Keys to Sunday's Ravens game

[shirtsleeve]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

I forgot. Score 1 more point than the Ravens.

This.

(also, maybe someone could get all up in Boldin's face and play bump and run on him. Oh maybe Mayo could shadow Rice, too. )

 

[D-Money]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Curious to see early how this offense will look without Moss.Can they move the ball consistently?I expect them to try and run the football alot.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Here is how I view how the Patriots can win this Sunday.

On offense: Start off spreading the field using quick passes and misdirection plays. When Tom is goes under center no more than a 3 to 5 step drop and get rid of the ball quickly. Mix in some runs, screens, and draws. Have long drives to tire the Ravens D and keep their O off the field.
I would agree with the long drives comments, I also think our defense performs better with the offense grinding it out and converting on 3rd

Get a lead so they have to start throwing the ball more.
I am very interested to see how our throwing game will play out this week. I love the short screens but at the same time I don't want to become too predictable. You start getting those corners coming closer to the line and cheating, then our short game may hurt us. I think offensively Brady can pick apart any team in the league if he has the time, that seems like a bold statement but he'll kill teams if the o-line plays solid cause I think his pre-surgery confidence is back. I have said it before, I think for our team, o-line play is about as important as it gets. BJGE, man I am sold on him, I love how he explodes when he gets the ball. I am definitely rooting for his success.

On defense: Play either a 4 man line or a big nickle. Get 8 up to stop the run and let Flacco try to beat us with his arm. Limit the Raven running game to under 100 yards.
8 in the box makes me actually pretty nervous. I don't know. I like how opportunistic our D was against Miami. i guess what i mean by that is that sometimes you have to take the training wheels off our D. I know that sounds very risky but we do have some speed on D. Get 'em to trust their instincts and start breaking on the ball when possible.

Agree? Disagree? What else or what should we do different than what I mentioned?

I am very excited about this game and can't wait til Sunday.

 

[patsfan13]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

To add a few points, have Gronk chipping Suggs so Light can get his hands on him.


Tate will get single coverage (#2CB) , with coverage rolled towards Welker. I'd like to see Welker Hernandez on one side Gronk and Tate on the other side. I would like to see us take a shot or 2 with Tate. He has the speed and the guy covering him will not be getting a lot of help. Most of the passes willbe targeted to Hernandez/Welker.

I hope to see progress by the D from week to week, fewer mistakes. The talent and athleticism are there just a matter of playing the d correctly.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

I agree we should limit their running game to under 100 yards.

I disagree. IMO, our best game plan is to hold them to over 100 yards.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

To add a few points, have Gronk chipping Suggs so Light can get his hands on him.


Tate will get single coverage (#2CB) , with coverage rolled towards Welker. I'd like to see Welker Hernandez on one side Gronk and Tate on the other side. I would like to see us take a shot or 2 with Tate. He has the speed and the guy covering him will not be getting a lot of help. Most of the passes willbe targeted to Hernandez/Welker.

I hope to see progress by the D from week to week, fewer mistakes. The talent and athleticism are there just a matter of playing the d correctly.

So the Twig doesn't even see the field? Maybe not, I guess.

I disagree. IMO, our best game plan is to hold them to over 100 yards.

Point taken. Someone here thinks we will see a lot of base D, and I kinda agree, especially on early downs. If the D can keep everything funnelled inside and make the RB's gain tough yards after contact, yds against on the ground will be a secondary consideration.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Great post.

I mentioned last week- I think Brady will throw the long bomb on the first drive, possibly the first play. It is the perfect play to catch the D by surprise.

2004 AFCCG Deion over the top for 6??? :rocker:

 

[shirtsleeve]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

2004 AFCCG Deion over the top for 6??? :rocker:

It'll work if they come out in a two wr/2te set, under center, play action to bjge then a quick post to the twig or tate.

 

[jays52]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

It'll work if they come out in a two wr/2te set, under center, play action to bjge then a quick post to the twig or tate.

Sounds nice in theory but Baltimore is not going to respect the run until they are forced to. With all the horses they have up front, I bet they tee off on the shorter passing game and bring plenty of heat. The way to get them off balance is to force them in lateral pursuit early and often. Use your sets to keep the backers in tight, then distribute the ball on the shorter routes on the hashes. They're going to come out hyped and I think that you can get them to blow their wad early. Get those players driving hard laterally for most of the 1st half then begin to run the ball. Get the big uglies gassed then run them over. It is critical that you get Ngata either off the field for rest or so damn tired he can barely play. Then, I I would specifically attack Lewis with blindside blocks. When you have dominant players playing stacked up like that it makes life very difficult to move the football. Remove one through exhaustion and then go after the other one. It's like Jenga, take out the key piece and the tower will fall. That whole defense keys off of him, and if you can establish that you are going to drive through them they will be far easier to defeat. Once you have that established, you're going to have the opportunities for the deep strike.

I think it's critical to understand that this offense is now going to be one that is far more play dependent and based upon setting things up. If the gameplan is sound, understands how to exhaust a defense, and incrementally moves the football they will be effective. The beauty of the deep strike is that when properly utilized it is a knockout punch setup off of a beautiful combination. I'm expecting two deep strikes or so total from this game, but they will be lethal when they come. Surgical precision. It's going to be a thing of beauty.

 

[reflexblue]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Sounds nice in theory but Baltimore is not going to respect the run until they are forced to. With all the horses they have up front, I bet they tee off on the shorter passing game and bring plenty of heat. The way to get them off balance is to force them in lateral pursuit early and often. Use your sets to keep the backers in tight, then distribute the ball on the shorter routes on the hashes. They're going to come out hyped and I think that you can get them to blow their wad early. Get those players driving hard laterally for most of the 1st half then begin to run the ball. Get the big uglies gassed then run them over. It is critical that you get Ngata either off the field for rest or so damn tired he can barely play. Then, I I would specifically attack Lewis with blindside blocks. When you have dominant players playing stacked up like that it makes life very difficult to move the football. Remove one through exhaustion and then go after the other one. It's like Jenga, take out the key piece and the tower will fall. That whole defense keys off of him, and if you can establish that you are going to drive through them they will be far easier to defeat. Once you have that established, you're going to have the opportunities for the deep strike.

I think it's critical to understand that this offense is now going to be one that is far more play dependent and based upon setting things up. If the gameplan is sound, understands how to exhaust a defense, and incrementally moves the football they will be effective. The beauty of the deep strike is that when properly utilized it is a knockout punch setup off of a beautiful combination. I'm expecting two deep strikes or so total from this game, but they will be lethal when they come. Surgical precision. It's going to be a thing of beauty.

You don't sound confused...

 

[shirtsleeve]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Sounds nice in theory but Baltimore is not going to respect the run until they are forced to. With all the horses they have up front, I bet they tee off on the shorter passing game and bring plenty of heat. The way to get them off balance is to force them in lateral pursuit early and often. Use your sets to keep the backers in tight, then distribute the ball on the shorter routes on the hashes. They're going to come out hyped and I think that you can get them to blow their wad early. Get those players driving hard laterally for most of the 1st half then begin to run the ball. Get the big uglies gassed then run them over. It is critical that you get Ngata either off the field for rest or so damn tired he can barely play. Then, I I would specifically attack Lewis with blindside blocks. When you have dominant players playing stacked up like that it makes life very difficult to move the football. Remove one through exhaustion and then go after the other one. It's like Jenga, take out the key piece and the tower will fall. That whole defense keys off of him, and if you can establish that you are going to drive through them they will be far easier to defeat. Once you have that established, you're going to have the opportunities for the deep strike.

I think it's critical to understand that this offense is now going to be one that is far more play dependent and based upon setting things up. If the gameplan is sound, understands how to exhaust a defense, and incrementally moves the football they will be effective. The beauty of the deep strike is that when properly utilized it is a knockout punch setup off of a beautiful combination. I'm expecting two deep strikes or so total from this game, but they will be lethal when they come. Surgical precision. It's going to be a thing of beauty.

Nice post and I agree completely. My point here is on the first play it would possibly work if the Pats come out in a classic run set.

If they come out in the gun or the spread, its not gonna be a good game at all.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

So the Twig doesn't even see the field? Maybe not, I guess.



Point taken. Someone here thinks we will see a lot of base D, and I kinda agree, especially on early downs. If the D can keep everything funnelled inside and make the RB's gain tough yards after contact, yds against on the ground will be a secondary consideration.

I was being sarcastic.

 

[Patspsycho]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Sounds nice in theory but Baltimore is not going to respect the run until they are forced to. With all the horses they have up front, I bet they tee off on the shorter passing game and bring plenty of heat. The way to get them off balance is to force them in lateral pursuit early and often. Use your sets to keep the backers in tight, then distribute the ball on the shorter routes on the hashes. They're going to come out hyped and I think that you can get them to blow their wad early. Get those players driving hard laterally for most of the 1st half then begin to run the ball. Get the big uglies gassed then run them over. It is critical that you get Ngata either off the field for rest or so damn tired he can barely play. Then, I I would specifically attack Lewis with blindside blocks. When you have dominant players playing stacked up like that it makes life very difficult to move the football. Remove one through exhaustion and then go after the other one. It's like Jenga, take out the key piece and the tower will fall. That whole defense keys off of him, and if you can establish that you are going to drive through them they will be far easier to defeat. Once you have that established, you're going to have the opportunities for the deep strike.

I think it's critical to understand that this offense is now going to be one that is far more play dependent and based upon setting things up. If the gameplan is sound, understands how to exhaust a defense, and incrementally moves the football they will be effective. The beauty of the deep strike is that when properly utilized it is a knockout punch setup off of a beautiful combination. I'm expecting two deep strikes or so total from this game, but they will be lethal when they come. Surgical precision. It's going to be a thing of beauty.

Beautiful gameplan. I absolutely agree with taking advantage of the fact that they tend to go into games overly incited and frenzied to the point of frothing at the mouth, especially Lewis. If you look at the regular season game they lost to us, they got unhinged on the personal foul calls, especially the two roughing the passer penalties. That took them out of the game.

I am not sure we would stay away from the run game because that is the one things that will keep the backers close as you say, and force them to chase the lateral game, and when they are gassed we hit them with the smash to split the safeties and open up the vertical game.

That being said, I am still of the persuasion that we will have one play that's a long bomb, just to get the backfield to play on their heels and not rolled up so close that they throttle the run game, expand the box and cover the numbers, and cut down on the real estate that has to be covered by the LB's.

 

[jays52]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

Beautiful gameplan. I absolutely agree with taking advantage of the fact that they tend to go into games overly incited and frenzied to the point of frothing at the mouth, especially Lewis. If you look at the regular season game they lost to us, they got unhinged on the personal foul calls, especially the two roughing the passer penalties. That took them out of the game.

I am not sure we would stay away from the run game because that is the one things that will keep the backers close as you say, and force them to chase the lateral game, and when they are gassed we hit them with the smash to split the safeties and open up the vertical game.

That being said, I am still of the persuasion that we will have one play that's a long bomb, just to get the backfield to play on their heels and not rolled up so close that they throttle the run game, expand the box and cover the numbers, and cut down on the real estate that has to be covered by the LB's.

Yeah, and especially true when you consider what Zbikowski and Landry do. It's a big reason in my logic behind the pursuit theory. When they go to stuff that takes away the lateral game, the safeties become vulnerable to stuff that is setup off of the short game. When Landry comes down to help out against Welker, whomever is on Branch is going to get beat bad on the sluggo. Once they begin to respect that exploit and are forced to become honest they become vulnerable to the run and ultimately the kill strike. By the time the run becomes the major part of the tempo the D is going to be worn out. It's a tall order, but I believe they can be had.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

I was being sarcastic.

I wasn't. The Pats D yds against sometimes, even in the championship years, was and is not a thing of beauty. The logic to that philosophy is to play disiplined, keep it inside and in front of you and make them earn it. Sooner or later the Ravens will make that mistake and that is when the Pats D will be there to take advantage of that opportunity to stop the drive. Its how this D works. Its a game of attrition, just as jays52 was discussing on offense. When this team was at its best, they wore down and ground the opposition slowly and unmercifully into submission.

 

[thechris]

For this game, it's simple.

Protect Tom Brady.

 

[Water Boy]

Re: Keys to Sundays Ravens Game.

The Patriots won't be able to stop Rice, they have really been kinda bad in stopping the run all year

I think the Pats Run Defense is improving. Mayo was a beast against Miami. Chung, Merriweather and McCourty have the ability to support the run as well.

 

[Water Boy]

I'm not too worried about our offense. I think we can mitigate their pass rush with quick screens, draws, etc. and then mix in well timed running plays and longer passes.

What does worry me is Baltimore's receiving corp. I keep hearing all of this garbage about what a terrible QB Flacco is. I don't buy it. He's not Joe Montana, but he can get the job done. If you go back and look at the game against the Jets, time and time again he hit his big physical receivers on 3rd down in very tight coverage.

My fear is that even with half decent coverage by our defense backs, Baltimore's physical receivers (Boldin, Mason and Whowsyouremomma) will consistently win the battle on 3rd down. The Patriots Defense will need 2 turnovers to win the game.

 

[PATSNUTme]

One more "key". TURNOVERS.

We don't have to get any although 1 or 2 will be welcome. But ball security is vital in this game. the Ravens feed on turnovers. Don't give them any and we will be in good shape.

 

[SuperPatsFan]

Rice rushed for over 100 yards each of the last two times these teams have met, so barring injury it's not likely the Pats can effectively shut him down.

Spreading the ball around is critical. The Pats must have at least two receivers with 50-plus yards to win, IMHO, and I'd like their chances even more with three.

Finally, I believe the game will come down to turnovers. Given an admittedly small data set (this season's games), in every game the Pats have had an interception, they've won, and if they haven't had a pick, they've lost. In the last two meetings between the Ravens and Patriots, quite simply, the team with fewer turnovers has won.

Therefore the formula for success this Sunday, as I see it: Rice gets his hundred, Flacco throws a pick, and Brady spreads the ball around.