Do you, like myself, miss the days when this rivalry Pats vs Colts meant something ? I know I do. Seems like days of yore when Brady Manning would square off twice a year, the first meeting for home field when the calendar turned to January. 17 times these two squared off in the regular season, Brady finished on top 8-4 in the NE Indy match ups and 11-6 in total. Five times these two met in the playoffs , Manning taking those matchups 3-2 that’s including his time in Denver. That sigh you heard was me fondly remembering the good old days. No, we aren’t going to talk about Andrew Luck here. This is a hall of fame opening. But those days like the Guyer Clinic are long gone. We are here to hopefully usher in a new era of Pats Colts, one in the future I’m hoping is for more than draft position. Here are my Monster Keys to Patriots victory
Spies Like Us
Great movie and a good play this week against one of the most athletically gifted QBs to enter the league in this decade. I really like a spy, but a big part is just having disciplined rush lanes to either keep the QB contained in the pocket or flush him to scramble into the boundary or towards his off hand. Another thing you can do is to run layered 4 man pressure where the initial 3 down rush the QB and get him to step up in the pocket to scramble, only for your “ Longhorn ” to blitz a second or two late once the pass protection’s created lanes for him to run through. Honestly, dropping 8 in zone and only rushing with 3 has been a fairly good strategy for a super mobile QB in my experience, so long as you can work on a coverage rotation when he scrambles with a 4th rusher reading and triggering late.
Jonathan – Jonathan – Jonathan
No this isn’t a review of the OG Classic Rollerball but Jonathan T is every bit the threat that Jonathan E was back in 1975. The one time pro bowl running back is averaging just below four and a half yards per carry and Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter ( I’m sorry I’m laughing ) has to be licking his lips at the thought of unleashing this monster against a team that is giving up 123 YPG to opponents. Shed your blocks – Set the edges and put it on Richardson’s arm.
Win the Turnover Battle – Drake has to start taking better care with the ball , Two hands on the ball bud TWO HANDS. The INTs are going to happen but for the most part putting the ball on the carpet that’s on you.
Own Third Down – the Colts are converting an abysmal 36% rate, This is a turnable key, or is it ? The Pats are converting just 34% on third. Sustain those drives move the chains kids.
Limit the Laundry – Again can we stop making it 3rd and 15 ? can we line up right and NOT MOVE.
Own Red Zone – Force the Colts to settle , PLEASE. This team is not set up to chase. Go get sixes.
Flip the Field – I’m at a loss here.
Hit the Bunnies
One of the big knocks on Drake Maye coming out was his scattershot short game. Too often over the last three weeks has this ugliness shown itself. Play catch son, that’s all i’m asking you to do.
Moonshine
Who runs moonshine ? Bootleggers that’s who , get into 12 personnel and the Drake rolling out . bootleg action is the prescription for a W come Sunday. Let Drake use his legs and the threat of Rhamondre and MR GIBSON , all caps for a reason. Gibson needs more touches. And setting up this boot action is a place to get him those. This should also help Drake find targets over the middle. Attack the seams attack the intermediate portion of the field. Attack this cover three zone.
