Patriots Pregame Thread Pats-Ratbirds thread

[Zuma]

Our biggest weak spot on D IMO (when Williams was playing) has been Pass Coverage by LB's. The Bills had 7 receptions by TE's. I expect that to be the weakest link again against the Ravens who will throw to the middle of the field (and our run D will suffer as well).

 

[TheRainMaker]

The secondary doesn't have a benefit of a pass rush so therefore the coverages get exploited..

Gonzo needs front 7 help so he can take more opportunities to make plays on the ball.. just his contemporaries in Stingley Jr. And Surtain the 2nd have..

This won't happen until next season.

The CBS are being asked to play man and zone.. I get the switching up to keep offenses off tilt however Vrabel said he wanted to play cat coverage they haven't done that this season.

Our two best outside CBs have 0 InInterceptions. Let that sink in..

It all starts in the trenches and the Pats pass rush hasn't been very good - even at full strength. They also don't have a LB that can cover much ground to spy on QB like Allen when they are in man coverage. This is probably why they are in man around 29% of the time to 65% of the time in zone. Every time the rush didn't get to Allen on Sunday, I was hoping Allen didn't see the rush lanes and take off....he did. Jackson is going to be even worse Sunday night as he panics at the sight of rushers and will take off. Edge play is going to have to be more disciplined than it was last Sunday.

The pass defense hasn't been good this year as well giving up 24 passing TD's to only 8 INT's, 66% completion and a QB rating of 96. All ranking in the bottom 3rd of the league. And we all know how terrible they are in the red zone. They are also not getting their hands on the ball as they rank very low in passes defensed.

NFL Secondary Statistics: Coverage Scheme Stats & Rates

Explore 2025 NFL coverage scheme data. See which defenses rely on man or zone coverage with our team-by-team percentage breakdown.

www.sharpfootballanalysis.com

2025 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2025 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jimnance]

It will take a dominant offensive game to win - and I don't think we have that with a very bad run blocking OL.

Most of the year, yes BUT over the last 3 games Pats' OL runblocking has been 3rd best in the NFL.
Let's hope the trend continues.
But I'm more concerned with our Run D with all the injuries.

 

[p8ryts]

The secondary doesn't have a benefit of a pass rush so therefore the coverages get exploited..

Gonzo needs front 7 help so he can take more opportunities to make plays on the ball.. just his contemporaries in Stingley Jr. And Surtain the 2nd have..

This won't happen until next season.

The CBS are being asked to play man and zone.. I get the switching up to keep offenses off tilt however Vrabel said he wanted to play cat coverage they haven't done that this season.

Our two best outside CBs have 0 InInterceptions. Let that sink in..

Buffalo came into the game with three primary pass catchers (not counting cook here), Kincaid, Knox and Shakir. Why wouldn't we man up with Gonzo on Kinkaid, Davis on Knox and Jones on Shakir? Instead, we ended up with Jones caught covering the TE's several times.

 

[Real fan 02]

Darrelle Revis has 29 career interceptions in 12 full seasons.
Stephon Gilmore has 32 career interceptions in 14 seasons.

This seems to be another blind spot for you with counting stats vs. actual performance on the field.

I'll give you my pearl vision optometrist.. to help you out.. how many INTs does Gonzo have this season? 0 how many seasons did gilly or revis, law go with 0 INTS?

It's the front 7 Tommy it's fine I'm one with it.. they have done well with what they have it's not gonna change this season.

Next season as you and I discussed Vrabel will burn some cash..

 

[Mack Herron]

Offense needs to control TOP.

 

[Real fan 02]

Buffalo came into the game with three primary pass catchers (not counting cook here), Kincaid, Knox and Shakir. Why wouldn't we man up with Gonzo on Kinkaid, Davis on Knox and Jones on Shakir? Instead, we ended up with Jones caught covering the TE's several times.

This has been a theme all season.. how many times do we see Marcus on a 6'4 guy.. it's brain boggling.. I said back in week 5 match up that gonzo should be ok Kincaid..

 

[Real fan 02]

It all starts in the trenches and the Pats pass rush hasn't been very good - even at full strength. They also don't have a LB that can cover much ground to spy on QB like Allen when they are in man coverage. This is probably why they are in man around 29% of the time to 65% of the time in zone. Every time the rush didn't get to Allen on Sunday, I was hoping Allen didn't see the rush lanes and take off....he did. Jackson is going to be even worse Sunday night as he panics at the sight of rushers and will take off. Edge play is going to have to be more disciplined than it was last Sunday.

The pass defense hasn't been good this year as well giving up 24 passing TD's to only 8 INT's, 66% completion and a QB rating of 96. All ranking in the bottom 3rd of the league. And we all know how terrible they are in the red zone. They are also not getting their hands on the ball as they rank very low in passes defensed.

NFL Secondary Statistics: Coverage Scheme Stats & Rates

Explore 2025 NFL coverage scheme data. See which defenses rely on man or zone coverage with our team-by-team percentage breakdown.

www.sharpfootballanalysis.com

2025 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2025 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

There it is. The trenches. For a long stretch of the season the trenches have shown the can hold up. With the injuries piling up the depth has been stressed.

As far a coverage I think Marty would have been up to the task seems he's a bit player now.

I'm taking them to win but I still think Henry still has his way topping 100 yards.

 

[Gumby]

Offense needs to control TOP.

Friday, December 19, 2025

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS​

OUT
LB Robert Spillane - Ankle (DNP)
DOUBTFUL
No Players Listed.
QUESTIONABLE
DT Christian Barmore - Knee (DNP)
CB Carlton Davis III - Hip (LP)
CB Marcus Jones - Knee (LP)
LB Harold Landry - Knee (LP)
NO GAME STATUS GIVEN: LB Christian Elliss - Illness (FP)

Instead of getting healthier after the bye, we seem to be going other direction (Barmore & Spillane; +half the secondary )

 

[Triumph]

 

[PatsFan2]

You gotta be kidding me...when did Barmore get injured?? Now Maye will have to throw at least 475yds for us to have a Chance: there's a first time for everything.

 

[PatsFan2]

I'm going say Barmore missing Today is precautionary. Also I didn't like the flex but now eight extra hours can make a Big difference. This Team needed a night Game the way the injuries are pillin up.

 

[TommyD4207]

I'll give you my pearl vision optometrist.. to help you out.. how many INTs does Gonzo have this season? 0 how many seasons did gilly or revis, law go with 0 INTS?

It's the front 7 Tommy it's fine I'm one with it.. they have done well with what they have it's not gonna change this season.

Next season as you and I discussed Vrabel will burn some cash..

Your obsession with counting stats on defense is pretty weird, considering your equal inclinations to quote PFF.

Actually, wait, that's completely expected, never mind.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Buffalo came into the game with three primary pass catchers (not counting cook here), Kincaid, Knox and Shakir. Why wouldn't we man up with Gonzo on Kinkaid, Davis on Knox and Jones on Shakir? Instead, we ended up with Jones caught covering the TE's several times.

This is what we miss from the pre 2020 Bill days taking away what teams do best. Like the 1st game against the Bills, stopping the run game would've been a heavy emphasis putting the Bills in less favorable passing situations. Bills OL bullied the Pats front 7 game all game long.

This has been a theme all season.. how many times do we see Marcus on a 6'4 guy.. it's brain boggling.. I said back in week 5 match up that gonzo should be ok Kincaid..

He's to have held a lot better this year than in previous years. Prior to this season, he was regularly getting Moss'd.

I'll give you my pearl vision optometrist.. to help you out.. how many INTs does Gonzo have this season? 0 how many seasons did gilly or revis, law go with 0 INTS?

It's the front 7 Tommy it's fine I'm one with it.. they have done well with what they have it's not gonna change this season.

Next season as you and I discussed Vrabel will burn some cash..

If the Trey Hendrickson is willing to commit to a shorter team deal, he's my #1 guy on defense. I'm a big fan of that guy. I've watched him a lot during his New Orleans days and he's one of the rare guys that got under Tom Brady's skin. He's been a beast in Cincy. He's very similar to Simeon Rice where he'd take a contending team and put the defense over the top.

 

[mgteich]

Instead of getting healthier after the bye, we seem to be going other direction (Barmore & Spillane; +half the secondary )

I suggest checking the few weeks before the bye and see how many FRI injury reports had a total of ONE player out or doubtful.

 

[TommyD4207]

This is what we miss from the pre 2020 Bill days taking away what teams do best. Like the 1st game against the Bills, stopping the run game would've been a heavy emphasis putting the Bills in less favorable passing situations. Bills OL bullied the Pats front 7 game all game long.

He's to have held a lot better this year than in previous years. Prior to this season, he was regularly getting Moss'd.

If the Trey Hendrickson is willing to commit to a shorter team deal, he's my #1 guy on defense. I'm a big fan of that guy. I've watched him a lot during his New Orleans days and he's one of the rare guys that got under Tom Brady's skin. He's been a beast in Cincy. He's very similar to Simeon Rice where he'd take a contending team and put the defense over the top.

He's been in the tub all year.
That **** doesn't get better when you get older.

 

[TheRainMaker]

He's been in the tub all year.
That **** doesn't get better when you get older.

That's my concern as well. Is he dogging it or is he really hurt?

 

[TommyD4207]

That's my concern as well. Is he dogging it or is he really hurt?

The fact he's been in the tub since Burrow came back tells me it's the latter.

 

[Real fan 02]

Your obsession with counting stats on defense is pretty weird, considering your equal inclinations to quote PFF.

Actually, wait, that's completely expected, never mind.

Ok.. your right TOs don't matter.. what was I even thinking...

 

[Vindicate]

The fact he's been in the tub since Burrow came back tells me it's the latter.

Sources: Trey Hendrickson's season likely over

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is set to undergo core muscle surgery this week that is expected to sideline him approximately six weeks, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

I don't think he's mailing it in....