How bout those Patriots ? That’s a loaded question. Rhamondre Stevenson was more than a tad bit Fantastic Sunday. Jacoby Brissett was a tad bit efficient Sunday , The O-line was a tad bit shall we say aided on Sunday ? While the defense was a tad bit opportunistic in week one. This effort was enough to win Sunday. Not to be Debbie downer, But It won’t be enough to win week in and week out., it’s just true. It may not be enough to win Sunday in the Pats home opener. Alex Van Pelt is going to need to be more diverse, Jacoby Brissett is going to need to be more alert ( we will get to this ) and the Pats are going to have to put more sixes on the board. Here are my Monster Keys to Patriots victory.
Up the Gut
Outside Zone stretch plays are not going to get’er done this week against Mike Macdonalds defence. If Speed kills this Seahawks defence is Dexter. There are fast downhill playmakers at every level of this unit. And there may not be a more physical set of corners in the league. Set up play action by again bullying the interior of the defensive line. I’m not saying abandon the edges but let’s avoid trying to push that issue.
More Pop More Better
Pop Douglas was almost ignored last Sunday, was that the plan ? I don’t think so. Brissett went with option one almost all day. There simply wasn’t enough time to go through his progressions. This week Pop and Polk need to be more involved; they need to be option one and one A on sunday. Hit them quick, hit them covered, let them make contested catches and get YAC , But Jacoby ignored opportunities and missed open receivers on more than a few occasions.
Stretch the Field
While the play out of halftime to Tyquan Thornton last week didn’t make the highlight reel it did serve a purpose. It forced the Bengals to respect the deep ball. Let Thornton and Osborn open up the first and second levels of the field for the speedsters. Clear out space for all the tight ends. Hell maybe Wallace will catch a ball and fall forward to move the chains. God knows he can’t block.
Sell Out
Stopping the Seattle run game is priority number one for Demarcus covington and company this week. I know that’s crazy to say out loud with a set of wideouts that include DK Metcalf , Jackson Smith – Njigba ( say that three times fast ) and the forever sneaky dangerous Tyler Lockett but you all know me, I speak the truth. Do Not let Kenneth Walker III beat you. Walker ran for 103 last week and a TD. On 20 carries. Even if you take out the one 23 yard run he had, it’s still a mighty impressive number. I know Brian Belichick will have his DBs ready for the aforementioned WR corps , The trench is where the game will be won. For christ sakes set the god damn edge. Yes I’m talking to you Mr White. There’s more to replacing Judon than getting to the passer. I love Keion relax
The weeklies
Limit the laundry. No playing behind the chains please
Win The turnover Battle – this will not be as easy as it was last week
Own Third Down – New England did a good but not great job moving the chains on third down last week, this week less than 50% won’t be enough.
Own the Red Zone – one of four trips ? yea the look on my face isn’t a happy one . Sixes not threes …. Force Seattle to settle
Flip the Field – Patriots punter Bryce Barringer was great last week i expect to see nothing less on Sunday
That’s it my rabid readers. Week twos keys are cut and on the ring. Last week every key i cut was turned. And yet the Patriots still only managed 16 points. They didn’t turn the ball over. They didn’t kill themselves with penalties and yet they put up the same number on the scoreboard they averaged last season. Sixteen won’t get’er done Sunday. As always you can follow/give me grief on Twitter at @Tmutph207
