Official Pre- Game Thread- Bucs @ Pats

[Rob0729]

Honestly, even with Gronk, I think their plan will be to run on us as I can't see Bill bringing the blitz vs Brady and then Brady will play action to the WRs.

First, I seriously doubt Belichick brings the blitz especially after 20 years of watching Brady pick apart teams that blitz a lot against him. You don't beat Brady by blitzing him except in key situations. You blitz him and he has favorable match ups for his receivers and if you do not get to him, he will pick you apart. I doubt Belichick will have more than a half dozen or so blitzes tomorrow night. And that could be over estimating it.

Second, I still don't know how well the Bucs can even run the ball. They have been awful this year rushing for about 56 YPG and 3.5 YPC. Belichick will likely give up the run to take the ball out of Brady's hands. So he probably coach the players this week not to bite on the play action.

Third, I fully expect Belichick's strategy will be to take away Godwin or possibly Evans and force Brady to throw to his second and third reads. Granted Brady has a lot of players he can throw to. So he can potentially easily overcome the loss of his favorite target. But as I think someone already said, they will also try to take away his short and intermediate routes and force him to throw deep while trying to get pressure up the middle with four man rush. All this done with some disguised coverages and rushes obviously. And I think they would be willing to do that by giving up running yards. I think if the Bucs rush for a lot yards (120 plus yards) that aren't clock killing yards at the end of the game, I think the Pats have a realistic chance of winning.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Ya but if the entire secondary is out for the Bucs and their second best pass rusher? Pair that with an aggressive DC? I almost want to put money on this now in case Davis is out. The replacements are hot garbage and SHerman? No way he's in shape.

We knew all week that the entire secondary was going to be out for Tampa, did we not? Really, the only major changes to the lineup were JPP and Gronk being out...

 

[Patsgofor4]

Does that mean Jackson and Van Noy are out?

Bryant may be an extra body at CB/S, given the probable WR heavy sets for TB. I am praying that Jackson’s knee won’t keep him out. It may mean that Bentley will be inactive, though.

 

[Tottie]

We knew all week that the entire secondary was going to be out for Tampa, did we not? Really, the only major changes to the lineup were JPP and Gronk being out...

No we didn't and it's still not sure they are. Davis was just added on the report. I'm saying if he doesn't go we need to put points. If he does play they are still hurt but at least they have their best CB on the field who is ranked #1 in zone coverage by PFF I believe. It's a big difference.

 

[slash83]

Bryant may be an extra body at CB/S, given the probable WR heavy sets for TB. I am praying that Jackson’s knee won’t keep him out. It may mean that Bentley will be inactive, though.

JC Jackson is hurt?

 

[Ring 6]

Does that mean Jackson and Van Noy are out?

Tavani was active last week, I think.

 

[Tony2046]

Keep covid/politics off this thread, dipwad...

That wasn't political dypshyt. That was judging your "feelings" and demonstrating how they suck.

 

[XLIX]

N'Keal Harry activated. We should put him on defense and have him cover Mike Evans. That way Brady will never throw the ball in that direction.

 

[amfootball]

First, I seriously doubt Belichick brings the blitz especially after 20 years of watching Brady pick apart teams that blitz a lot against him. You don't beat Brady by blitzing him except in key situations. You blitz him and he has favorable match ups for his receivers and if you do not get to him, he will pick you apart. I doubt Belichick will have more than a half dozen or so blitzes tomorrow night. And that could be over estimating it.

Second, I still don't know how well the Bucs can even run the ball. They have been awful this year rushing for about 56 YPG and 3.5 YPC. Belichick will likely give up the run to take the ball out of Brady's hands. So he probably coach the players this week not to bite on the play action.

Third, I fully expect Belichick's strategy will be to take away Godwin or possibly Evans and force Brady to throw to his second and third reads. Granted Brady has a lot of players he can throw to. So he can potentially easily overcome the loss of his favorite target. But as I think someone already said, they will also try to take away his short and intermediate routes and force him to throw deep while trying to get pressure up the middle with four man rush. All this done with some disguised coverages and rushes obviously. And I think they would be willing to do that by giving up running yards. I think if the Bucs rush for a lot yards (120 plus yards) that aren't clock killing yards at the end of the game, I think the Pats have a realistic chance of winning.

Tampa's Online is really good. I can't see us generating pressure with a 4 man front. I really don't know how we take away all those things in the pass game especially without Gilmore. Jackson on a bad knee vs Evans gives me nightmares. Whose on Godwin? Mills? Frightening. And then who are we using on AB? Jones? I actually like that match up I think out of the 3.
I am most interested to see if Brady will take the run. You know he wants to beat us bad so I have to think he looks to air it out.

 

[PittPatriot]

I wish Gronk had waited until this week to break his ribs.
Screw ‘em.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

No we didn't and it's still not sure they are. Davis was just added on the report. I'm saying if he doesn't go we need to put points. If he does play they are still hurt but at least they have their best CB on the field who is ranked #1 in zone coverage by PFF I believe. It's a big difference.

It doesn't matter. The Bucs pass rush and front 7 should be able to handle a rookie QB who struggled last week. Up and down their respective lineups, the Bucs even without their injured players are better. If you had the chance, you would trade the Pats roster for tomorrow's game for the Bucs'.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

That wasn't political dypshyt. That was judging your "feelings" and demonstrating how they suck.

You have no new material so you keep on mentioning something I said from over a year ago.

 

[venecol]

It doesn't matter. The Bucs pass rush and front 7 should be able to handle a rookie QB who struggled last week. Up and down their respective lineups, the Bucs even without their injured players are better. If you had the chance, you would trade the Pats roster for tomorrow's game for the Bucs'.

That's just not true. The Pats have a better IOL, better DE, better RBs, and way better Safeties.

Bucs have lost their #5 ranked TE and top scorer, their 3rd down RB, their 2nd best DE, and their #2 & #3 CB. Now they could also be w/o their #1 CB?

This now is a must win for the Pats. This is their chance to show who they are as a team being led by the GOAT Coach..

 

[SHOWTIME15]

That's just not true. The Pats have a better IOL, better DE, better RBs, and way better Safeties.

Bucs have lost their #5 ranked TE and top scorer, their 3rd down RB, their 2nd best DE, and their #2 & #3 CB. Now they could also be w/o their #1 CB?

This now is a must win for the Pats. This is their chance to show who they are as a team being led by the GOAT Coach..

Would anyone really be surprised if the Pats lose tomorrow? Didn't think so...on the other hand, if the Pats win, everyone will be surprised.

 

[venecol]

Is Trent Brown still listed as Questionable?

 

[Tottie]

Would anyone really be surprised if the Pats lose tomorrow? Didn't think so...on the other hand, if the Pats win, everyone will be surprised.

Are you even a real person? You are all over the place. What does it matter what people who have no idea who the players are even think? If Brown plays and if Davis is out I would absolutely not be surprised if NE won. In some arguments with you coaching is most important and defense carries the team but I guess in this case a team missing POSSIBLY their entire starting CB group means nothing. A DC that doesn't adjust means nothing yet you credit coaching here for 50% of the dynasty. Yes we are underdogs but they aren't coming in here and putting up 50 and IF they are missing half their defensive starters no one will be shocked if it turns into a shootout. One day you praise Mac and the next you act like he can't complete a pass against a defense with no CBs.

 

[reflexblue]

Any word on Brown?

Hes 'day to day'

 

[reflexblue]

Saint NKeal Will come from the Impossible Realm (IR) to save us !

Happy. Joy. Victory.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Mack Herron]

Is Trent Brown still listed as Questionable?

As is Wynn

Patriots​

• OT Trent Brown (calf)
• OT Isaiah Wynn (knee)
• LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (shoulder)
• LB Josh Uche (back)
• LB Kyle Van Noy (groin)
• CB J.C. Jackson (knee)
• S Kyle Dugger (hamstring)
• K Nick Folk (left knee)

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Gronk is a big loss for Tampa. If Belichick floods the field with defensive backs, it means one less excellent blocker and short yardage/YAC threat. It weakens their ability to disguise plays/playaction, and Gronk took their red zone offense from being very good to elite. On the other hand, at least 20 teams would be glad to have Brate and Howard as their tight ends. So, very big loss, though it’s not like going to zero.

Bernard is the other guy who was important for the short/intermediate passing game, and he’s out.