The Matchups

[bakes781]

When the Pats run:

The run blocking has been excellent. The addition of Maroney has given the offense a new dimension. SD has not been stellar against the run. In order to counter the aggressiveness of Merriman & Co. running the ball, especially in the redzone will be crucial to a W. ADV=Pats​

When the Pats pass:

Pass protection has been the biggest weakness for NE. With the amount of pressure the Chargers can bring it's going to be very difficult for Brady. Granted their DBs are probably the biggest weakness for SD. ADV=Bolts​

When the Bolts run:

There is no doubt who the player to key on offense for SD is. LT is quite possibly the most explosive player ever. The Pats tackling has been inconsistent at best this season. Harrison's absence will be noticed on Sunday. ADV=Bolts​

When the Bolts pass:

Rivers inexperience could be a problem for SD. The Patriots should be able to confuse him with multiple looks. Gates is a huge target however & could create mismatch problems. ADV=Pats​

Special Teams:

This is where the deciding factor could be. Both Ks are young, but Kaeding has a couple of years in the league now. He's become a solid kicker for SD. The other issue is with the Pats return coverage. It's been horrid all season & in a game this closely contested field position could be the difference between 3 & 7. ADV=Bolts​

Prediction:

Bolts 27
Pats 24

:bricks:

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

If the Bolts can't get pressure on Brady or overpursue plays and Brady has enough time they are in trouble.





January 9th, 2007
Tale of the Tape
Posted by Albert Breer at 6:31 pm

Leftovers caught on film from a very impressive 37-16 win over the Jets on Sunday. …

– For obvious reasons, the biggest concern the Patriots had on Sunday was in pass protection. And it was clear that the team was intent on it not becoming an issue from the jump. When under center, QB Tom Brady took three-step drops almost exclusively and unloaded the ball quickly. Shotgun three-step drops — which act as five-step drops would under center — were used for longer-developing route combinations. And Brady rarely went beyond his first read, which was usually there with the middle a bit empty because of the rush, as the Patriots seemed to be trying to clear out for underneath receivers constantly by running multiple targets downfield. So as the Jets sent consistent, veiled pressure, the Patriots used quick drops and reads to get the ball out quick. The first time the Patriots veered from this strategy — on a five-step shotgun drop on a third-and-3 late in the first quarter — Brady was nearly picked by Kerry Rhodes throwing a deep out cut to Benjamin Watson. From there on, just about every deep drop Brady took came off of play action. And the Jets did back off a little bit from their early, consistent stream of six-man pressure packages

Just thank the Jets and Dolphins for helping to prepare the Pats for this kind of pressure on the QB.

 

[The Dude]

Lots of screens and slants should keep the sd defense honest