long distance
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2015
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- 10,307
- Reaction score
- 27,270
There were plenty of eyebrows raised when Pats didn't bring back Lewis and used #31 pick for a RB.
While Patriots statistically had a decent running game in SBLII they struggled quite a bit in last yrs postseason. They nearly lost the home AFCCG after they couldn't get anything going on the ground and struggled to convert short yardage situations throughout the season. It was clear watching BB on the sidelines and seeing him abandoning running game on a regular basis that he would not tolerate that anymore.
Lewis was a very nice piece of Pats rushing committee but didn't really establish himself as strong lead back option and struggled in clear running situations esp. short yardage. Last postseason he rushed for combined 134 yds in 3 games (45 per game) and zero TDs.
Today Sony Michel rushed for 129 yds (5.4 per att.) and 3 TDs. Its not only about Sony of course but his skill set and execution is a big part of efficient NE running game. Not only that this kind of running game (186 yds per game last 3 weeks!) opens up the whole offence and takes the burden and the risks off TB but also helps milking the clock and closing games. It also brings very important balance to the offence that becomes less predictable and more difficult to prepare/game plan for.
Here are general O stats of last postseason (average numbers per game over 3 playoff games):
22 rushes for 86 yds (3.7 ypa) --- 47 passes for 384 yds
Today:
34 rushes for 155 yds (4.6 ypa) --- 44 passes for 343 yds
Over last 3 games this season (average numbers per game over last 3 games):
37 rushes for 186 yds (5.0 ypa) --- 34 passes for 235 yds
This kind of balance and efficiency is hard to stop for any D - esp. pass rush heavy D.
If they can keep this going it also presents favourable matchup vs KC since they continue to struggle vs the run. Whats bailing them out is Mahomes'/Reid's magic that lets them play with big leads and opposing teams have to abandon the run early. It was also the story of their last comfortable win over IND - where they still surrendered 87 rushing yds on just 14 carries (6.2 ypa!)
Back in Oct KC allowed 173 rushing yards (4.6 ypa) to NE who had a very balanced attack again: 35 passes and 38 rushes. So it does bode well that NE RBs and OLs are healthy and humming..
With confidence in the running game it was no surprise (or at least it shouldn't have been) BB elected to receive first -- electing to receive and making sure KC doesn't get a head start or big lead is likely to be on BBs mind again next Sunday so that he can keep the balance throughout the game and unbalance KC D playing to their weakness..
While Patriots statistically had a decent running game in SBLII they struggled quite a bit in last yrs postseason. They nearly lost the home AFCCG after they couldn't get anything going on the ground and struggled to convert short yardage situations throughout the season. It was clear watching BB on the sidelines and seeing him abandoning running game on a regular basis that he would not tolerate that anymore.
Lewis was a very nice piece of Pats rushing committee but didn't really establish himself as strong lead back option and struggled in clear running situations esp. short yardage. Last postseason he rushed for combined 134 yds in 3 games (45 per game) and zero TDs.
Today Sony Michel rushed for 129 yds (5.4 per att.) and 3 TDs. Its not only about Sony of course but his skill set and execution is a big part of efficient NE running game. Not only that this kind of running game (186 yds per game last 3 weeks!) opens up the whole offence and takes the burden and the risks off TB but also helps milking the clock and closing games. It also brings very important balance to the offence that becomes less predictable and more difficult to prepare/game plan for.
Here are general O stats of last postseason (average numbers per game over 3 playoff games):
22 rushes for 86 yds (3.7 ypa) --- 47 passes for 384 yds
Today:
34 rushes for 155 yds (4.6 ypa) --- 44 passes for 343 yds
Over last 3 games this season (average numbers per game over last 3 games):
37 rushes for 186 yds (5.0 ypa) --- 34 passes for 235 yds
This kind of balance and efficiency is hard to stop for any D - esp. pass rush heavy D.
If they can keep this going it also presents favourable matchup vs KC since they continue to struggle vs the run. Whats bailing them out is Mahomes'/Reid's magic that lets them play with big leads and opposing teams have to abandon the run early. It was also the story of their last comfortable win over IND - where they still surrendered 87 rushing yds on just 14 carries (6.2 ypa!)
Back in Oct KC allowed 173 rushing yards (4.6 ypa) to NE who had a very balanced attack again: 35 passes and 38 rushes. So it does bode well that NE RBs and OLs are healthy and humming..
With confidence in the running game it was no surprise (or at least it shouldn't have been) BB elected to receive first -- electing to receive and making sure KC doesn't get a head start or big lead is likely to be on BBs mind again next Sunday so that he can keep the balance throughout the game and unbalance KC D playing to their weakness..
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