What miami did ..according to brady..

[FinNasty23]

Exactly. The way to attack that defense is to RUN THE BALL. Indy has somewhat of the same problem - their D-Line is entirely focused on rushing the QB. Miami uses its D-Line to pressure the passer, while the defensive backs focus almost entirely on the receivers. That should make them very vulnerable to the run.

It definitely hurt a lot not having Maroney, but Dillon and the others were still able to do quite well rushing the ball. I don't understand at all why we didn't focus more on the run, since it was working so well. Keep running the ball until their D-Line has to stop focusing on trying to get upfield to pressure Brady, and the safeties start coming in to try to stop the run - which makes them alter their coverage scheme. THEN pass.

That, and we should have focused a lot more on the RB and TE screens. Miami did a fair amount of blitzing - and teams that blitz and have their D-Line focus on rushing the QB are very vulnerable to screens. Yet, we hardly ran any. Very bad play-calling IMO. Not just that game, but much of the year. Our offensive schemes haven't really focused much on taking advantage of what the defense is doing (another example is against Indy, when we did wayyyy too much passing against a horrendous rush defense).

Our d is nothing like Indy's though. Yes, we try to rush the passer alot... but we are VERY good against the run... one of the better teams in the NFL actually.

 

[big mike]

Our d is nothing like Indy's though. Yes, we try to rush the passer alot... but we are VERY good against the run... one of the better teams in the NFL actually.

Personnel-wise Miami is better against the run than Indy - but strategy-wise the D Miami runs (at least the D they run against NE) makes them vulnerable to the run and screens. When the DLmen are focusing on getting to the QB, the best approach is to run and throw screens. DLmen trying to get upfield as quickly as possible are always vulnerable to getting run on. Trying to have the QB sit in the pocket and look for an open receiver doesn't work well against the style of defense Miami plays against the Pats, particularly considering how well the CBs are able to cover the WRs, with the safeties staying deep. Look at the stats. The run was working for NE Sunday. Because Miami was focused on shutting down the pass. Trying to go against that defensive strategy by passing more is just stupid IMO.

Again, look at the stats. I'm not saying Miami is as bad against the run as Indy, I'm saying they are far better against the pass than they are against the run. The defensive strategy and size of the DEs make them more vulnerable to the run and screen passes.