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

[Keyser Söze]

I feel like Burkhead’s going to be the x factor in this one...

Yup he’ll fumble the ball away at a critical time and cost us the game...

 

[SHOWTIME15]

"What I got going forward is what I'm going to give [on Sunday]..."

-Rob Gronkowski at today's presser

Doesn't sound too confident about his ability to make a significant contribution...

 

[Patjew]

Apologies. Was kidding around a little. To many negative posters running around peeing in everyone's Cheerios my bad if I lumped you in.

This was like watching my parents fight. Just get along fellas.

 

[Patjew]

Edelman is going to have a monster game.

 

[SVN]

One Mistake Ends a Super Bowl Run! New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 2006 AFC Divisional Round

 

[Dingleberry]

I am just happy to be facing an immobile QB! I know Rivers is more dangerous than most of them, but watching a Trubisky type scramble for 1st downs really mats my ass hair.

 

[Wheelman]

I don't think they would sit Crossen. The last two games the 2 starting corners has been Gilmore and Jackson. But when they're in 3 or 4 corners I've seen Crossen as the 3rd DB, and 4th DB. I've seen JJ as the 3rd DB, and 4th DB. I've seen JMac as the 3rd DB but against the Bills he barely played.

I don't know what to make of it. Must be different packages but they've been mixing in Crossen more in the past 2 games. If I remember correctly in the rats game in week 17 Crossen played ahead of JJ. But when DMac went down we stayed with only 2 safeties on the field. So at that point everyone was getting playing time.

In garbage time, against the rats week 17, when they went 2 deep safeties they put JMac along Harmon for a snap, and JJ along Harmon for a snap(or two).

 

[WHPats]

I feel I'm in a pretty small minority picking the Patriots to win and play well against this Chargers team. Everywhere I look it seems to be "be aware of (insert Chargers superstar here)." But when talking about the Patriots, all the talk seems negative "team isn't good anymore," "down year for Brady and Gronk," "WRs are ineffective and can't get open" "defense can't stop the run and gets gashed too often" etc etc etc. It's like we were magically handed 11 wins and everyone who played us in Foxborough just didn't try and said "here, you guys have the game." Am I missing something? I know the Chargers are a good team and this will be a tough test, it should be, it's the playoffs! They're certainly capable of coming into Gillette and winning. Every team in the playoffs deserves to be there. But why all the negativity about New England? Are people just sick and tired of TB12 and BB and co. and it's clouding judgment? We have a good football team believe it or not! All I keep hearing about is the Chargers unbelievable, amazing, phenomenal, fantastic road record. Okay great, but weren't we 8-0 at home and didn't we outscore our opponents 263 to 133?! That last statistic is particularly gaudy. We averaged slightly less than 33 points per game at home and we're being treated by many as an afterthought? I just don't get it. This is a good defense, but we played the Bears defense in Chicago (#3 in total defense, higher than the Chargers, and #1 in rushing defense) and hung 38 points on them! Why isn't this being mentioned?? In fact, the Bears are higher than the Chargers in most major defensive statistical categories and we did all that damage without Sony Michel for most of the game. Patriots are like Rodney Dangerfield this year, don't get any respect!!!

 

[supafly]

watching a Trubisky type scramble for 1st downs really mats my ass hair.

Username checks out.

 

[supafly]

I feel I'm in a pretty small minority picking the Patriots to win and play well against this Chargers team. Everywhere I look it seems to be "be aware of (insert Chargers superstar here)." But when talking about the Patriots, all the talk seems negative "team isn't good anymore," "down year for Brady and Gronk," "WRs are ineffective and can't get open" "defense can't stop the run and gets gashed too often" etc etc etc. It's like we were magically handed 11 wins and everyone who played us in Foxborough just didn't try and said "here, you guys have the game." Am I missing something? I know the Chargers are a good team and this will be a tough test, it should be, it's the playoffs! They're certainly capable of coming into Gillette and winning. Every team in the playoffs deserves to be there. But why all the negativity about New England? Are people just sick and tired of TB12 and BB and co. and it's clouding judgment? We have a good football team believe it or not! All I keep hearing about is the Chargers unbelievable, amazing, phenomenal, fantastic road record. Okay great, but weren't we 8-0 at home and didn't we outscore our opponents 263 to 133?! That last statistic is particularly gaudy. We averaged slightly less than 33 points per game at home and we're being treated by many as an afterthought? I just don't get it. This is a good defense, but we played the Bears defense in Chicago (#3 in total defense, higher than the Chargers, and #1 in rushing defense) and hung 38 points on them! Why isn't this being mentioned?? In fact, the Bears are higher than the Chargers in most major defensive statistical categories and we did all that damage without Sony Michel for most of the game. Patriots are like Rodney Dangerfield this year, don't get any respect!!!

I’m guessing a lot of the concern stems around the idea that Josh Gordon is gone and that Gronk hasn’t been the same for awhile. They’ll need to get creative and have guys like Dorsett rise to the challenge. It’s a different group of weapons than the Bears game. As has been mentioned, it’d be a great week to get the RBs going, and hopefully the defense rises to the occasion. No one should be overlooking our team.

 

[Arialgg]

Some of our fairer weather posters conveniently forget we beat these guys last year. Without Edelman.

True... but we had Amendola & Cooks.

 

[supafly]

True... but we had Amendola & Cooks.

And Lewis and Gronk (actual Gronk).

Different year, different team. Hopefully, same result.

 

[venecol]

Why Ray Lewis Believes Patriots Will Fall To Chargers In Playoff Tilt

You sprinkle a lot of negativity in your posts, wgaf what the killer believes? Are you really a Pat's fan?

 

[WHPats]

I apologize for not knowing this football term, but I hear it thrown around quite a bit and I don't know exactly what it entails. Can someone please explain what bracket coverage is?

 

[jimnance]

It's just double coverage. Think of what brackets are. Can be vertical or horizontal. Gronk had seen a ton of it over his career.

 

[supafly]

It's just double coverage. Think of what brackets are. Can be vertical or horizontal. Gronk had seen a ton of it over his career.

Double coverage, but not necessarily in the traditional sense that most people think of when they hear the term. In other words, not a CB with safety help. In his case, he may be covered by a LB with other help in the zone. That could be from a CB or a S.

As other posters have mentioned, the use of RBs can help a lot and LA struggles in that regard.

 

[jimnance]

Double coverage, but not necessarily in the traditional sense that most people think of when they hear the term. In other words, not a CB with safety help. In his case, he may be covered by a LB with other help in the zone. That could be from a CB or a S.

As other posters have mentioned, the use of RBs can help a lot and LA struggles in that regard.

I think Pats defensively will mix it up, maybe start with Gilmore on Allen, JC on Williams. If JC struggles, then maybe put Gilmore on Williams and bracket Allen.
I think the Chargers will start vs. Gronk straight up, testing how gimpy he is. If he goes nuts on em them he'll get bracketed.
I agree our rbs can have a big day running and catching. That's the weak spot on LA.

 

[Tony2046]

Without a dominant rushing performance, the key to our offensive attack is going to be whether or not those guys (CP, Dorsett) can produce on an effective level. Edelman will probably get his usual 70-80 yards, but Gronk may continue to be limited. Let’s hope not.

It would be great to see them run the ball down their throats and throw to the RBs like White and Burkhead. That would go a long way.

Hoping to see the up tempo offense early and often. Wear that pass rush down, get their front seven huffing and puffing that cold frigid air and then stab them in the heart.

 

[jimnance]

Hoping to see the up tempo offense early and often. Wear that pass rush down, get their front seven huffing and puffing that cold frigid air and then stab them in the heart.

Yeah, I like the uptempo but with balance- close to 50/50 run/pass.
Then TB destroys them with playaction.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Yup he’ll fumble the ball away at a critical time and cost us the game...

I have a feeling they will force him on the field. He played fine last week, but the week prior was brutal.

Don’t know why the Pats have such a hard on for him as he just doesn’t scare anyone on D.