After five weeks of inept offense inflicted upon the good people of Pats Nation. The Patriots have come to their Maye-culpa moment for. While I and others have preached from the onset of camp this year that Drake Maye would be the better quarterback, the Patriots brain trust had chosen to sit the very young man and let him “Learn.” I and others applauded this decision. Given the lack of beef to the offensive line’s burger, the lack of Bacon AKA high end talent in the “ Weapons Room “ and the simple fact that Maye has needed and will continue the need for seasoning having not played a ton of football in his life. Welp 1-4 will lay to waste the best laid plans of Chefs , Head Coaches and GM’s. They ( Mayo – Van Pelt – Wolf ) have seen enough to speed up the cooking process and toss Maye onto a plate for one of the best defences in the NFL. My Job is to cut these keys and get this KID off to a great start. Here are My Monster Keys to Patriots Victory.
Load the Weapons
Shotgun and Pistol are the weapons of choice this week, be it single or two running back sets. Get the run game going. Run at Texans Edge Will Anderson early and often , I want him to hesitate on every play and out of Drake’s face. allow the line to get their feet under themselves. force Houston to adjust to the RUN-Mondre and then make them pay for it with cuts and crossers over the middle of the field. Push Edwards and Anderson behind the pocket, give Maye room to step up and escape when needed.
SPACING
Gentleman Spacing is going to be the most important Key in the Patriots passing attack this weekend, too often over the first five weeks of this season have i seen multiple defenders surrounding Patriots receivers. Why ? there has been no spacing. We talk about separation. How about separation of levels AVP ? . Get these guys hitting on different levels of the field and give them room to work.
Tempo – mix up tempo Alex. If there was a week to turn this key this is it.
Limit the Laundry – Last week the Patriots handed Miami 105 yards and four first downs on Laundry.
Win The Turnover Battle – didn’t look like it, but turning this key is what kept it close.
Own Third Down – Tall task this week, Houston is converting on third down at a 42% clip . 50% last week. SET THE EDGE on D and let Drake use his feet to convert at a respectable rate.
Red Zone – Can you get there ? two empty trips last Sunday.
Flip the Field – Baringer is the still this team’s MVP
Man Up – Bring the Noise
With Nico Collins shelved the Patriots have the horses to play man all day long. ALL DAY LONG.. I want Stephon Diggs mom cursing Christian Gonzalez for not leaving her baby alone. Let the Joneses and company deal with Hank Dell , Xavier Hutchinson and get a body on Dalton Shultz PLEASE. Force Stroud to look outside, take away the middle of the field and you have a puncher’s chance.
Top Shelf
Time Of Possession – Last week the Dolphins held onto the ball for 34:20 , the week before the Niners had the ball for 31 minutes , The JETS ? 40:04 , you have to go all the way back to week two, you remember week two the last time this team looked smi- competent ? to see New England on the pulse side in TOP.
Thats it my rabid Readers , a small ring of keys for the Pats to use this week but im in keep it simple stupid mode with this crew. I’m losing faith in this coaching staff quickly. They don’t have this team prepared properly , they are making stupid in game decisions and even worse pregame gameplans. Turn these keys and go get a W.
As always you can follow / give me grief on Xitter @Tmurph207
