Devonta Freeman: We can do whatever we want against NE Defense

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

If Alex Mack really is suffering something like a high ankle sprain, he's going to get bull rushed all night by Branch and Brown. If that pocket collapses as a result, the Atlanta offense isn't doing much no matter what Freeman thinks. Just ask the '07 Pats.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Kid~Brady]

He's been right so far, nobody has really stopped them. Only Seattle's defense is anywhere near as good as ours, and they didn't stop them (in the playoffs). Even in their losses, only Philadelphia kept them under 24 points (held them to 15 points). So even in a majority of their losses, they scored 24+ points. That's a really potent offense.

But Atlanta's biggest test will be our #1 scoring defense. And THEIR defense, has only faced 1 offense that has scored more than the Pats, New Orleans. Even though they beat New Orleans twice, New Orleans scored 32 points in both games. Pats have been averaging 31 points a game WITHOUT Gronk.

Should be interesting. I think it's gonna be a good game. I don't think this is really bulletin board material.

New Orleans also doesn't have a smidgen of defense, so they have to always score that many points. The Patriots defense has been pretty stout this year so we didn't always need to score huge points to beat teams. Falcons had to score that many points to win.

 

[Deus Irae]

That's my biggest worry, and has been, since the Pats drew them in the Super Bowl. My best guess is three safeties and dropping Chung in the box since none of the Pats LB's can cover either Freeman or Coleman. That opens up the running game of course as the Falcons would counter that smaller front by trying to pound it at the Pats. But Chung is my best guess.

I won't be shocked to see a lot of 7 DB play.

 

[Kid~Brady]

That was tweeted before Freeman's interview. Had nothing to do with what he said.

Right. I figured this was directed at the national media and the talking heads talking smack about that Pats.

 

[Pats1989]

He's correct. They cannot be stopped on O. It will take a Hercules type effort to win this game.

 

[Ring 6]

Let me know how the Patriots are going to defend the RBs receiving out of the backfield, and I'll tell you whether or not the Falcons will be able to do whatever they want on offense.

A mixture of every way there is to defend RBs in the passing game.

 

[Ring 6]

He's correct. They cannot be stopped on O. It will take a Hercules type effort to win this game.

What do you consider "stopped"?
Shut out? Under 17?20?30?

 

[Kontradiction]

I won't be shocked to see a lot of 7 DB play.

I hope the DL is up to the task against the run, then. Given Mack's injury, this could be a surprisingly big game for Branch.

 

[Ring 6]

Do you guys remember before the 2007 Super Bowl? Plaxico Burress predicted that the Patriots would score 17 points. A reporter relayed this to Brady, who responded with, "we're only going to score 17 points? [dismissive laugh] ...okay... is Plax playing defense?"



This is practically the same thing, and I really do not care.

Let's hope it has exactly the same result.

 

[Pats1989]

What do you consider "stopped"?
Shut out? Under 17?20?30?

If we hold them under 40 I will consider that "Stopped". We need a pick six, special teams TD too somewhere.

 

[Love The Drake]

Malcolm and Mccourty glued to Julio all game.
I would like to see Spry Bennett that could be the difference in the game.

 

[Love The Drake]

Maybe two weeks will make him the Bennett we saw against the Browns again.
That and how bad he wants a superbowl.
Can we have a formation where Bennett and Floyd are on the same side and just destroy their defenders on a screen to Lewis or White

 

[FourierSeries]

Im curious FS, what their rankings for 3rd down conversions and Red Zone offense vs. Pats 3rd down D, Red Zone D?

They convert on 42% of their 3rd down attempts, which puts them at 11th. The more troubling number for them is their red zone efficiency - they only score a TD on 62% of their red zone visits. That number drops dramatically against the better defenses they've faced. Their situational football on offense vs NE's situational football on defense is a pretty big advantage for NE.

 

[PatsBoy12]

That's why they play the game.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

If we hold them under 40 I will consider that "Stopped". We need a pick six, special teams TD too somewhere.

They will put almost 3x more points than we allow per game (15)? LOL

 

[Ring 6]

If we hold them under 40 I will consider that "Stopped". We need a pick six, special teams TD too somewhere.

Ok. Sorry to bother you from the land of reality.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

Malcolm and Mccourty glued to Julio all game.
I would like to see Spry Bennett that could be the difference in the game.

I would never put Malcolm glued to Julio, he can shut down Gabriel. My plan A would be: Ryan + McCourty on Julio and Rowe x Sanu.

 

[patfanken]

Speaking of media hyperbole, we have some going on right here. Can anyone show me ONE item where a doctor, team official, or even an adam shecter like reporter has come out and said that Mack has a high ankle sprain that might sffect his play.....even one.

Yet some how in the thread its gone from specualtion of a high ankle sprain to gospel.

About the OP, who cares. I've pretty much turned off the media coverage of this game other than here and PFT. The game's going to be played between the lines and pretty much ALL of what happens before it is meaningless and a collossal waste of time.

Trust me. These are two good teams. I think the Pats are slightly better because of the coaching QB, and defense. But even that doesn't matter. The team that can create the most TO's and score the most TDs when the get to the red zone will win. Its just that simple. EVERY one of the Pats apperances in the superbowl under BB have been decided by LESS than a TD. There is no reason to believe that this one will be different.


T

 

[Sam Bam Cunningham]

What do you consider "stopped"?
Shut out? Under 17?20?30?

I think if Pats hold them to under 30, the Pats will win.
Holding to under 30 is a realistic expectation.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I would never put Malcolm glued to Julio, he can shut down Gabriel. My plan A would be: Ryan + McCourty on Julio and Rowe x Sanu.

I don't know that Rowe can cover Sanu 1 v 1.