MMQB: How to Slow the Patriots' Offense

[FourierSeries]

Seems like most here believe that if they limit our offense then we are bound to lose. I think people forget just how good our defense is. Best defense we've had in a very long time, and it's not like they'll be going up against an offensive juggernaut. Their strength is the deep ball, but we have an elite secondary. They're also a good running team but our run D has been top notch as of late. Their Oline is also questionable. Our defense is not only very talented, but it matches up well with their offense.

I actually do believe that they will limit our offense. I think it'll look ugly for the most part, but our D will be the reason we win something like 17-14.

 

[mayoclinic]

Seems like most here believe that if they limit our offense then we are bound to lose. I think people forget just how good our defense is. Best defense we've had in a very long time, and it's not like they'll be going up against an offensive juggernaut.

Not at all. But I do think the converse is true: if the Ravens don't markedly limit our offense, then they can't win. The article cited in the OP is about how the Ravens might be able to slow our offense down, so naturally this thread is focused on that dimension.

 

[goheels22002]

They do have Lardarius Webb.

They do, indeed, and he's the best they got. Lardarius Webb has been struggling with a back injury all season and missed practice on a regular basis for "rest." He grades out as bottom 12 cornerback according to ProFootballFocus and is expected to be released.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5331/lardarius-webb

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Hit Tom Brady...that's how you slow it down

 

[SacPete1]

BTW- If the Ravens think they are going to get to Brady with a 4 man rush, they are going to be disappointed. They only way a 4 man rush is going to get there is if its part of zone blitz package. I think the Ravens are going to be in some kind of blitz/stunt 50% of the time. maybe more when they discover a straight 4 man rush isn't going to do the job.

Agreed which is why I hope the Pats come out passing with an empty backfield. I know some believe that its important to establish the run early and I really don't agree. I think this is a passing game with the run complementing it. Plus you can't run those stunts well when the backfield is empty or if Vereen is motioning.

With that said, watch them come out heavy and run it 5 straight times.

 

[Gronkowski123]

rush 4 drop everyone into coverage.
we have no deep threat, so they will clog the middle. same thing happens every year and our offense fails in the post season. we have to run to keep some sort of balance.
go pats!

 

[Gronkowski123]

Agreed which is why I hope the Pats come out passing with an empty backfield. I know some believe that its important to establish the run early and I really don't agree. I think this is a passing game with the run complementing it. Plus you can't run those stunts well when the backfield is empty or if Vereen is motioning.

With that said, watch them come out heavy and run it 5 straight times.

first drive..two runs 2-3 yards.
third and long, incomplete. lol

 

[mihap]

Cmon, we all know that Brady hates interior rush, and sometimes with good secondary 4 man caused us problems. Thats the plan for all HOF QB. In last Jets game we all saw how easy they ve started, how the O-line was and when Pats started no huddle, easy TD. But Geno Smith playing like a Hof in TD drive, Sheldon Richardson is a beast so he caused us some problems, he put Wendell on his butt like Gronk doing that to CBs. When Connoly was healthy they were quite good even at Lions. Sure they had problems but all teams even Cowboys with theirs O-line had problems with Suh&co

 

[Fencer]

I'm in the camp that the first drive of any game should be hurry up from an extreme set -- spread or power as the case may be. And against the Ravens that would be spread.

After that, however, I'd get into the usual complex mix of sets and plays, and hope that Brady can get through the worst of whatever tricky disguises they've come up with just for him without blowing too many drives in the process.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

first drive..two runs 2-3 yards.
third and long, incomplete. lol

Ah Josh's "Lull them into complacency approach"

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

After reading all these different approaches I only hope the Ravens DC is reading this thread because his head will be spinning in confusion and he will be revising his game plan with chaotic results Saturday.

 

[GaryfromTO]

the Ravens could always bring Ray Rice to Gillette and just have him punch out every Patriot who exits the elevators

 

[goheels22002]

The best course for the Ravens might be:
1) Accept reality
2) Play not to get hurt
3) Pat yourselves on the back for making the playoffs, and
4) Complain bitterly about the Patriots running up the score

 

[BradyManny]

We should be able to counteract the chipping and attention to Gronk by lining him up all over the field. We already do, but I wonder if we'll see it even more.

Remember the AFCDG v Tebow where we brought Hernandez out of the backfield. I'd love to show Baltimore something on that first drive that they are not ready for, drive it down their throats and go up 7-0 (I'm assuming the D has forced Flacco into a punt already, and that we deferred the toss.)

 

[mayoclinic]

Cmon, we all know that Brady hates interior rush, and sometimes with good secondary 4 man caused us problems. Thats the plan for all HOF QB.

I don't think there's a QB in the league who doesn't hate interior pressure. It's instant offense kryptonite. The combination of interior pressure and a good secondary is even more deadly. Any team with a good secondary and a defensive front capable of getting 4 man pressure, including interior pressure, is going to make life very very hard for any opponent. Fortunately for us, the Ravens are not that team. Seattle could well be, though.

 

[Kontradiction]

The method remains the same...

1. Pressure Brady with a four man rush.

2. Flood the field between the numbers.

The first is easier said than done.

 

[PATS16N0]

So....

1. Blitz sometimes, but sometimes don't blitz.

2. Pay attention to where Gronk is.

3. Know the Patriots run a Patriot offense.

4. Try to disguise plays and make QB read defense.

Wow. That's some real insightful stuff right there. No wonder the Jets won the divisi~.

Ohhh....

 

[PatCat]

The patriots don't have any great guys on offense outside of gronk and TFB. BUT they have a s%#t load of guys who do a bunch of things very well. The pats will adjust to the ratbirds D and counter it everytime. I'm assuming the ratbirds DC is aware of this, our offense will be key but our D will win it for us. #Defensewinschampionships#

 

[PATS16N0]

This works for the Jets because the Jets have (had) a creative blitzer with years of experience playing us in the division.

If the OrangeMane, however, is throwing a party right now because the `cat has been let out off the bag`, they are gonna' be disappoint.

 

[IllegalContact]

Rush four flood the middle of the field and dare the patriots to beat you on the outside. The problem with this only a handful of teams in the league can get pressure with 3 or 4 rushers

and once the pats realized this against the jets, vereen and bolden ran at will on the outside.