On PFT Live today, Tom Curran from CSNNE talked about how the Patriots offense could be slowed: “Hit Gronkowski, hit Welker, hit Hernandez.” Curran stressed that keying on these Pats offensive weapons, together with getting quick pressure on Brady is the key. To break it down further, the game will become a series of line matchups, to see if “can Suggs beat Nate Solder, can Ngata beat Dan Connolly before Wes Welker comes out of his break.”
PFT Live host Mike Florio also commented on how if the Pats win this new-school offense vs old-school defense game, another similar challenge will be waiting in the Superbowl against a strong defensive team in the Giants or 49ers. Therefore, one of the most important storylines for the Pats playoff hopes is the health of the offensive line, which has used 9 different players over the course of the season.
A collection of thoughts from the TV copy:
- On the Patriots second drive, QB Tom Brady audibled to a running play when he saw S Eric Smith come down into the box instead of a linebacker. The blocks were good on the play, except for C Dan Connolly, who was beat and forced RB Stevan Ridley into the arms of defenders, for no gain.
- The touchdown run by QB Mark Sanchez was a nice offensive play call, which the split the Patriots out wide, and no linebackers or safeties were inside the hashmarks when Sanchez pulled it in to run.
- Jets TE Matthew Mulligan had an up and down performance in the first half, responsible for giving up two sacks, but also drawing the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on DL Vince Wilfork.
- In the Patriots first offensive series of the second half, on 3rd and 7, CB Darelle Revis was matched up on TE Rob Gronkowski, after spending the first half in coverage of WR Wes Welker. Brady targeted Rob on the play for an incompletion, but Welker looked open over the middle.
- On a 2nd and 11 inside the Jets red zone, Brady threw an incompletion aimed at Gronkowski, and Brady was remonstrating with Gronkowski after the play, about why he didn’t perform the correct wide receiver check - when a blitz comes, the route should be changed to a quick hitch, whereas Gronkowski kept running his original wheel route.
- LB Jerod Mayo submitted his ‘application’ for Patriots hit of the year with a big collison with RB Ladainian Tomlinson on a Jets fourth and long, stopping LT with a loud smack.
- I charted the Patriots with only three dropped passes in the game.
