After suffering a loss which will be remembered forever, the Patriots are somehow still sitting atop the bubble of the AFC playoff picture. Will they still be there when Santa drops off his presents through some treacherous weather tonight? While I can't predict the outcome, here are some things I'll be watching for.
GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK- When it comes to getting to the quarterback, the Patriots are third in the NFL with 48 sacks. Leading the team is Matthew Judon with 14.5, Josh Uche with 10.5 and Deatrich Wise with 6.5. At this point in the season the team has garnered only 2 roughing the passer calls. Both of these penalties went against players not mentioned above. As a team, the Bengals have sacked opposing quarterbacks only 22 times (30th in the league). When it comes to roughing the quarterback, the Bengals have been penalized 3 times.
During today's game I suggest watching both quarterbacks when they are under pressure. Specifically, is a sack inevitable because a linebacker is coming in full speed and the quarterback has no chance, or would a step in one direction by the quarterback completely change the outcome of the play.
During today's game I suggest watching both quarterbacks when they are under pressure. Specifically, is a sack inevitable because a linebacker is coming in full speed and the quarterback has no chance, or would a step in one direction by the quarterback completely change the outcome of the play.
SIDELINE RECEPTIONS- I don't have any statistics to share with you, I just feel like the Patriots have struggled for years with sideline receptions. When it comes to the offense they very rarely have sideline completions. Either the ball sails out of bounds or the receiver still hasn't gotten used to their size 13 feet.
Defensively, it is another story completely. While the Patriots are awesome ball hawks and hold their own with pass breakups all over the field, the sideline pass is our kryptonite and has been for several years. While the rule for forcing a receiver out of bounds changed in 2008, I don't feel like the Patriots have adapted. Way too often opponents have come down with a desperation catch and managed to get their feet in, or close enough that the officials (on the field or replay) say that they are in. Since our cornerbacks are typically outsized by our opponents but have really good timing, it should be a no-brainer that we use the sideline to aid our defense by giving a little shove out of bounds.
Defensively, it is another story completely. While the Patriots are awesome ball hawks and hold their own with pass breakups all over the field, the sideline pass is our kryptonite and has been for several years. While the rule for forcing a receiver out of bounds changed in 2008, I don't feel like the Patriots have adapted. Way too often opponents have come down with a desperation catch and managed to get their feet in, or close enough that the officials (on the field or replay) say that they are in. Since our cornerbacks are typically outsized by our opponents but have really good timing, it should be a no-brainer that we use the sideline to aid our defense by giving a little shove out of bounds.
DEFENSIVE AND SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES- Over a month ago I looked at whether or not this year's Patriots team has won without a huge defensive or special teams play. The results were as you'd probably expect, no they do not. Last week it looked like that requirement for victory was still true, but then the game turned so we didn't win after all. Today, I know that the only way the Patriots are going to win is if we have a special teams or defensive touchdown. Additionally, we'll probably need another red zone turnover (could be on downs) by the Bengals. While Burrow has done a pretty solid of protecting the ball throughout his career, strip sacks may be slightly more likely with temperatures in the teens today.
EXTRA POINTS AND CHIP SHOTS NOT GUARANTEED- No Joe Cardona and Jake Bailey makes things a bit difficult for Nick Folk. Throw in some extra pressure, cold temperatures, and 13 mph wind and now it's an even tougher task.
FINISH- Have a Bengal in your grasp? He needs to be brought down. Have the ball on the goal line? It needs to cross over. Is a punt bounding towards the end zone? It needs to be downed on the one. Does Joe Burrow have an ill-advised or tipped ball? It needs to intercepted. You get the picture. We can't have another game of almost made plays.
EXTRA POINTS AND CHIP SHOTS NOT GUARANTEED- No Joe Cardona and Jake Bailey makes things a bit difficult for Nick Folk. Throw in some extra pressure, cold temperatures, and 13 mph wind and now it's an even tougher task.
FINISH- Have a Bengal in your grasp? He needs to be brought down. Have the ball on the goal line? It needs to cross over. Is a punt bounding towards the end zone? It needs to be downed on the one. Does Joe Burrow have an ill-advised or tipped ball? It needs to intercepted. You get the picture. We can't have another game of almost made plays.
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