Patriots Pregame Thread 2025 Raiders @ Patriots - Early thoughts

[Triumph]

Maybe you two could get a room with some whips and chains or dueling pistols and a field in NJ. Whatever helps you move on.

He is a Clown who cant stop lying.

 

[Urgent]

Interesting to see who covers him. I've seen suggestions of Austin and Mapu.

The other concern is whether their faster, lighter DEs/DTs and faster, lighter LBs can stop the run. All good if you can penetrate into the backfield, but that's not always going to happen.

Agree.

There will always be injuries. But with Gonzo, you have the options of Davis or Austin, longer corners, to cover Bowers. Without Gonzo, you need Davis and Austin as the starting boundary corners. You can't put Marcus Jones on him - he's giving up like a foot and 100 pounds. Mapu is a depth LB because he doesn't cover well enough to play S in this defense.

And the faster/lighter penetrating defense - we saw the defense susceptible to screens in preseason. With Jeanty and Bowers you have a couple terrific options for floating beyond the line of scrimmage as the defense attacks and finding wide open spaces. The 'read-and-react' two-gap defense was pretty good at managing the screens and draws. A quick penetrating defense sets itself up for challenges.
They may need to run the 2001 Super Bowl tape and play Spillane, Ellis, or Mapu on Jeanty consistently, just following and hitting him, as the Patriots did with Faulk. Can they rely on Woodson or Hawkins to contain Bowers?

 

[denverpatsfan]

Chip Kelly is the OC for the Raiders?
Dude is experienced and has a quality QB now.
This won't necessarily be a Pete Carroll offense then.
Our D better be ready.

 

[mgteich]

No Gonzo is such a bummer of a way to start the Vrabel era. Far from ideal as they try to right the ship after consecutive 4-13 seasons.

We start the season with among the most healthy rosters in the NFL.

Gonzo has a hammy and may be out for a couple of weeks. Backup Tavai is out for a few weeks. That's it. We have lost NO ONE who we thought would be on the 53.

 

[Joey007]

Definitely calling it for him this week. Hope we can get him for Miami. Maybe we can see him practicing by the end of this week?

 

[Joey007]

 

[ViperGTS]

Well he ain't playing Sunday thats almost a given now.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

O

Well he ain't playing Sunday thats almost a given now.

ya, this sucks.
When he first got hurt I wasn’t worried.
I am now.

 

[bakes781]

As a draft geek I will say watch the 2 rookies at DT Hemingway and Pegues. They were binkies of mine and others. It's probably too early to expect much from them but they are very talented IMO.

 

[jdlboot14]

On the game...
I'm more concerned about Moses vs. Crosby than I am about Campbell vs. the field (or Crosby too)
Moses has barely practiced, is old and slow, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Bryant in the game in the 2nd half.
Not to take over for the year, but to spell Moses, who hasn't seen game speed since last year.

 

[PatsFan2]

Agree.

There will always be injuries. But with Gonzo, you have the options of Davis or Austin, longer corners, to cover Bowers. Without Gonzo, you need Davis and Austin as the starting boundary corners. You can't put Marcus Jones on him - he's giving up like a foot and 100 pounds. Mapu is a depth LB because he doesn't cover well enough to play S in this defense.

And the faster/lighter penetrating defense - we saw the defense susceptible to screens in preseason. With Jeanty and Bowers you have a couple terrific options for floating beyond the line of scrimmage as the defense attacks and finding wide open spaces. The 'read-and-react' two-gap defense was pretty good at managing the screens and draws. A quick penetrating defense sets itself up for challenges.
They may need to run the 2001 Super Bowl tape and play Spillane, Ellis, or Mapu on Jeanty consistently, just following and hitting him, as the Patriots did with Faulk. Can they rely on Woodson or Hawkins to contain Bowers?

Need a Big game from CB Alex Austin if Gonzo is a no go. Also we have to hope our Defense Force a Turnover or two.

 

[PatsFan2]

On the game...
I'm more concerned about Moses vs. Crosby than I am about Campbell vs. the field (or Crosby too)
Moses has barely practiced, is old and slow, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Bryant in the game in the 2nd half.
Not to take over for the year, but to spell Moses, who hasn't seen game speed since last year.

I was really hoping V Lowe could be our Swing Tackle. But it seems like he's pure Left Tackle.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Need a Big game from CB Alex Austin if Gonzo is a no go. Also we have to hope our Defense Force a Turnover our too.

Pass rush will be huge. Best way to help your secondary, get the QB off his spot quickly!

 

[PatsFan2]

Pass rush will be huge. Best way to help your secondary, get the QB off his spot quickly!

Sorry about the the end I was typing too fast.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

They have a guy on staff named Spytek? Nobody better say squat about cameras...

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Mapu is a depth LB because he doesn't cover well enough to play S in this defense.

He can't cover quick or fast WR's - but maybe he can cover TEs closer to the line of scrimmage. In college I recall he was a very effective spy on mobile QBs. Not afraid to hit very hard.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Amazing to read the Raiders forum game thread and just how many of their fans think they have the better coach, better qb, better receivers and believe they are going to thump the Pats.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Amazing to read the Raiders forum game thread and just how many of their fans think they have the better coach, better qb, better receivers and believe they are going to thump the Pats.

So are they crazy, or are we

 

[Patsfan1645]

So are they crazy, or are we

If we can establish a run, contain Bowers and get pressure on Smith I think its most definitely a win. I think Bowers is the toughest of the three things to do. As for who is crazy well........

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

If we can establish a run, contain Bowers and get pressure on Smith I think its most definitely a win. I think Bowers is the toughest of the three things to do. As for who is crazy well........

Haha, asked and answered!!