Just about every week since I started this blog I've said that the Patriots need to take care of the ball and be successful on 3rd downs. Last week I neglected to do that and we all know what happened. With that, I'll start off with saying that we need to avoid turnovers and hopefully cause a few. Taking care of business on 3rd down both offensively and defensively is also essential for a win today.
TACKLING- Th Patriots are usually great at tackling. Last week I wasn't very impressed. They weren't taking very good angles. They weren't swarming to the ball. They also weren't wrapping guys up once they got to them. If the Patriots get back to doing the little things right, they'll get off the field a lot faster.
KNOW THE OFFICIALS- Today's crew calls a lot of penalties. Knowing that, Gronk needs to make it impossible for them to make ridiculous offensive pass interference calls on him. The Steelers have never been able to stop him, so I don't expect them to stop him this week. In games against Pittsburgh with Gronk, the Patriots are 4-1. Gronk has caught 30 of 36 passes thrown in his direction. Eight of those receptions have been touchdowns. His average yards per reception, just a measly 16.53.
While there is likely going to be a lot of whistles today, Brady can not assume he is going to get holding calls and then just chuck it up for grabs. If it's holding towards the sideline, a pass that is uncatchable is fine, but he needs to make sure he isn't throwing into coverage or overlooking a wide open Cooks 30 yards downfield.
STAY CALM- The Steelers are not known for keeping their cool. They have 13 unnecessary roughness penalties (league average is 5.3). When they start to lose their cool, the Patriots need to do what they usually do and walk away.
BREAK OUT THE SPECTRACIDE- Even with a depleted defensive unit, Matt Patricia has undoubtably written up a gameplan to stop the killer bees. Assuming everyone does their job and field conditions don't impede them, I'm expecting the defense to give up some yards to Bell and Brown, but keep the scoring to under 20.
While there is likely going to be a lot of whistles today, Brady can not assume he is going to get holding calls and then just chuck it up for grabs. If it's holding towards the sideline, a pass that is uncatchable is fine, but he needs to make sure he isn't throwing into coverage or overlooking a wide open Cooks 30 yards downfield.
STAY CALM- The Steelers are not known for keeping their cool. They have 13 unnecessary roughness penalties (league average is 5.3). When they start to lose their cool, the Patriots need to do what they usually do and walk away.
BREAK OUT THE SPECTRACIDE- Even with a depleted defensive unit, Matt Patricia has undoubtably written up a gameplan to stop the killer bees. Assuming everyone does their job and field conditions don't impede them, I'm expecting the defense to give up some yards to Bell and Brown, but keep the scoring to under 20.
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