to take away Randy Moss and to create turnovers. They also succeeded admirably. Randy Moss was a non-factor as far as being thrown to and the Chargers managed to intercept the ball 3 times, the most interceptions Tom Brady has thrown all year.
This being the case, neither Jacksonville nor San Diego ultimately stopped the Patriots offense from scoring their 20+ points. Neither could contain Wes Welker, passes to Maroney or Faulk out of the backfield or the running of Laurence Maroney. When they absolutely, positively needed a stop at the end of the game, the Patriots got the first downs (Stallworth against the Jaguars, Faulk twice against the Chargers).
This Patriots offense is too good. The defenses they face win the battles, but lose the war.
Jacksonville schemed to take Randy Moss out of the game and to take away all the intermediate and deep routes for the Patriots. This was a rousing success as Randy Moss was only thrown to once (for a 14 yard completion) and the Patriots only attempted one deep pass on about the only blitz that Jacksonville ran all day. Admittedly, the Patriots completed the 50+ yard pass, but Jacksonville conceded the possibility of a deep pass when they chose the blitz and man to man coverage on that one play.
Likewise, the Chargers planned to take away Randy Moss and to create turnovers. They also succeeded admirably. Randy Moss was a non-factor as far as being thrown to and the Chargers managed to intercept the ball 3 times, the most interceptions Tom Brady has thrown all year.
This being the case, neither Jacksonville nor San Diego ultimately stopped the Patriots offense from scoring their 20+ points. Neither could contain Wes Welker, passes to Maroney or Faulk out of the backfield or the running of Laurence Maroney. When they absolutely, positively needed a stop at the end of the game, the Patriots got the first downs (Stallworth against the Jaguars, Faulk twice against the Chargers).
This Patriots offense is too good. The defenses they face win the battles, but lose the war.