Listen Patriots Nation , it’s not THEEEE Rams but the rams. Since winning Super Bowl LVI at home in 2022 the master innovator Sean McVay has missed the playoffs with a 5-12 record and lost a wildcard game to the Lions who were making their first trip to the postseason since 1933 (that’s sarcasm ) and has his team sitting at 4-5 on this 2024 campaign. Going to show you only New England can sit atop of the mountain for decades. Yeah, you got a-ways to go Patty. Anyway let’s digress, here are my Monster Keys to beating the boys from LA-LA Land
Don’t Push Drive
For the first time this season the Patriots are, if not playing well, at least playing the same men on the offensive line. Ben Brown in the Middle flanked by Michael Jordan and Vederian Lowe to his left and Mike Onwenu Trey Jacobs on his right. This proved to be a good mix over the last five quarters of Patriots footballing. I’m expecting the coaching staff to go with this group again Sunday. The line needs to quickly identify that hat in front of them, This is not easy against this Rams front, and hold the point of attack, don’t overextend and push back. Drive out or in and open lanes for Stevenson. Drive them back behind the pocket, Set up play action.
Hot Read Time
The Rams like to overload the line and drop edges and linebackers into coverage. Good, hit the hot read. It’s more than a guessing game here but The Drake is going to have to figure out early who will drop and hit the hot read , also they like edges dropping into coverage. This should be where he motions Pop and BOURNE into the right spots, force the edges to twitch and give up their hand, hit the crossing routes and posts. When the edges do come and they will. It’s YAC city.
Screen Time
Shallows – Bubbles and Wheel Routes
As I said earlier, the Tackles Lowe and Jacobs are going to need to push the Rams edges Bradon Fiske and Kobie Turner back past Drake allowing him a clean read to his running backs and getting them involved in the passing game. Stretch the field horizontally with Drake’s arm not just the running backs legs. let them cook the second level.
Win the Turnover Battle – the rams are pretty stingy with the ball, but have put the ball on the carpet quite a bit as of late – three times last week in fact. Go get the extra possessions and convert them into points.
Limit the Laundry – The Rams are top ten in the league in not being stupid. The Pats are going to need to match this. Continuity on the line should help. Don’t play from behind the sticks on Sunday.
Flip the Field – New England got lucky last week. The Bears played with great field position all day. Matt Stafford is no rookie, give him the same starting drive points and this will be a long day in Foxboro.
Own Third Down – The Rams and Pats are converting on about the same level, 34%, But LA is losing ground over the past three weeks 28% and just 25% vs the Dolphins, while the Pats under Maye are having better Days.
Red Zone – The Rams were 0-3 inside the twenty last week, while as you know, the Pats were 1-5. Don’t settle this week .
Turn it up Bring the Noise
I’m Talking to you Mr White and Mr Wise , The Rams Line is banged up and i want to see Stafford Walking on his elbows by half.
No Shell Games , Cover One is the Shell in the Gun
This isn’t your older brother’s Rams offence. It’s slower and much less sexy than seasons past. Cover One Man and a bit of nickel is all you need to make Stafford shake. Cover one will let Covington load up the front and stop the LA running game. I’m not expecting Barmore back this week ( Ok I was wrong ) He ,Godchaux and company will have to take up space and let Dugger Ellis and Jennings be quick to the ball when the Rams are in run mode. Let Gonzo handle the X and bracket Nakua . use leverage and take away the middle of the field. force Stafford outside the numbers.
That’s it, my Rabid readers. The Pats have taken two of the last three. They have a boxers chance at three of four. Stick and Move or should I say move the sticks and score. Long drives are the goal here. Keep Stafford off the field and he can’t score on you.
As always you can follow / give me grief on Twitter also on Blue Sky @Tmurph207
