Do you trust Butler to take on Antonio Brown? And if not, what adjustments do you make in coverage?

This season, Butler has usually covered the #2 receiver, while the #1 receiver gets doubled by Ryan with safety help. But not so with Brown.



In his last two games, Butler has done a mixed job covering Brown solo. According to Doug Kyed's article, Brown is difficult to cover because he’s quick off the line, which makes him difficult to jam, and he has an elite combination of speed and agility to evade defenders. The receiver caught the second-most passes (106) and scored in the second-most touchdowns (12) for a receiver in the NFL this season while tallying the fifth-most yards (1,284) in the league.

Why Patriots Can’t Neutralize Antonio Brown Like Other Top Receivers

Here’s how Steelers quarterbacks have fared targeting Brown over the last two seasons:


Butler has the most trouble as passes get deeper and help dissipates. Brown has beat Butler for passes of 51, 37, 33 and 25 yards over the last two years. He also has an 11-yard touchdown over Butler, while the Butler has an interception on a deep target into the end zone.

Kyed concludes that rather than putting Butler on Brown 1-on-1, the Patriots’ best option is to lock him on double coverage -- assigning two defenders on him on nearly ever play. The only problem with doing that, is that you also have to worry about Le’Veon Bell.

If Butler has to press on Brown in solo coverage, then it will undoubtedly be his biggest test yet in his career.

I think the game plan will be different this time. Brown is the only WR or TE they have that is a threat, unless you count Bell. I think they double Brown, Ryan and Safety help. Then put Butler on someone else. Of course, Butler will get his fair share of Brown but not exclusively. I think Butler can shutdown everyone else so it would be a waste to have him with safety help on Brown. The rest of the D will be containing Bell. Don't expect to see many blitzes in this game. Probably more zone than man to man just to eliminate big plays. I think Ben isn't sharp so he'll make the odd mistake. It would be funny if BB does a LeBeau and use some zone blitzes.

Butler got all pro nominations for a reason. I have faith in him completely as one of the most underrated corners in the game. Although i don't know why the hell he is if you'd watched the SB a few years ago

Brown caught 7 for 106 on 11 targets in week 7 but no TD's. Bell also had no TD's. Only TD was to Hayward-Bey. Butler had Brown alot that game. He has generally done well against him. Give them the yards between the 20's and force them to kick FG's while we score TD's.

Also the same with guys like Julio Jones and AJ Green you can't really stop them per say, however you can limit Brown as much as you can and make Ben go elsewhere and no one can game plan better that way than BB

I'm not sure I'd trust any CB in the league against Brown. He's too good.

I'd put Rowe on Brown with safety help.

Leave Butler and Ryan to their other WRs, who don't seem to be on the same page as Roethlisberger at times, and hope that can be taken advantage of in the form of interceptions.

Butler would take that ball away from Brown like he did with that box of pizza

Bradyking12 said:

Butler would take that ball away from Brown like he did with that box of pizza

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I was waiting for the pizza reference...

Single coverage on Brown? Maybe a little in the first half but when the game gets tight no way I'm letting that guy beat me. I'd put Butler on the second wr and go with the double on Brown.

Or

Anyone want to do an Andy Reid and put a de/lb on Brown?

Unless 2010 Revis walks through the door there's no way I'm not doubling Brown.

I don't think any CB can cover Brown with no help for a full game

patsfan-1982 said:

I don't think any CB can cover Brown with no help for a full game

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And there's no reason for one to given the Steelers have 2 offensive weapons.

I would put Logan and shadow McCourty over the top on Brown. I would mix it up too maybe sometimes put Malcolm on Brown if they are gonna send the heat.

I think the Pats are definitely going to struggle getting pressure on Big Ben, so I would try to keep ben in the pocket and make someone else beat you other than Bell and Brown.

TBR said:

I'd put Rowe on Brown with safety help.

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You may be right, but my concern would be Brown's ability to burn past a more physical CB like Rowe.

I'd either match him up with Butler again or use the Ryan/McCourty double team.

moejr said:

Brown caught 7 for 106 on 11 targets in week 7 but no TD's. Bell also had no TD's. Only TD was to Hayward-Bey. Butler had Brown alot that game. He has generally done well against him. Give them the yards between the 20's and force them to kick FG's while we score TD's.

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Don't give them anything but make no big plays the priority.

Let him stick Brown one on one on shorter throws. On intermediate and deep passes, shade a safety over to his side. I trust Rowe and Ryan to handle Rogers/DHB.

supafly said:

You may be right, but my concern would be Brown's ability to burn past a more physical CB like Rowe.

I'd either match him up with Butler again or use the Ryan/McCourty double team.

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Yes, hence the safety help.

I am thinking that they put Ryan on Brown with help over the top and leave Butler 1-on-1 with the number 2 receiver. That should allow the Patriots to bring Chung down into the box to help contain Bell.

"Antonio Brown is due for a big game against the Patriots, isn't that right Mike?"

I like the idea of doubling him with Ryan/Butler and trying to get physical with him at the line of scrimmage (adapt is Brown is too elusive at the line)

I basically agree with @nabwong (above), but I think we have to resign ourselves that Brown and Bell are each going to get their share of yards and probably a couple of TD's. I also think we have to assume that this is a game where the Pats are going to have to put up 24--31 points and force a turnover or two to win with zero turnovers on their side of the ball.