Hi everyone, first post here.
I do not take this game lightly one bit. The Pats are heading into the hell of all stadiums, against the number 1 defense in the league.
I think I'm most concerned with (in order) are:
1. Our offensive line - it has been banged up, and fairly inconsistent, though it did fare well against the Broncos and Bills pass rushers in the last two games (in the Arizona game Brady was getting sacked left and right). However, playing against Seattle's front seven is a whole new ball of wax. I am truly concerned about TB in this game. The NUMBER 1 priority for this game plan should be protecting TB. Be it by the offensive line providing all the necessary protection, or by going for run plays to take the pressure off of him. If he gets injured/rattled too much, game's over!
2. Establishing a solid run blocking. I don't expect the Pats to light up the scoreboard on this one, and I suspect most of our yards to come through the ground. When you go against the number 3 rush defense you need to make sure your blocking game is
as good as your runners, if not better.
3. Establish a good run defense. If they can shut down Marshawn Lynch, this game is pretty much in our pocket (barring any mistakes by our secondary on pass plays). Take the run game out of this team, and their are pretty much done.
4. AGGRESSIVE pass rush! Jones & Ninkovich need to step it up quite bit off the corners. Spikes, Hightower (if available, or Cunningham in his place), and Mayo need to be on full alert for any possible run plays and be ready to shut that down, or worse, chase Wilson down. Russell Wilson has great scrambling abilities. If the initial pass rush fails to miss him immediately following the snap, he will be very tough to chase and bring down. Being a good scrambler out of the pocket, he can buy himself some precious seconds to find an open target. And God knows how even a third string QB can look like Rodgers against our secondary.
5. The secondary needs to come in with their absolute A game. The Seahawk's only hope on the offensive's side is to throw the ball against our lousy secondary. That means no more reacting to the ball, but rather anticipating the ball. That means no more coverage with your back to the ball and your face/hands to the receiver.
If we can bring our absolute A game, and play hard nose downright aggressive game, we can come out with a win (and in the process - shut that nasty crowd down a bit).
Just my .02c