Last week the Patriots likely could have had an easy win if McDaniels committed to the run early in the red zone. He didn't and the Patriots ended up leaving 10 points on the board. Assuming the Patriots have possessions inside the red zone, the task of getting into the end zone against the Panthers has proven to be pretty easy for their competition thus far. Eight games into the season the Panthers have given up touchdowns on 73.8% of trips inside the 20.
RED ZONE KEYS- Don't worry about certain players statistics or first touchdowns, maximize scoring opportunities. Running out of shotgun when the ball is on the one yard line is just a bad call. So is trying to throw a touchdowns pass. Didn't we learn anything from Butler's pick?
TURNOVERS- While the Patriots are getting better in that department, they still need to focus on it. Unless you are going for it on 4th down or it's the absolute last play of the half, do not put an extra yard above protecting the ball. Carolina likes to turnover the ball. Sam Darnold likes to throw interceptions to the Patriots (6 in his career). PJ Walker likes to throw interceptions (5 in 71 dropbacks). The Patriots should win the turnover battle today. A good way to do that is to protect the ball and avoid throwing towards our old friend Gilmore.
TURNOVERS- While the Patriots are getting better in that department, they still need to focus on it. Unless you are going for it on 4th down or it's the absolute last play of the half, do not put an extra yard above protecting the ball. Carolina likes to turnover the ball. Sam Darnold likes to throw interceptions to the Patriots (6 in his career). PJ Walker likes to throw interceptions (5 in 71 dropbacks). The Patriots should win the turnover battle today. A good way to do that is to protect the ball and avoid throwing towards our old friend Gilmore.
PENALTIES- The Patriots have improved in regards to having penalties. Initially one of the most penalized teams early in the season, they are slowly moving their way back into their typical position. Their biggest improvement has come in avoiding too many pre-snap penalties (ranked 8th with 13). Offensively they still need to stop jumping early. Carolina is not trending upward with their penalty issues. They are one of the worst teams when it comes to being penalized, especially with pre-snap penalties (ranked 28th with 21). The penalty the Patriots need to really eliminate from their repertoire is the dumb holding penalties. It's one thing to hold a player as a desperation move to prevent your quarterback from being hit on a passing play, it's another thing to hold on a running play and then take a 30 yard gain off the board.
SAVOR TIMEOUTS- Timeouts almost became an issue for the Patriots last week. Personally, I think it was a bit of a fluke for once and not due to personnel not knowing their roles. We lost one because the referees neglected to call anything when Mac was hit after the whistle and we lost one when Bill challenged the holding in the end zone. While some people didn't like the challenge, I was fine with it. He had to make the call quickly and the payoff would have been huge.
DO YOUR JOB ON DEFENSE- I am 100% confident that whatever our defensive plan is, whether or not Darnold or McCaffrey play, it shouldn't matter. What it is really going to come down to is execution of the plans. Play until the whistle blows and don't get caught trying to make a play that isn't there. While interceptions are terrific, not getting burnt on 3rd down is even better. Last week the defense struggled a bit with making their tackles. I'm sure it was a point of emphasis this week.
FANTASY SIDE NOTE- As someone who has both the Patriots and Panthers defenses on their fanstasy team, I'm going to take one for the team and start the Panthers. The last time I started them they played the Cowboys..........you are all welcome.
SAVOR TIMEOUTS- Timeouts almost became an issue for the Patriots last week. Personally, I think it was a bit of a fluke for once and not due to personnel not knowing their roles. We lost one because the referees neglected to call anything when Mac was hit after the whistle and we lost one when Bill challenged the holding in the end zone. While some people didn't like the challenge, I was fine with it. He had to make the call quickly and the payoff would have been huge.
DO YOUR JOB ON DEFENSE- I am 100% confident that whatever our defensive plan is, whether or not Darnold or McCaffrey play, it shouldn't matter. What it is really going to come down to is execution of the plans. Play until the whistle blows and don't get caught trying to make a play that isn't there. While interceptions are terrific, not getting burnt on 3rd down is even better. Last week the defense struggled a bit with making their tackles. I'm sure it was a point of emphasis this week.
FANTASY SIDE NOTE- As someone who has both the Patriots and Panthers defenses on their fanstasy team, I'm going to take one for the team and start the Panthers. The last time I started them they played the Cowboys..........you are all welcome.
RSS Feed
