If you don’t recognize the word Texacans then you either are new here or never watched the OG True Grit with John Wayne. I have not looked forward to a matchup with this team as much as i am in this divisional round since Tom Brady took their Lunch Money, their Bikes and their Lettermen’s Jackets in 2012. That arrogant bunch walked into Foxboro cocky as can be at 11-1 and limped out after a 42-14 drubbing at the hands of the greatest to ever play the game. Well im not going to predict this score i do see the Pats coming out on top and make it to the AFC championship vs who gives a damn. Here are my Monster Keys to Patriots victory.
Keep the Franchise Pretty
The Patriots offensive line has the unenviable task of protecting Drake Maye against one of the most ferocious pass rushes I’ve seen in 20 years. Easy Peasey Lemon Squeezy. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are so badass the Texacans rarely have to work with more than four rushing the passer. Fine Good Congrats. Combo blocks – Chips – Traps. This group has seen it all. The Big Sexys will have their hands full. Use their aggressiveness against them, push them off, out, and past the pocket. Let Drake step up into clean air and keep the passing lanes clear for him.
Uptempo –
I’m not asking for Josh to push the red button. But going uptempo makes it harder for this defense to get into a rhythm. Keep the personnel grouping you prefer on the field for as long as you can.
Play Action
Helping out the key above the Pats need to get the playaction game rolling. Run Rhamondre up through the B and C gaps. Get Henderson to the edges. Run right at Hunter and Anderson. I want them convinced every play is a run play. Big day for the Running Backs out of the backfield
Boot action and ZZ TOP
Drake has Legs, he knows how to use them. get the bootaction game rocking. Misdirection and boot will get Josh open looks in the flat and intermediate levels of the field. Use Flood to open up these spots and exploit their linebackers in coverage. Then take your shots downfield when Houston adjusts. POP, POP, POP, BOOM !!! Drake needs to pick his spots to be Drake ( Drake Maye ) Maye use those legs and move the chains.
Win the Turnover Battle – this key has been ignored , left hanging on the ring in the past few weeks, i understand competition is ramping up but you have to put the key in the lock before you can turn it. TAKE CARE OF THE ROCK, do not give them extra opportunities with short fields.
Own third Down – Houston is middle of the road when converting 39% . but they were 66% last week vs the Steelers. While the Pats were under their 43% season number converting on just 36% against a tough Chargers D .
Limit The Laundry – this is going to be a tough one. While the Pats are top five in the league at just five flags a game and just two a game over their last three contests presnap has me worried, the kids can’t move, can’t flinch. Not this Sunday. A lot to ask rookies facing these ends.
Own the Twilight Zone – The Pats are cruising 69% over the last three games, issue is they were 0-3 last week. I need bootlegs Josh, Nakie Bootlegs. Get me Sixes.
Live up to your name – Specials need to be extra special, No penalties, no missed tackles, no wide rights or wide lefts. Deft Snaps. Flip that field.
Pressure Cooker
Again the Patriots are going to need to turn up the heat this week, Stroud like most ( who aren’t Drake Maye) struggles vs pressure. I need stunts, I need corner blitzing, I need Patriots sitting ON stroud’s face. All damn day. I want him all hot and bothered, keep him guessing and he will turn the ball over.
Mass Confusion
Patriots DC Zak Kurh had the Chargers dizzy with his game plan last week. Let’s hope he has some more tricks in his bag. Because old friend Nick Caley started pouring over Patriots game film about two minutes after the final gun ( remember final guns ?) went off in Pittsburg. Mix up the coverages, get home early – get home from parts unknown , get them playing behind the chains, put Stroud into obvious passing situations. And reap those bennies.
Thats it my rabid readers, the Pats are going to have to use every key on this ring to come out on top. As I’ve said this Texacans defense is one of the best I’ve seen. And I’m old so I’ve seen them all. This is going to be an old fashioned Gen X rock fight, as always you can follow / give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207
