Sweet Little SIXTEEN. Yes, for the 16th time the Patriots will play for the AFC Crown and the Lamar Hunt trophy. Eleven times they’ve won this – the first was back in 85’ when they squished Dan Marino and the Fish. The last time was my favourite. You remember that little contest way back in 2018 well 2019, when TB and company went into KC and broke the hearts and minds of any sane person in KC. I can still taste the tears, and hear David Andrews waving and yelling “ Bye See Ya “ to the crowd moments after Rex Burkhead scored in OT and sent them home to their hovels and meth pipes. But this time it’s Denver. The Broncos have been the Patriots kryptonite in the post season. 0-4. A Fat Zero and Four in Mile High in the post season, it’s sickening. I mean I can live losing to Elway and a Guyer Institute IV Dripped Peyton Manning, but Jake Plumber? Well you can be damn sure I’m not going to let the Pats lose to Jarrett “ Not on Game Day “ StidHam … Here are my Monster Keys to Patriots victory and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Hit the Mute Button
Make no mistake, Mile High is one of the loudest stadiums in football. How do you shut up a rabid fanbase? Get up first – get up by two scores. Drop the hammer on their fans. And help yourselves. Turn mile high into a church on Friday. crowd noise is a real issue, especially here.
Let’s beat this horse until it’s dead shall we.
We all know about the Broncos vaunted pass rush. How do you neutralise an all time great pass rush? Establish that run. Let the Pats O-Line get their feet under them and start this game off with a little “ulta-violence” in run blocking. Rhamondre Stevenson is in the zone – let’s keep him there. Use Westover as the lead back and pound into the Broncos your intentions. When they get into short yardage get Tonga Truck rolling and beat them into submission. Make them pay for stunts and stacked blitzes. I want Blood, Sweat, and Bronco Tears.
Stretch the Field Part One
Crack Toss – Jets Sweeps and RPO Action – we have to let Henderson and Kyle Williams have some fun Sunday don’t we? Get Henderson to the edge. Let Drake lead the way for some RPO deviousness. I need to see misdirection and a jet sweep with Mr. Williams getting to the edge and upfield – exhaust them. Stretch the field horizontally.
Gut Punch
Once Josh and Drake have the Broncos D on roller skates it’s time to hit them where it hurts. I need seam routes, I need crossers. Denver is weak over the middle, getting their linebackers into coverage and not going downhill is the key I’ve cut specifically for Drake. If Josh turns this key and gets the ball into Hunter Henry’s hands the chains will move, if the line can give him just 2.2 seconds that’s all Drake will need to exploit this weakness. This
Ride the wave
Sunday should be – should be – a huge game for Stevenson and Henderson catching balls out of the backfield. But man can not live by wheel routes alone. Keep the ocean in motion and let Diggs and Hollins ( yes he will be quite active on Sunday) surf down the field to victory. I need Drake to be hard throwing and sharp, the thin air of Denver will play tricks on touch passes.
Win the turnover battle – the Broncos with their #1 QB under center needed four turnovers to beat the Bills last week , take care of your ass and the W will follow.
Own third Down – Third down, fourth down – it’s paramount that the Pats convert this week. Denver is one of the best teams in the league at getting opponents off the field holding opponents under 36%. Early down success, getting into second and third and SHORT may determine if this key turns.
Own the Twilight Zone – For those of you new here the Twilight zone is between the 20 and 10 yard lines. The Pats are going to have to take shots at sixes from the twilight zone. When they are inside the five, use those legs, Drake.
Limit the Laundry – The Pats had three flags tossed at them in each of their last two games. This has been a great trend since week eight. This is going to be different playing on the road at mile high. Drake has yet to see a crowd this loud and hostile. The bright side is, the Broncos are dumber than dirt and average 7 a contest.
Special Teams – you guys were very special last week. I need it again.
Keep it Simple Stupid
Zak Kuhr and his band of mayhem need to live up to this moniker from the get go this week. Mix up the zone coverages and STONE WALL this Broncos rushing attack. This is an A and B gap team. (I’m salivating right now) Tonga – Barmore and Milt need to bring it on every down.
Do not get beat deep. Listen, I’m not Sean Payton, it’s not my job to pump Stid’s tires, but the man does have an arm. And he has weapons coming back to work with. It’s not just Sutton. Mimms has speed to burn – and keep a close eye and a hand on Evan Engram.
Stretch the Field Part Two
Second half shots . After Vance Joseph has adjusted to Drake and Josh’s first half shenanigans and are beaten down by the running of Rrrrrrhamondre it’s time to squash this fly. Joseph will be forced to dump his man defense and go single high, with the run game established deep shots both down the sideline and deep posts across the middle to Boutte and Douglas … No matter what he says. Maye needs a couple of quarters in the thin air to be ready to go deep.
Thats it my rabid readers, turn these keys and Sweet Sixteen turns into Twelve. Twelve Apostles , Twelve tribes of Israel , Twelve Rods of Moses , A Dozen from Dunks , Twelve trips to the Superbowl. Turn the keys and rewrite your own record.
As always you can follow / give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207s
