The dominance of Le'Veon Bell, and why containing Pittsburgh's run game should be the first priority

[Soul_Survivor88]

Patriots' sturdy run D hasn't allowed a 90-yard rusher in past 24 games

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The haven't-faced-top-quarterbacks story has been thoroughly analyzed at this point leading into Sunday's AFC Championship Game

Meanwhile, the spotlight hasn't shined as brightly on how the Patriots' run defense, led by defensive tackle Alan Branch and linebacker Dont'a Hightower, has put the clamps down on some of the game's best rushers. The Patriots will need to be at their best again on Sunday against Le'Veon Bell.

The defining stat of the week: The Patriots haven't allowed a rusher to gain 90 or more yards in any of their past 24 games, while Bell has hit that mark in each of his past eight games. Furthermore, the Patriots haven't allowed a rushing touchdown since Oct. 30, while Bell has nine over that span.

It's the classic matchup of strength vs. strength

New England's run defense hasn't always been airtigh, and it's also notable that the Patriots' ability to get an early lead has forced teams out of some running situations earlier in games. But overall, the Patriots have been able to achieve their goal of building a wall at the line of scrimmage, accounting for gaps and tackling well at all levels against some of the NFL's best running backs.​

 

[Guts]

Patriots' sturdy run D hasn't allowed a 90-yard rusher in past 24 games

[Click here for full link]

The haven't-faced-top-quarterbacks story has been thoroughly analyzed at this point leading into Sunday's AFC Championship Game

Meanwhile, the spotlight hasn't shined as brightly on how the Patriots' run defense, led by defensive tackle Alan Branch and linebacker Dont'a Hightower, has put the clamps down on some of the game's best rushers. The Patriots will need to be at their best again on Sunday against Le'Veon Bell.

The defining stat of the week: The Patriots haven't allowed a rusher to gain 90 or more yards in any of their past 24 games, while Bell has hit that mark in each of his past eight games. Furthermore, the Patriots haven't allowed a rushing touchdown since Oct. 30, while Bell has nine over that span.

It's the classic matchup of strength vs. strength

New England's run defense hasn't always been airtigh, and it's also notable that the Patriots' ability to get an early lead has forced teams out of some running situations earlier in games. But overall, the Patriots have been able to achieve their goal of building a wall at the line of scrimmage, accounting for gaps and tackling well at all levels against some of the NFL's best running backs.​

Damn awesome stat and find thanks for sharing. Had no clue our run D has been this good

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

It's fairly bad. As much as the defense has improved post Collins, having him to play that role would be nice (although Collins had his fair share of being beaten in coverage by RB too).

Yikes. You're right. I just learned the Patriots have allowed the second most receptions (101) and third most receiving yardage (801) in the NFL to running backs

The thought of Bell catching the football and making plays out of the backfield should be a cause of concern

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Damn awesome stat and find thanks for sharing. Had no clue our run D has been this good

As a matter of fact, according to Football Outsiders DVO (which measures efficiency adjusted for opponents) this is the highest-ranked rushing defense of Belichick's tenure in New England

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

So what would be the best gameplan against Pittsburgh's offense? Stack the box to limit the run, keep two safeties deep, and playing a good amount of Cover 2 to take away the big plays and make Roethlisberger dink and dunk his way down the field.

Stack the box = 8 in the box. Cover 2 = 2 deep. That is 10 guys. We only get 11 guys on defense. Can't stack and play Cover 2 - have to pick which one to play. Trying to stack the box on running plays and Cover 2 on passing plays means you are guessing and will get burned.

So I hope we play a lot of Nickel, substitute Roberts in and out the best possible for running plays, fill the gaps, and have safeties who can tackle (we do).

That is where an athlete like Collins is so effective - no need for substitution - he is good against the run and pass so you are never guessing with substitutions. But he didn't work for other reasons.

It frustrates fans but we need to maintain gaps, no risky shooting the gap defense, and bottle up Bell with 7 guys. If Bells under 100 yards then we win. Pitt did nothing surprising in their second game against the Ravens, and just beat Baltimore with their O-line blocking. So we have to stack and frustrate their O-line. Much easier said then done.

I love to see 3 fatties to stuff the gaps (opposite of nickel) but then there is no pass pressure up the middle - another substitution/guess defense that is risky. But who doesn't like 3 fatties? I am guessing not this game - lots of nickel.

Will be fun to watch - only good teams make it to the AFCCG.

 

[PittPatriot]

Agreed. However, I think the issue this time could be, who is going to contain him? Wasn't it Jamie Collins who did it last time? Who steps up this time? I suppose it's Hightower.

That is exactly my concern. Hightower help stop the running attack, but Bell is as much a receiver as he is a runner. In the past, Collins was our best player in space against guys like that.
Also, as much as people want to say "we contained him in October" or "we've been stopping great backs all season," I am looking down the list of who the respective QB was. Stopping Bell with Landry Jones or Adjai with Matt Moore is going to be different than with a legit QB like Roethlisberger.

 

[PittPatriot]

Will be fun to watch - only good teams make it to the AFCCG.

The 2014 Colts may be the exception.

 

[kennyb]

They need to use cb blitzes to tackle bell from behind when he's hunting and pecking. Peck, peck, peck a 190 lb cb hits him in the back of the knees.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

This thread should really be named the dominance of the Steelers Oline. They've played unbelievable for a number of reasons.

Some 1st rd picks and ud guys. They have a nice mix that complements each other really in terms of style and chemistry.

This isn't Buffalo Bills who have a very good run game and want to bully you. They cant just gets away with that.

Like most teams they ask a lot of their line but in recent weeks Pitts line has played extremely well.

Its a zone/gap scheme that requires a lot movement up front to distort the los in their favor and stick to their block to create space/lanes for Bell.

In Jumbo expect the Gilbert pulling and the inside guys, who really are the star of the line. To slam our DT's and help createa wall on each side.

This is a great package bc it really illustrates why the line is so effective. The T's have improved a lot which allows the play to be so effective.

Bell is the biggest mis match on the field, particularly in a rec threat. Its not even close when you consider our guys aren't the best in coverage.
Not only that but Bell can be a bull and just bang his way to 3-4 yards. Very savy runner inside the tackles. Something Joe Mixon, a often compared college player, hasnt quite mastered yet.

Bell is the key above all else imo.


Our DT's have to anchor down and clog the A/B all day. Branch has been so underrated this year and I expect him to have a big day. Hes such a beast when he gets underneath the guy across from him.

Gap control to key but simply not enough here. Bell is usedto waiting for lanes to open and making something out of nothing. We have to get push up front. TFL's would be great but Im simply talking about moving the los back some to closethe distance between us and Bell.

Biggest key for our backers is not to over shoot Bell. It's a killer when we only have a few guys back there and Bell in space.

McCourty is a great tackler but lets not have to hope for him to make a great play that often.


GO PATS