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

[supafly]

if the other team puts 7 DBs on the field, and you either choose not to run, or attempt and are unable

you deserve to lose

Didn’t the Jets do something similar in the 2010 divisional upset? I don’t think that it was 7 DBs, but I remember a lot of dime, daring us to run.

 

[TommyD4207]

Does Gilmore still cover Keenan Allen in the slot? Allen plays 46% of snaps in the slot, and I usually see Gilmore on the outside and seldom in the slot. Maybe that changes for this game, but they may stick to what they've been doing with Gilmore and keep him outside. Could that mean Gilmore on Williams and JMac on Allen? Would not be surprised if that's the case.

I would be shocked if Gilmore doesn't follow Allen on almost every snap.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

The Ravens tried that. Failed miserably. 76 yards with 3 first downs on the ground until Baltimore abandoned the run with 9 minutes left.

New England's personnel is much different than the Ravens.

And your coaches are much smarter than the Ravens as well.

if the other team puts 7 DBs on the field, and you either choose not to run, or attempt and are unable

you deserve to lose

I don’t think it’s as simple as just using seven DBs. It’s also being able to deploy several of them in a total sellout mode to attack the ball quickly at the snap of the ball. I think it’s obvious that much an unconventional defense has direct ties to Lamar Jackson (a) being unable to comprehend what’s happening on defense, and (b) being horribly inaccurate and unable to make you pay for being overly aggressive.

It’s not the coaching so much as the quarterbacks here. I’m sure the Ravens knew how to beat it, provided they had a competent quarterback, but they didn’t.

It doesn’t matter much anyway. Chargers have a really good defense and the Patriots will need to play a great offensive game to win. Whatever their personnel, it will be logical against the Patriots offense, and the Chargers have talent and depth. I just don’t think they’ll have anything like the same game plan against Brady as they did against Jackson for obvious reasons.

I think the Patriots will need to score over 20 to win. I’m not expecting a shootout.

 

[supafly]

The Ravens tried that. Failed miserably. 76 yards with 3 first downs on the ground until Baltimore abandoned the run with 9 minutes left.

You had one RB with a total of 8 carries, and another with 6. I’m not sure that they dedicated enough “real” attempts (not including Jackson) at breaking down a 4 man front.

I mean, you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong, but I think the bigger picture idea would be “what if” a team would try and pound the rock on a consistent basis against a lighter box? At any rate, none of this matters because LA won’t be deploying the same scheme. They may continue to run some dime, though. I think they feel that they have physical enough DBs to allow them to get away with that. We’ll see if NE can take advantage or not. If LA gets off to an early jump, they may have a much better shot of pulling off that type of gameplan.

 

[supafly]

I would be shocked if Gilmore doesn't follow Allen on almost every snap.

I’m not as sure, with Williams being such a physical weapon. Either way, in BB we trust, and adjustments can be made. My concern would be with the other DBs. I think LA can exploit some of those matchups.

 

[Sicilian]

Didn’t the Jets do something similar in the 2010 divisional upset? I don’t think that it was 7 DBs, but I remember a lot of dime, daring us to run.

I don’t remember exactly, but I don’t think it was about how many DBs, but more how many dropped into coverage. I recall they pretty much rushed 3 and dropped 8 into coverage on most plays. It was a mix of DBs and LBs, but it absolutely flooded the middle of the field and the Pats couldn’t adjust in time.

 

[supafly]

I don’t remember exactly, but I don’t think it was about how many DBs, but more how many dropped into coverage. I recall they pretty much rushed 3 and dropped 8 into coverage on most plays. It was a mix of DBs and LBs, but it absolutely flooded the middle of the field and the Pats couldn’t adjust in time.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see LA do something similar. That still seems to be a recipe to beating NE, especially if your 3-4 rushers are worth a damn and the Patriots are limited in their receiving options. Seems like a pretty clear cut gameplan to me, especially if they go up early. Not sure if we could counter with a strong enough commitment to the run, let alone sustained success.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[Uptown]

 

[RobertWeathers]

I wouldn’t be shocked to see LA do something similar. That still seems to be a recipe to beating NE, especially if your 3-4 rushers are worth a damn and the Patriots are limited in their receiving options. Seems like a pretty clear cut gameplan to me, especially if they go up early. Not sure if we could counter with a strong enough commitment to the run, let alone sustained success.

The LAC don't have the talent at LB that Jets team did. Come to think of it, LAC doesn't have any LBs.

You need LBs to stop a legit running game.

The 2010 Pats didn't have one.

The 2018 Pats does

 

[Triumph]

Next team up: The Patsies (Game week discussion) - The Powder Blues

 

[Triumph]

What is the over/under how many times Rivers points downfield at his WR upset because he supposedly went the wrong way after an incompletion?

Its never Rivers fault.

 

[Kontradiction]

I wouldn’t be shocked to see LA do something similar. That still seems to be a recipe to beating NE, especially if your 3-4 rushers are worth a damn and the Patriots are limited in their receiving options. Seems like a pretty clear cut gameplan to me, especially if they go up early. Not sure if we could counter with a strong enough commitment to the run, let alone sustained success.

It won't matter if they can't generate pressure with their down 3-4. If they CAN do that and we can't get enough success to get them out of the dime, I'm not sure where the points are going to come from.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Merroidman chimes in...

Why Shawne Merriman Believes Chargers Are ‘A Lock’ To Beat Patriots

 

[SHOWTIME15]

It won't matter if they can't generate pressure with their down 3-4. If they CAN do that and we can't get enough success to get them out of the dime, I'm not sure where the points are going to come from.

I suspect Gus Bradley will just try to flood the middle of the field with 5-6 DBs and hope their front 4 guys can generate enough pressure...

 

[Kontradiction]

I suspect Gus Bradley will just try to flood the middle of the field with 5-6 DBs and hope their front 4 guys can generate enough pressure...

A lot of man under is what I would suspect. Basically chokes off everything underneath. I would suspect/hope that the Patriots respond to this with more snaps for Dorsett and will try to test them deep to loosen things up.

 

[203Pat]

Merroidman chimes in...

Why Shawne Merriman Believes Chargers Are ‘A Lock’ To Beat Patriots

Well we might as just forfeit now.

 

[gitgronked82]

A lot of man under is what I would suspect. Basically chokes off everything underneath. I would suspect/hope that the Patriots respond to this with more snaps for Dorsett and will try to test them deep to loosen things up.

Wouldn’t typical man under have 2 high safeties? 2 man under...?
I see how that could take away some quick stuff as there aren’t holes underneath and the man defenders can jump short routes with help over the top. But wouldn’t pick plays/RB choices be open underneath if they were in that? And if there were 2 safeties over the top, wouldn’t that make it tough to send PD deep (unless maybe on a post with MOFO)?

(Legit questions, not picking a fight)

 

[Hyped]

Actually, they'd allow the snow plow to clear the yard lines all the way across the field, but that's about it. They wouldn't allow him to drive around the way he did. Pretty sure they've made rules regarding what the field crew can and can't do since then..

For sure...and I believe Shula was on the competition committee in the 80's-90's....he would have made sure....LOL.