We're on to Kansas City

[Uptown]

It’s hard to rough the passer when you are almost dead last in sacks.

That said I like our chances in this game. They stomped us last year at home, it’s payback time.

....but we’re #2 in getting pressure on the QB....

 

[IllegalContact]

right on......I'd rather have 20 INT's than 20 sacks.......especially with the way the pats defense is on 3rd down

 

[SammyBlueCat]

It’s hard to rough the passer when you are almost dead last in sacks.

That said I like our chances in this game. They stomped us last year at home, it’s payback time.

 

[Angelpats]

I’d rather pressure the qb all game than have a couple of sacks. The problem is the next stat I read said teams are 100% at converting third and short on us. I really think our defense is fine and will be better with time but that’s a horrible third down stat.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Maybe I misread something because one of your posts seemed to indicate that we are not creating any pressure at all.

 

[DaBruinz]

BUT.. BUT..BUTT.. The Pats don't get enough pressure on the QB. Just look at the sack totals.. (says several people on Patsfans.com)

Waiting for the complaining about Clayborn to start again. Especially after he drew penalty from the opposing offense and his pressure helped lead to a sack..

 

[Angelpats]

Maybe I misread something because one of your posts seemed to indicate that we are not creating any pressure at all.

It’s was just a response to roughing the passer because it’s hard to get that penalty since we are almost dead last in getting sacks. The more chances we hit the qb the higher our likelihood of getting that penalty. We pressure well enough, we just aren’t touching them. It’s not that I’m upset about it either, I saw a defender get flagged for touching a qbs helmet, it would be upsetting if that happened to us.

 

[Wheelman]

You know the single most annoying thing about reading an opposing teams message board is the god damn Patriots trolls. They're often dumb, wrong, and annoying. So frustrating.

 

[sb1]

You know the single most annoying thing about reading an opposing teams message board is the god damn Patriots trolls. They're often dumb, wrong, and annoying. So frustrating.

I’ve seen it too. I doubt many of them are even really Patriots fans...

 

[Sciz]

I’d rather pressure the qb all game than have a couple of sacks. The problem is the next stat I read said teams are 100% at converting third and short on us. I really think our defense is fine and will be better with time but that’s a horrible third down stat.

That 100% is just 9/9, which isn’t even two plays per game. It also includes the final play of the first half against the Dolphins and the Gore TD when the game was long over. Not the 9 plays I’d be most worried about right now.

 

[Bruins29]

It’s was just a response to roughing the passer because it’s hard to get that penalty since we are almost dead last in getting sacks. The more chances we hit the qb the higher our likelihood of getting that penalty. We pressure well enough, we just aren’t touching them. It’s not that I’m upset about it either, I saw a defender get flagged for touching a qbs helmet, it would be upsetting if that happened to us.

So.. you measure D by sacks

 

[luuked]

That 100% is just 9/9, which isn’t even two plays per game. It also includes the final play of the first half against the Dolphins and the Gore TD when the game was long over. Not the 9 plays I’d be most worried about right now.

I take losing a huge fraction of 3rd and shorts in exchange for continuing to improve on 3rd and 6+. To me 3rd and shorts are more indicative of something not working (or being outplayed) on at least one of the first 2 downs.

 

[Angelpats]

So.. you measure D by sacks

No.

 

[sb1]

Chiefs defense is dead last in the league in drives allowed by opponent in number of plays and yards and 25th in the league in time allowed.

Feels like that's something this kind of offense can exploit big time. They can reverse what other teams try to do to us, keeping their offense off the field as long as possible.

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[Foxypats]

It is only Wednesday, I am already so excited about this game and nervous at the same time. After the last two beatings the chiefs put on the Pats, I want this one so badly !!

 

[QB12]

Not nervous at all, which usually means we cruise.

 

[Kontradiction]

Patriots face a most familiar challenge this week

Some good stuff in here...

Asked about the changes to the Chiefs offense since the last meeting between New England and Kansas City in last year's season-opener, Belichick highlighted the run-pass option plays coach Andy Reid has dialed up.

"Offensively, they've changed a lot because of the number of RPOs they run," Belichick said the Ordway, Merloni and Fauria show. "They run probably 10 RPOs a game. Maybe more that. They run a lot. That's a new part of the offense.

"We played them opening day, and then we got ready for them at the end of the season last year . . . But they didn't have the RPO system like they have it now. I'd say that's a pretty significant change. They have a number of ways to do it, but it's still a post-snap decision that the quarterback makes."

Reid's West Coast attack still utilizes motion, catch-and-run plays and speed, but the RPO is another element that the Patriots will have to expect. As is the case with those other staples of Reid's offense, the RPO is all about getting the football to playmakers quickly and letting them go to work.

"The RPO certainly fits into that category," Belichick said, "but [Reid has] done a great job incorporating that, probably as much as any team we’ve seen -- probably more than any team we’ve seen."

One way to challenge the RPO is by changing fronts from snap-to-snap and by disguising fronts after lining up. Mahomes will be reading the number of defenders in the box to see if the offense is outnumbered in the run game. If he sees seven defenders and only has six blockers for his back, he may be enticed to throw.

But what if counting the number of box defenders isn't all that easy? What if he's having trouble telling the difference between a 4-3 or a five-man "bear" front, for instance?

Changing fronts can make Mahomes' post-snap decision a little dicier as well. If Kyle Van Noy is standing up on the edge alongside Lawrence Guy, who should Mahomes be reading? Is it the linebacker? Is it the end? Who is the end? Is Van Noy rushing or is he part of the coverage equation? Those answers will impact what Mahomes does with the football and could potentially create some indecision.

But the indecision can go both ways. As a linebacker, keeping track of where the football has gone can lead to some less-than-ideal split-second calls. Do you attack the line to help stop the run? Or do you drop into coverage to take away the pass?

"A lot of times it's putting that one guy who has responsibilities in the run and pass game [in a bind]," Dont'a Hightower said. "That's kind of what causes the confusion in the open spot, the blind spot, in a lot of those RPO looks . . .

"If you don't bite on [the handoff], then they're going to run the ball. That's the RPO. That's the doozy. That's the hard part about it."

Then the cat-and-mouse game could continue, though. If the corners on the outside have to give their assignments some breathing room, the Patriots defense could leave a linebacker in the middle of the field as a "rat" to take away any slants or crossers Mahomes is hoping to complete.

As Jerod Mayo explained it on Quick Slants this week, it might not be a bad idea for the Patriots to have two off-the-ball linebackers where one always plays the pass and one always drops back. The team will never have both in the right spot at the right time, but at least they'll have one. The linebacker dropping into the middle to play the pass, lurking in the middle of the field, might be considered a "rat."

 

[ChessToCheckers]

Well, we broke the Dolphins in week 4 and I think we are going to break the Chiefs on Sunday night. Granted we'll need a great game in all three phases, but their defense is suspect and we have plenty of film on their offense. And if it comes down to the wire, Andy Reid may mismanage the clock.

I'm certainly not afraid of these guys.

That said, it should make for great NFL football! Can't wait!

 

[Kontradiction]

Well, we broke the Dolphins in week 4 and I think we are going to break the Chiefs on Sunday night. Granted we'll need a great game in all three phases, but their defense is suspect and we have plenty of film on their offense. And if it comes down to the wire, Andy Reid may mismanage the clock.

I'm certainly not afraid of these guys and it's just a regular season game.

That said, it should make for great NFL football! Can't wait!

Be funny if the Pats are clapping them by 21 points and the Chiefs score a cosmetic TD and leave 2+ minutes on the clock for the Pats to run the score up. Brady can come out on the field and say, "Ahhh yes! I was wondering what would break first. Your spirit... or your body!"