Patriots vs Da Bears .Takes me back to 1986. Most of you don’t remember that 46-10 Super Bowl XX beat down – At least i hope you are too young … I do. And yes it tasks me…it tasks me. I Love Chicago. Except for the nerve to call that thing a pizza, it’s a great town. The Sports fans are some of the best on the planet, the Jazz (yea Jazz), the Arts, Wrigley Field, and the Billy Goat tavern is truly amazing (Cheese Burger- Cheese Burger- Cheese Burger – how many of you got that reference?). That being said, I love beating Da Bears. 1986 seems like a million years ago and like yesterday. And it still bothers me that Ditka and his band of showboats beat down the Patriots the way they did in XX. It still bothers me that Ditka insulted Walter Payton the way he did. Yeah, I know, contradictory – but it’s my brain. So here are my Monster Keys to beating the Monsters of the midway.
Attack Mode
The bears are a zone heavy defence and cover three is their bread and butter. How do you break the spirit of a cover three defence? Run Verts – Bust Seams – Crisp Crossers.
Verts can be run on 2 x 2, 3 x 1 or even 3 x 2, AKA empty sets. Spread it out and sling it, these vert routes will force the safeties to choose between covering the deep or middle portion of the field. USE THORNTON and the Y to stretch the deep third defenders and let Pop Douglas and Hunter Henry chew up yardage up the seams, out routes and on crossers.
Post, Digs, Shallow Grave
Another cover three beater, attacking the middle of the field. AT DIFFERENT LAYERS (sorry to yell but Mayo – doesn’t hear me, he listens but he doesn’t hear). Get the Bears linebackers and strong safety to drop into coverage then use this concept to make up for the TOTAL LACK OF RUN BLOCKING on this team. Use the shallow portion of the field like you would the run game, this is where you get the RB involved – think the 49’ers in the days of Roger Craig. Get Gibson involved! PLEASE
Win the Turnover Battle – We saw last week what will happen when this key isn’t turned. take care of the ball this week Drake, One thing the bears do well is snatch extra possessions.
Own the Red Zone – The Pats are getting better and better in the red zone, scoring TDs at an 87% rate over the last three games. Chicago is convertying inside the 20 on 65% on the season. AKA running QB’s.
Limit the Laundry – 8 for 58 yards last week, with two of those handing the Titans first downs. “not good Bob”.
Flip the Field ….. Jones to the rescue ?
Own Third Down – The Pats were just 3 -11 last week. Chicago is 29th in the league converting on just 31% of their opportunities. Then again, the Titans were 32nd last week and are now 28th after hitting on 46%.
I get it, But do you
The bears are an awful run stopping team. Terrible, just terrible. The issue is, this may be the worst Patriots running team of all time. Yes, all time. But you can’t live on the pass alone….or can you (sly smile). If AVP feels the need to run at this team, get a fake FB/TE involved and run up between the Guard and Tackle. Get downhill !!! Expect another huge game from Maye,
To the Arcade
Yep , Quarters, Quarters, Quarters.
I love it, match quarters is the D to beat this week. Get gonzo on Odunze. Remember quarters is a zone match that plays like man to man. I want their number one weapon shut down, but I also want Williams confused. Heisman or not he’s still a rookie. Gonzo needs to keep his leverage and stay in Odunze’s back pocket. This will put a bit of extra on Mapu and Dugger but I think THIS WEEK they could do just fine. It’s going to come down to the Hook defender Tavai to keep the Bears RB in check out of the backfield. NOW The guys up front….
Contain
It’s not that difficult Mr. White. Stop running past the objective! SET AN EDGE. Again, good pad level up front and hold your gaps round people. Hit your own hole and keep Williams in front of you and hit your own hole, yes i said it twice because it needed to be said. Gap integrity is a way of life. do not allow Williams to escape contain. Put it on his arm…
Thats it my rabid readers , as always you can follow / give me grief on Xitter @Tmurph207
Your writing has a way of making even the most complex topics accessible and engaging. I’m constantly impressed by your ability to distill complicated concepts into easy-to-understand language.