Pre-Game Thread- Pats @ Vikings-Thanksgiving Game

[italian pat patriot]

Still cracks me up that the Vikings have an official fight song

And honestly i like it too

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Indoor stadium, no wind, no cold, good track field. We in trouble...

The game that shall not be mentioned was also indoors. We need to win the battle up front and we have a shot

 

[upstater1]

The Vikings offense scares me in that they have a lot of weapons, whether that's Jefferson or Thielein, but now they have Hockenson, and TEs always give our D trouble. Add a couple of dynamic backs, and this is a multifaceted varied offense.

Really worried about getting chopped up underneath where our linebackers are limited

 

[long distance]

OL depth desperation hits a new high : McDermott was the most pathetic OL to ever dress for Pats preseason game.
It is only fitting that in this particular OL season he returns..

Hambright and Herron, the cut guys, look like thrown away gems with every new OL move they make..

 

[Ross12]

OL depth desperation hits a new high : McDermott was the most pathetic OL to ever dress for Pats preseason game.
It is only fitting that in this particular OL season he returns..

Hambright and Herron, the cut guys, look like thrown away gems with every new OL move they make..

Oh goodness.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Pats are gonna smack the snot outta these posers.
Cousins will be peeling himself off the turf 5-6 times.
27-13

 

[PScottman]

Really worried about getting chopped up underneath where our linebackers are limited

What games with this years' LB grouping (vs last years) demonstrates a total inability to cover the middle third? Curious as to what's driving this comment from a data standpoint?

Last year I'd completely agree, but when it's man they're usually bringing Tavai and Bentley off was well, with McMillan and Wilson taking those snaps as much better cover guys, and in zone Tavai and Bentley are not giving up play after play - the statistics don't support that conclusion so far this year.

 

[ashley]

 

[TinhWoodhead]

just checked the sched and wtf four straight night games!

 

[crawhammer]

Pats are gonna smack the snot outta these posers.
Cousins will be peeling himself off the turf 5-6 times.
27-13

I could see a big game from the Patriots defense for sure. Maybe a defensive TD to reach 27 points. I can see 20 points max out of the Patriots offense. The Patriots passing offense is on pace to be nearly as bad as the Newton led 2020 team. So that's really bad. The 2022 defense has been better than the 2020 defense which probably accounts for the better record (to this point).

If the Patriots can beat the Vikings then it's really going to set them up for possibly a stronger than anticipated finish. I don't think they're beating Buffalo in week 13 but the Cardinals and Raiders look very beatable at this point. So if they go 3-1 in the next four then they're 9-5 heading into the final three games, which is where they were last season. Is Ja'Marr Chase going to be back by that matchup in Foxboro? If not, that's huge for the Patriots. Miami is beatable in Foxboro in January. That last game @Buffalo may actual have a lot on the line. It's unlikely Buffalo has everything wrapped up (regarding seeding) by then so they should be starting everyone.

 

[upstater1]

What games with this years' LB grouping (vs last years) demonstrates a total inability to cover the middle third? Curious as to what's driving this comment from a data standpoint?

Last year I'd completely agree, but when it's man they're usually bringing Tavai and Bentley off was well, with McMillan and Wilson taking those snaps as much better cover guys, and in zone Tavai and Bentley are not giving up play after play - the statistics don't support that conclusion so far this year.

You're looking at overall production of the defense which has been stellar, but against limited offenses. I've seen both Tavai and Bentley struggle to get deep enough to cover their zone responsibilities, and I've seen them lack speed in getting to the perimeter.

 

[ashley]

Injury report:

 

[Kontradiction]

OL depth desperation hits a new high : McDermott was the most pathetic OL to ever dress for Pats preseason game.
It is only fitting that in this particular OL season he returns..

Hambright and Herron, the cut guys, look like thrown away gems with every new OL move they make..

Yeah, he’s absolute trash. Cannot believe I’m saying this, but I hope Wynn gets well soon.

 

[WinstonSmith]

Yeah, he’s absolute trash. Cannot believe I’m saying this, but I hope Wynn gets well soon.

I like Cannon better than this stiff and even Wynn. I believe that he's eligible to come back for the first Bills game, correct?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

How soon we forget Newhouse

 

[Zuma]

 

[PScottman]

You're looking at overall production of the defense which has been stellar, but against limited offenses. I've seen both Tavai and Bentley struggle to get deep enough to cover their zone responsibilities, and I've seen them lack speed in getting to the perimeter.

If you look at snap counts per game after the Miami and Baltimore games (which I'm guessing you'd count as better than "limited offenses") Tavai's and Bentley's are going down while McMillan's and Wilson's are going up as their respective roles are better defined. I think the coaching staff saw the same thing you did in those early games and adjusted.

Now granted, if the Vikes audible into pass plays every first down and pick on Tavai and Bentley in the passing game...I agree that's a matchup they win, but then the Pats adjust. The bigger question is can the Vikes run on that lighter alignment? Maybe they can.

I'm just not convinced that the (you're correct - I look at it as a unit vice individuals) Patriots team defense is at a disadvantage with the LB corps so weak that it's automatically opening the middle third for exploitation.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I like Cannon better than this stiff and even Wynn. I believe that he's eligible to come back for the first Bills game, correct?

Was just going to ask that, I think he is.

 

[upstater1]

If you look at snap counts per game after the Miami and Baltimore games (which I'm guessing you'd count as better than "limited offenses") Tavai's and Bentley's are going down while McMillan's and Wilson's are going up as their respective roles are better defined. I think the coaching staff saw the same thing you did in those early games and adjusted.

Now granted, if the Vikes audible into pass plays every first down and pick on Tavai and Bentley in the passing game...I agree that's a matchup they win, but then the Pats adjust. The bigger question is can the Vikes run on that lighter alignment? Maybe they can.

I'm just not convinced that the (you're correct - I look at it as a unit vice individuals) Patriots team defense is at a disadvantage with the LB corps so weak that it's automatically opening the middle third for exploitation.

Hopefully they are on top of it. Just nervous given the Buffalo games last year.

And I'm shocked that any teams other than Miami haven't tried to regularly exploit us on the perimeter, with the exception of running QBs like Lamar and Fields.

 

[FCB02062]

Andrews only limited...he looked like his season was over Sunday...