NFL GAME DAY DISCUSSION Week 15 pre-game thread: Patriots vs Colts

[catent]

Pretty much every lead up to recent games has sounded the same:

"This will finally be the first true test for this team, we'll see how they handle it ..."

And that refrain gets repeated, week-after-week, with each passing week seeing a convincing Patriots victory.

They might lose to the Colts because sometimes good teams don't play well, and sometimes the other team particularly plays well, and sometimes fluky things happen over the course of an NFL game ... but the Patriots, win or lose, have the better football team in a holistic sense (roster and coaching).

This won't be some "prove it", identity game; we already know the Patriots are a very good football team; they're leading the AFC with over 75% of the regular season played, for crying out loud! This week will be about the team continuing to play football at a high level and hopefully beating a rival in the process.

Regardless of the outcome of this game, I don't see my feelings about this team changing drastically. They're a good football team that (barring a complete collapse over the next few weeks) will be competing in playoff football come January.

 

[venecol]

Thanks for jinxing us dude. Lol

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Going to be a Big Nickel game for us - McCourty, Dugger and Phillips. And maybe more Collins than we've seen so far. So they may have a balanced offense, but we can potentially match that. Interesting which of Davis or Godchaux we will see on the nose. Last week it was Godchaux, but that was against a mediocre center.

 

[catent]

Thanks for jinxing us dude. Lol

If things go off the rails, I'll take full blame.

 

[PScottman]

Interesting which of Davis or Godchaux we will see on the nose. Last week it was Godchaux, but that was against a mediocre center.

It will continue to be both to keep the DL fresh through the course of the game - even Eukele got some snaps. I assume you mean which will get the majority of snaps? I agree that will continue to be Godchaux as it has been through the majority of the season.

 

[ashley]

Good morning Pat Fans, getting everyone ready for a Thursday:

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

We fans, rightfully, are on a need to know basis on these things, but, from a human, not football perspective, should there be some concern for JJ Taylor’s health given that he’s now been on the Covid list since 11/29? Hope the young man is okay.

im not sure how it works, but does keeping him on the covid reserve open up an extra roster spot until we need to bring him back? That could be a potential reason for keeping him.. If not, definitely hope hes ok!

 

[SlowGettingUp]

It will continue to be both to keep the DL fresh through the course of the game - even Eukele got some snaps. I assume you mean which will get the majority of snaps? I agree that will continue to be Godchaux as it has been through the majority of the season.

There have been a bunch of snaps with Davis at NT and Godchaux at DE (and Guy as the other DE). That's a lineup we could easily see - more beef up front.

 

[Nunchucks]

Going to be a Big Nickel game for us - McCourty, Dugger and Phillips. And maybe more Collins than we've seen so far. So they may have a balanced offense, but we can potentially match that. Interesting which of Davis or Godchaux we will see on the nose. Last week it was Godchaux, but that was against a mediocre center.

I am not so sure that is true. I expect more Dugger than Philips.

 

[notex]

Bye week came at a pretty opportune time IMO... No major injuries but gave use a break before another tough stretch (IND/BUF) and allowed time for guys like Uche, Harris, Phillips, Duggar to get back on the field. By no means were we "banged up" but the illness/injury bug brought down our depth a little bit.

I haven't watched Indy a ton. Their run game is definitely formidable. They have a solid line and RBs. Hoping our excellent secondary can keep their passing game in check because my guess is we will sell out against the run.

 

[Rob0729]

Great news about Bledsoe. They must like him.

McGrone's ACL might not be 100%. McGrone does not have to go through waivers? I would imagine there are lots more moves coming.

If McGrone isn't activated, his IR status (actually NFI status) just becomes season ending. He doesn't get waived.

 

[Ring 6]

Going to be a Big Nickel game for us - McCourty, Dugger and Phillips. And maybe more Collins than we've seen so far. So they may have a balanced offense, but we can potentially match that. Interesting which of Davis or Godchaux we will see on the nose. Last week it was Godchaux, but that was against a mediocre center.

Every game is big nickel for us, it’s our base defense.

 

[Ring 6]

I am not so sure that is true. I expect more Dugger than Philips.

They both play over 80% of the snaps and play the same amount. All season long.

 

[Nunchucks]

They both play over 80% of the snaps and play the same amount. All season long.

It's about playing more base than nickel

 

[sambam94]

I hope Harris can play, but never good when a player grabs his hammy and limps out of bounds.

 

[Ring 6]

It's about playing more base than nickel

Nickel is our base

 

[Wax Frog]

It's about playing more base than nickel

 

[jdlboot14]

A big part of this game will be who can shake off any rust and be most physical right off the bat.
If the Pats D needs to feel their way back in, we could get behind real quick with Taylors running.
But, if our O is sharp and we score once or twice in the first quarter while they're D is warming up - it will tip the scale for us.
I think ball control, and well-balanced play calls is most important here, to sustain long drives and put the pressure on the baby horses.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

There have been a bunch of snaps with Davis at NT and Godchaux at DE (and Guy as the other DE). That's a lineup we could easily see - more beef up front.

Belichick this morning:

 

[ashley]

Some practice notes: