True or false: the Patriots will pursue a ball-control strategy against the Bills

[Seven Nation Army]

I bet the Patriots play ball hog tomorrow and just sit on it for 40+ minutes. The score will be more like 21-3 than 38-14. Lots of rushing, punishing them early with Maroney and Morris, maybe another play-action TD strike to Moss out of a run-heavy formation.

Once New England gets a double-digit lead I think the Pats will actually throttle back the offense. Why fling the ball around if you're up 14-0 against a terrible offense? The Chargers and Jets needed to be buried under an avalanche of points, but a low-key win against Buffalo may be exactly what Dr. Belichick ordered this week.

I think the Patriots will hold the ball for 40+ minutes tomorrow. If the Bills are as bad as they look, New England could set records for time of possession.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

you bet wrong.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I am intrigued of the thought of a ball control game. The O-Line is the best we have had under Belichick. the 3 headed combo of Maroney, Morris and Faulk is as potent as any teams top 3. When that game comes ... it will be as fun and sweet as the passing game has been this year.

I have no doubt that either Maroney or Morris could have a 100-yard game on any given Sunday if Belichick goes in that direction. Could they both have 100-yard games on the same day ... fun to think of that ... it's possible with this line.

 

[cubicle_6]

I'd like to resist the temptation to expose Brady to unneccessary (potentially) hits by dropping him back and running deep patterns.
I agree we should bide our time running the ball and working Watson in the passing game, no need to get too greedy early on.
The WRs will get their chances after the Pats slow the pass rush.
No need to get too fancy in this game.

 

[marty]

IMO it will be a very balanced game, not showcasing any particular aspect. In fact BB will probably not want to show too much more this early in the season.
But I agree that they will not come out with the "shoot em up strategy of last week.

 

[DynastyDriven]

first half will be an air show to put them up big and the second half will be run run run, im off to the game, enjoy it!

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I bet the Patriots play ball hog tomorrow and just sit on it for 40+ minutes. The score will be more like 21-3 than 38-14. Lots of rushing, punishing them early with Maroney and Morris, maybe another play-action TD strike to Moss out of a run-heavy formation. ...

The Bills are a really bad team. Even a ground game could provide tons of scoring for the Pats. The Bills will be lucky to get a couple of field goals.

 

[WTE]

If the Bills are as bad as they look, New England could set records for time of possession.

I'm not so sure about that. Didn't you see the "Belistrator" on Patriots Today?

The Bills looked scary.

 

[jefmblrd]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pats come out and try to run the ball right at the Bills and try to break them early.

 

[JR4]

You don't let a team stay within striking distance. 2 TDs is not
insurmountable. A few breaks for Bills ... a few bad plays by the
PATs and Bills could be knocking at the door.
A 3 TD lead going into the 4th Q is a very good lead. If that happens
then sit Brady and use a lot of second string guys.

The more contact the more chance for injury. The run game is a lot of
contact. We got two banged up Oline men now. A quick strike passing
game with little contact would be nice. Of course there'll a be a run game
but why be a heavy run game which incurs a lot of contact?

 

[JoeSixPat]

I bet the Patriots play ball hog tomorrow and just sit on it for 40+ minutes. The score will be more like 21-3 than 38-14. Lots of rushing, punishing them early with Maroney and Morris, maybe another play-action TD strike to Moss out of a run-heavy formation.

Once New England gets a double-digit lead I think the Pats will actually throttle back the offense. Why fling the ball around if you're up 14-0 against a terrible offense? The Chargers and Jets needed to be buried under an avalanche of points, but a low-key win against Buffalo may be exactly what Dr. Belichick ordered this week.

I think the Patriots will hold the ball for 40+ minutes tomorrow. If the Bills are as bad as they look, New England could set records for time of possession.

If they rack up a 21-0 lead, yes, expect them to adopt a ball controll run out the clock approach... though they'd still do their best to put more points on t he board

That's what you do in that situation, and that's what teams ideally want to do

But it won't be a slow run oriented game from the outset

However, keep in mind that as great as the deep game has been, one is always taking a chance when sending the ball in the air, deep... that's high risk football and BB prefers not to play high risk football... so if he thinks he can get away with a safer, more conservative passing game, I think he'll do exactly that

 

[PatriotsReign]

I bet the Patriots play ball hog tomorrow and just sit on it for 40+ minutes. The score will be more like 21-3 than 38-14. Lots of rushing, punishing them early with Maroney and Morris, maybe another play-action TD strike to Moss out of a run-heavy formation.

Once New England gets a double-digit lead I think the Pats will actually throttle back the offense. Why fling the ball around if you're up 14-0 against a terrible offense? The Chargers and Jets needed to be buried under an avalanche of points, but a low-key win against Buffalo may be exactly what Dr. Belichick ordered this week.

I think the Patriots will hold the ball for 40+ minutes tomorrow. If the Bills are as bad as they look, New England could set records for time of possession.

I think you're right about how the Pats start out...BUT, I think they'll actually open it up in the second half only because Brady & Co. have too much fun with the passing game and those receivers deserve to get involved in the game. Besides, there's no better way to further develop their timing than to go to the passing game extensively.

If the Pats are to win another SB, it will be as a result of an unstoppable passing game...they won't get there on the ground.

 

[PatriotsReign]

I think you're right about how the Pats start out...BUT, I think they'll actually open it up in the second half only because Brady & Co. have too much fun with the passing game and those receivers deserve to get involved in the game. Besides, there's no better way to further develop their timing than to go to the passing game extensively.

If the Pats are to win another SB, it will be as a result of an unstoppable passing game...they won't get there on the ground.

Wow, excellent prediction...oh, that was mine! never mind!

In all seriousness, I don't think the Pats will ever go out and try to just run. It's the passsing game that sets their tempo and sets them apart from the other teams...yes, even the Colts. If we try to win a game on the ground, all we'll do is throw off the tempo of the entire offense and then it could be tough to go to the passing game if we can't run against some teams. No matter who we play, we'll be able to move the ball through the air.

That much has already been proven.