So today the Patriots head to Denver to play them on another short week, the third short week in the past five regular-season contests. Not being able to change that, the following is what the Patriots need to do in order to come out victorious.
SPECIAL TEAMS- Yes the Patriots cannot afford to have a bad showing on special teams. Like most fans I think I might have a heart attack if I see Cyrus Jones back to field a punt or kickoff today. In last year's regular-season loss against the Broncos we all recall Harpers muffed punt when the team was up 21-7 and how that truly affected the game and gave the Patriots their first loss of the season. If you think back to the postseason loss in Denver,you'll recall we also had some issues on special teams. The most obvious one was the missed extra point which made the Patriots have to go for two at the end of the game time trying to tie it up. While I would like to have perfect special teams, I think the team will be okay if they just avoid catastrophic turnovers.
BALANCED OFFENSE- The fact that the Patriots have both a running game (115.5 yards per game) and a passing game (290.2 yards per game) should be key for today. Last year in the postseason you might recall Brady had to heave up 56 passes because we had absolutely no running game in Denver. With this year's new and improved offensive line and their added ability to be able to handle a silent snap count should make for a different story. Additionally the Patriots will now be able to open up their playbook and make the Broncos defense have to make plays instead of just sitting back knowing that we're going to try and throw the ball every time. The balanced offence should also keep the chains moving. The last time we were in Denver we were 2 for 15 on third downs, On the season we are currently siting at 45% third down efficiency.
GOOD FINISH TO HALF- Last year in both Broncos games the Patriots made very curious decisions heading into the half. While the knee down with 32 second left to the half during the postseason game really wasn't that big of a deal the fact that we lost by 2, does make it a wasted opportunity. The really bad play-calling heading into the half happened during the regular season game. The Patriots got the ball back with two minutes and seven seconds left in the game and decided to run out the clock and put some points on the board. For those curious, at that point in the game the score was 14 to 7 with the Patriots ahead. Assuming the Patriots have the ball heading into the half, they should attempt to get some points on the board.
QUESTIONABLE COACHING- See above clock run-out situation for example one of the questionable coaching that the Patriots exhibited in Colorado. Example two occured in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship game where the Patriots decided to bypass a relatively easy field goal attempt for a first down and presumed attempt for a touchdown. Well, both times we were unsuccessful and ended up losing by 2 points. Yes, the Patriots were down by 8 when they keptGostkowski on the sideline. Hmmmm, I now wonder if not getting a chance to kick at the end of that game is what has truly messed with him this season.
GOOD FINISH TO HALF- Last year in both Broncos games the Patriots made very curious decisions heading into the half. While the knee down with 32 second left to the half during the postseason game really wasn't that big of a deal the fact that we lost by 2, does make it a wasted opportunity. The really bad play-calling heading into the half happened during the regular season game. The Patriots got the ball back with two minutes and seven seconds left in the game and decided to run out the clock and put some points on the board. For those curious, at that point in the game the score was 14 to 7 with the Patriots ahead. Assuming the Patriots have the ball heading into the half, they should attempt to get some points on the board.
QUESTIONABLE COACHING- See above clock run-out situation for example one of the questionable coaching that the Patriots exhibited in Colorado. Example two occured in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship game where the Patriots decided to bypass a relatively easy field goal attempt for a first down and presumed attempt for a touchdown. Well, both times we were unsuccessful and ended up losing by 2 points. Yes, the Patriots were down by 8 when they keptGostkowski on the sideline. Hmmmm, I now wonder if not getting a chance to kick at the end of that game is what has truly messed with him this season.
KEEP SANDERS AND THOMAS IN CHECK- Sanders and Thomas are the offense. If they are stopped, especially on 3rd down, it should be a great day for Matt Patricia's defense. Getting off the field quickly will make for a more rested defense at the end of the game.
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