kcbrown
Life is what we make it.
Pats Defense is ranked 8th overall in the NFL.
Passing defense is ranked 14th
Rushing defense is ranked 3rd (only behind the Ravens and the Cowboys).
Their defense is ranked 4th in the NFL in sacks (Dolphins are 7th).
The Pats only allow a league best 15.7 points per game which is the best in the NFL (Seattle is 2nd at 17.9).
Here is the Pats 2 deep....
Bellicheat has 4 former Rutgers players on is defense, all from the Greg Schiano era, including two starters in the back seven in Logan Ryan, and Devin McCourty. Duran Harmon is a back up free safety, while former Fin Freeny mans the MLB.
Starting from the DB's, the Pats have guys that are not super athletic, but smart guys, that make few mistakes, and that can tackle. Ryan is an aggressive CB, with solid technique. Butler has come into his own and can now be considered a top 5 CB in the NFL. Chung has always been solid against the Fins, and McCourty is a Pro Bowl level FS. Solid group overall, but one on one, none of these guys can stop DVP. Stills and even Landry will not break tackles against these guys.
Looking at the Pats linebackers, it's almost a night and day difference from what we have.
Jamie Collins is 6'3" 250lbs. Huge guy, solid tackler. Freeny, the former Fin is 6'2", 255lbs. Hightower is a massive 6'3" 255lbs. Bellicheat loves big linebackers and these guys are huge, can move, and are great against the run and the pass. Jay will have to bring his lunch Sunday as it will not be an easy task wearing these guys down. Their height is also good in their pass defense against opposing TE's. What Miami must do, is throw the ball to Drake and Williams out of the backfield. Their is no way a 260lb can cover a 220lb RB down field - this has to be one area to try to exploit.
When you look at the Pats D-line, I am not impressed, however, they get the job done. As mentioned above, these guys have more sacks than we do...this shocked me. I am not a Chris Long fan at all, however he has been solid. Alan Branch is huge at 6'6" 350LBS. Jabaal Sheard (a Ft. Lauderdale native) is in his prime right now and also playing well. The other DT is the feisty Malcolm Brown, who has also been having a solid - yet not spectacular year. Anthony Johnson (another former Fin) is a backup D-line player for the Pats...I am not sure how much he plays as I hate the Pats, and will not watch them if they are not playing the Fins.
Since we are playing at home, I think Jay will have the energy to run the ball. I don't think our offensive line will get much movement, but I think Jay will be able to move the ball, but it won't be in the 7 to 10 yard chunks he gets during his 200 yard games. He will not be able to run through the Pats 260lb LB's.
I think to win this game, we are going to need play action passes down field. This is the game where we need DVP to play his best game. Dion Sims will also be needed to keep the Pats LB's honest, he doesn't really have a side advantage, but he must make them aware that he is a pass catching threat. However, and as mentioned above, Matt Moore must throw it to Williams, Drake, and Ajayi out of the back field - this is a key match up - speed vs. the Pats size. Gase may even want to get Grant 2 or 3 touches this game via screen plays.
Honestly, since we are playing at home, I don't think these guys can stop us from moving the ball (thank you Gase) - however, the key is, will they stop us from scoring? Scoring TD's is going to be the key (as usual)....because I don't think we'll be able to stop their offense (even with Amendola ruled out).
Passing defense is ranked 14th
Rushing defense is ranked 3rd (only behind the Ravens and the Cowboys).
Their defense is ranked 4th in the NFL in sacks (Dolphins are 7th).
The Pats only allow a league best 15.7 points per game which is the best in the NFL (Seattle is 2nd at 17.9).
Here is the Pats 2 deep....
Starting from the DB's, the Pats have guys that are not super athletic, but smart guys, that make few mistakes, and that can tackle. Ryan is an aggressive CB, with solid technique. Butler has come into his own and can now be considered a top 5 CB in the NFL. Chung has always been solid against the Fins, and McCourty is a Pro Bowl level FS. Solid group overall, but one on one, none of these guys can stop DVP. Stills and even Landry will not break tackles against these guys.
Looking at the Pats linebackers, it's almost a night and day difference from what we have.
Jamie Collins is 6'3" 250lbs. Huge guy, solid tackler. Freeny, the former Fin is 6'2", 255lbs. Hightower is a massive 6'3" 255lbs. Bellicheat loves big linebackers and these guys are huge, can move, and are great against the run and the pass. Jay will have to bring his lunch Sunday as it will not be an easy task wearing these guys down. Their height is also good in their pass defense against opposing TE's. What Miami must do, is throw the ball to Drake and Williams out of the backfield. Their is no way a 260lb can cover a 220lb RB down field - this has to be one area to try to exploit.
When you look at the Pats D-line, I am not impressed, however, they get the job done. As mentioned above, these guys have more sacks than we do...this shocked me. I am not a Chris Long fan at all, however he has been solid. Alan Branch is huge at 6'6" 350LBS. Jabaal Sheard (a Ft. Lauderdale native) is in his prime right now and also playing well. The other DT is the feisty Malcolm Brown, who has also been having a solid - yet not spectacular year. Anthony Johnson (another former Fin) is a backup D-line player for the Pats...I am not sure how much he plays as I hate the Pats, and will not watch them if they are not playing the Fins.
Since we are playing at home, I think Jay will have the energy to run the ball. I don't think our offensive line will get much movement, but I think Jay will be able to move the ball, but it won't be in the 7 to 10 yard chunks he gets during his 200 yard games. He will not be able to run through the Pats 260lb LB's.
I think to win this game, we are going to need play action passes down field. This is the game where we need DVP to play his best game. Dion Sims will also be needed to keep the Pats LB's honest, he doesn't really have a side advantage, but he must make them aware that he is a pass catching threat. However, and as mentioned above, Matt Moore must throw it to Williams, Drake, and Ajayi out of the back field - this is a key match up - speed vs. the Pats size. Gase may even want to get Grant 2 or 3 touches this game via screen plays.
Honestly, since we are playing at home, I don't think these guys can stop us from moving the ball (thank you Gase) - however, the key is, will they stop us from scoring? Scoring TD's is going to be the key (as usual)....because I don't think we'll be able to stop their offense (even with Amendola ruled out).
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