Well folks, to quote the Greatest of all time, “I’m Pretty”. Okay now that we got that out of the way to honor the greatest head coach of all time, we are on to Cincinnati. Ja’Mar Chase is out this week like Ogie Ogathorp: suspended for being a douche when he spat on Jaylen Ramsey, caught on camera, yet still denying it took place. You would think like the Charlestown Chiefs, this news would make me happy. Nope, I was truly looking forward to what would have been an amazing battle between Chase and Christian Gonzalez. I just hope Joe Burrow makes his comeback this week as rumored so I don’t have to listen to the latest never ending news cycle of how easy the Patriots schedule is. But enough of my ranting. Here are my Monster Keys to Patriots victory.
Bring the House
Whether it’s Burrow or Flacco, the Patriots need to generate a consistent mind bending pass rush this week. The bungles live and die through the air. I want to see Zak Kuhr mix it up with cover two and four. I want to see him mix in 3-3 fronts with blitz packages coming from every and all angels. I’m not worried one bit about the Cincy running game, especially if Burrow is back. Bring the Heat from the get go.
It’s not the Size of the Boat it’s the Motion of the Ocean
Motion is the key to keep the bungles bungling. And Josh is just the man to do it. Get out of the bunches and get Drake’s weapons moving presnap. I want to see real and fake jet sweeps. Split out our running backs from the backfield and move tight ends into those spots. The more motion Cincinnati sees the better for Drake and his band of merry weapons.
A more even split
Cincy has the worst rush defense in the world, not just the NFL, THE WORLD. After a multi week absence, Rhamondre Stevenson is set to come back and TreVeyon Henderson is primed and ready with three very good outings under his belt. What I need to see is a more balanced usage of these two, this is not going to be easy as Stevenson is the type of back who builds up over the course of a game. I expect to see a heavy workload in the first half for a rested Rhomondre and Josh using Henderson more in the second half. Henderson’s pass catching out of the backfield should see an explosion Sunday.
The Weeklies
Win The turnover Battle – the Patriots are even on the season in Take Aways / Give Aways at 12 a piece on the season. To keep this season going as it has, the Pats need to step up their game.
Own The Late Dows – the Pats managed 7 of 13 conversions on third and fourth down last week vs the Jets. Last week, they also allowed gangrene a new set of downs on 8 of 14 3rd down attempts. Yeah, not good. Owning it comes on both sides of the ball.
Limit the Laundry – this key has been turned more and more during the season, just two flags Thursday vs the Jets for 20 yards, keep up the good work – Mom’s proud.
Own The Red Zone – I’m at my wits end here people. The Patriots are 31st in Red Zone defense on the season. That wasn’t thunder, it was my head exploding.
Get Ready for 12
I can see the Bungles trying to take advantage of the Pats banged up defensive line and getting into 12 personnel to try and run the ball. Also, let’s face facts – The Pats can’t cover tight ends.
Can you Diggs That Boutte
After establishing that run, I expect to see a ton of play and boot action. Get Kayshon and Stephon into YAC mode. While the bungles are a mess everywhere, the middle of the field is where they are most vulnerable. Attack the body, the head will follow.
That’s it my rabid readers. I could get deeper into how to exploit this Bengals defense, but it’s the worst in the league. You can run on this team, you can pass on this team and when I say you, I mean you reading this column. They are the worst defense going all the way back to the 1979 Niner’s. That’s a long time ago in a NFL Far Far Away. I want to thank you all for coming back here week after week, and wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving.
As always you can follow / give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207
