AFC Divisional: We're on to the Chargers (Beat LA!)

[mosslost]

Pats could have a long day. We drew the short straw.

The good news is we will know what kind of team we are if we win.

 

[mosslost]

I think the Chargers are a little overrated. If Baltimore has a better QB LA probably loses

A Patriot team from 2011-2016 would probably beat these guys by 2 scores but the 2018 Patriots don’t give me the same confidence.

I’m still taking Pats 27-20

Game will be close.

 

[TBR]

I didn't like the matchup with the Ravens. I know Jackson is a rookie but I hate how this defense often looks against mobile QBs and his scrambling all day would drive me crazy. Plus Baltimore's kicker is light years beyond the Chargers' kicker, who is more of an unknown.

Rivers is more of a traditional-style QB which should allow the defense to play more comfortably and in spots that they're familiar with. Rivers is a great QB but he can be streaky at times.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

but I wouldn't bet on the Pats if this was on a neutral field.

You mean like if the game was at la

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Gordon came off will a knee injury. Interesting to see if he practices this week with traveling back and forth from West Coast and if there is a flare up or swelling or less than 100%.

 

[fnordcircle]

Us Pats fans have all been through "political reorientation".

Maybe you missed the invite?

IDK man, I'm a homer. But I think it's a toss-up and I'm not holding my breath that we'll be better next year. We're in the tail end of the greatest dynasty in the history of this league, it's ok to think there's a chance we might lose next week.

 

[RobertWeathers]

IDK man, I'm a homer. But I think it's a toss-up and I'm not holding my breath that we'll be better next year. We're in the tail end of the greatest dynasty in the history of this league, it's ok to think there's a chance we might lose next week.

The game will be tight no question.

Blowout ain't happenin

 

[qbno12]

Just for the record, we are undefeated this year when I start the "we are on to the ____" threads.

you better start one every day so we beat them by 35 pts

 

[qbno12]

This will undoubtedly be out toughest divisional round matchup in years. Chargers are a well balanced team and are trending upwards. The only thing that seemed to bother them today seems to be the cold temp. Also, they struggled to control the game in 4th qtr. I know Pats aren't going to let up like the Ravens did. We fight 60 mins. This will be a good game.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

You don't say.

@scout

Since you've given me a genius to show your contempt, let me explain -- you missed my point. I wasn't making an argument (Rivers has never beaten Brady; ergo, he won't be able to in the future), but rather making a hype post as a fan (they haven't beaten us before, and we're not gonna let them do it now! yeah!). I can certainly understand that these two current teams are nothing like the previous teams, and I'm not arguing for historical precedent when none of the details other than Brady and Rivers (and maybe Gates) are the same between the teams.

I'm more than happy to have a discussion about Xs and Os, but I don't think I did anything to merit the dismissal of your original post. It came across a bit imperious.

 

[PatsfanTN]

Philip Rivers throws the ball weird. So there’s that.

 

[PatsfanTN]

Ok, this did make me laugh

 

[DaBruinz]

So, We're facing the Chargers. This is going to be the toughest test for the Patriots.

Chargers Offense:
Phillip Rivers, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler.

They have a strong O-line with Okung and Pouncey as the big names.

This is be a huge test for our D-line to get pressure on Phillips. They'll need to stop Gordon and Ekeler while in the Nickel, imho. There will be a ton of pressure on our DBs. Gilmore, Jackson, Chung, DMac, and Harmon as well as Jones and JMac are going to have to have their best game of the season.

Chargers Defense:
Bosa, Ingram, Mebane (who many not play depending on his daughter), Addae, Heyward, King, Phillips, James. That secondary is no joke.

The Chargers used a similar type of defense that the Browns used to almost beat the Ravens the previous week.

Looking at the team, they seem to like to mix things up as to who comes on the Rush/Blitz. This is supported by the sack numbers where they got sacks from everywhere. DT/DE?OLB/ILB/ and Safety.

The Pats offense is going to have to be laser-focused. The only way they should be putting Burkhead on the field is in the passing game or the rare hand-off to give Michel a break. None of this changing every 4 downs crap we've seen previously. In all honesty, every first down should be a run with Michel. Every one. Let that open up the passing game. Otherwise, the Chargers have the talent to make the Patriots pay, particularly in the secondary. The other thing is to not be afraid to open things up early. Not with a play to Edelman or Gronk. But with something to Dorsett or Patterson.

The key will be special teams. Every kickoff to the Chargers has to be through the end zone. They can't give King ANY sort of return opportunity. On Punts, Allen is going to have to be at his best, either angling them deep and OOB or hanging them up there so that Slater and Co can ensure they're downed deep in the Chargers zone.

 

[DaBruinz]

It will be a tough one. The biggest weakness the Chargers have is their offensive line. We need Flowers to be a monster.

If anyone watched Virgil Green today, it did 2 things imho. It made me so totally appreciate having Dwayne Allen as our #2 TE and it showed where the Pats need to focus their pass rush from.. Green was horrible today and it and led to at least one sack..

 

[DaBruinz]

If I’m the Pats I'm salivating at this matchup.

Please explain..

 

[mosslost]

I didn't like the matchup with the Ravens. I know Jackson is a rookie but I hate how this defense often looks against mobile QBs and his scrambling all day would drive me crazy. Plus Baltimore's kicker is light years beyond the Chargers' kicker, who is more of an unknown.

Rivers is more of a traditional-style QB which should allow the defense to play more comfortably and in spots that they're familiar with. Rivers is a great QB but he can be streaky at times.

Ravens all day would have been better

 

[mosslost]

Please explain..

He is being a homer

 

[mosslost]

So, We're facing the Chargers. This is going to be the toughest test for the Patriots.

Chargers Offense:
Phillip Rivers, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler.

They have a strong O-line with Okung and Pouncey as the big names.

This is be a huge test for our D-line to get pressure on Phillips. They'll need to stop Gordon and Ekeler while in the Nickel, imho. There will be a ton of pressure on our DBs. Gilmore, Jackson, Chung, DMac, and Harmon as well as Jones and JMac are going to have to have their best game of the season.

Chargers Defense:
Bosa, Ingram, Mebane (who many not play depending on his daughter), Addae, Heyward, King, Phillips, James. That secondary is no joke.

The Chargers used a similar type of defense that the Browns used to almost beat the Ravens the previous week.

Looking at the team, they seem to like to mix things up as to who comes on the Rush/Blitz. This is supported by the sack numbers where they got sacks from everywhere. DT/DE?OLB/ILB/ and Safety.

The Pats offense is going to have to be laser-focused. The only way they should be putting Burkhead on the field is in the passing game or the rare hand-off to give Michel a break. None of this changing every 4 downs crap we've seen previously. In all honesty, every first down should be a run with Michel. Every one. Let that open up the passing game. Otherwise, the Chargers have the talent to make the Patriots pay, particularly in the secondary. The other thing is to not be afraid to open things up early. Not with a play to Edelman or Gronk. But with something to Dorsett or Patterson.

The key will be special teams. Every kickoff to the Chargers has to be through the end zone. They can't give King ANY sort of return opportunity. On Punts, Allen is going to have to be at his best, either angling them deep and OOB or hanging them up there so that Slater and Co can ensure they're downed deep in the Chargers zone.

You know Belichick is going to pop the kick offs just short of end zone

 

[DaBruinz]

IF Brady don't have time to step up it will be a long day for the 2018 Pats. Because of Bosa and Melvin Ingram the Chargers don't have to Blitz to get there. This is kind of D that could give a QB like Brady trouble. We are Home which is a plus but this game will be no slam dunk for our Pats. McDaniels will have to call the Game of his career with a not so Talented Pats O.

You had me agreeing right up until your last quip. The silly claim that the Patriots O isn't talented..

 

[DaBruinz]

You know Belichick is going to pop the kick offs just short of end zone

Not necessarily. When you are kicking to an ALL-PRO returner in King, he tends to have them go through the endzone.