Just when teams were focused on Brady...

[ColdBlueNorth]

The Patriots pick up a bruising running back and go all down your throat against teams when everyone has been loading up on defensive backs and safeties and lighter linebackers who can cover athletic TEs to stop Brady from spreading it around. Always feels like the league is one step behind these clowns.

 

They dabbled using that against us 2 seasons ago and made Wannstedt look like a more complete idiot than he was when he loaded up the box with defensive backs and safeties to stop the short pass and they plowed over our guys with off tackle runs... hard to forget how helpless and hapless the Bill's defense looked that day.

 

They dusted it off again right in time for the post season and they are going to be very difficult to beat.

 

As sick as it makes me feel, Belicheat will likely end up with another ring out of this if Blount can stay healthy and folks cannot figure out a plan B to stop their offense.

Edited January 12, 2014 by ColdBlueNorth

[boyst]

I'd like to add their OL has really performed well. Not sitting back on their laurels every play to protect the pass has helped them defeat the DL by using the run drive blocks to wear them out. OL who constantly have to pass block often times wear out a lot faster. The Pats have really done something special the last 5 weeks of play. I can easily see them riding these RBs to the big show.

 

Ridley and blount are both FA IIRC and they also have Spikes and Edleman up for contract, too

[26CornerBlitz]

Blount Force Trauma! Ask the Bills about it.

[YoloinOhio]

The Patriots pick up a bruising running back and go all down your throat against teams when everyone has been loading up on defensive backs and safeties and lighter linebackers who can cover athletic TEs to stop Brady from spreading it around. Always feels like the league is one step behind these clowns.

 

They dabbled using that against us 2 seasons ago and made Wannstedt look like a more complete idiot than he was when he loaded up the box with defensive backs and safeties to stop the short pass and they plowed over our guys with off tackle runs... hard to forget how helpless and hapless the Bill's defense looked that day.

 

They dusted it off again right in time for the post season and they are going to be very difficult to beat.

 

As sick as it makes me feel, Belicheat will likely end up with another ring out of this if Blount can stay healthy and folks cannot figure out a plan B to stop their offense.

I think one of the reasons Blount did get so many yards is because they focused so much on Brady. Take Pats out of Foxboro and maybe in the SB against a good D I think both Brady and Blount could be contained without any real WR threats. I do not think Denver's D could stop Blount. Maybe SD, but think they would struggle with Brady.

[stinky finger]

A. B.N. E.................and I mean anybody!

[Rob's House]

The Patriots have something they haven't had since they last won the SB: A power running game. A couple of years ago Teddy Brewski said he didn't think the Pats* had the juice to go the distance because they lacked a power back like Corey Dillon or Antowain Smiff. The one constant that hasn't changed over the course of Brady's career is the NE O-line is always one of the top 5 or so units in the league. Now they have a nice stable of big backs to run behind them.

 

During the SB years Brady was the epitome of game manager (with the possible exception of the season of their 3rd SB which was the year he emerged as the focal point of the offense). This year they've not only leaned on the power running game, but they've also fielded a better defense than they have in some time despite key losses. The irony here is that in what looked to be a rebuild year for the Pats they're probably better equipped to make a SB run than anytime in the last ten years with the possible exception of 2007.

Edited January 12, 2014 by Rob's House

[CardinalScotts]

The Patriots pick up a bruising running back and go all down your throat against teams when everyone has been loading up on defensive backs and safeties and lighter linebackers who can cover athletic TEs to stop Brady from spreading it around. Always feels like the league is one step behind these clowns.

 

They dabbled using that against us 2 seasons ago and made Wannstedt look like a more complete idiot than he was when he loaded up the box with defensive backs and safeties to stop the short pass and they plowed over our guys with off tackle runs... hard to forget how helpless and hapless the Bill's defense looked that day.

 

They dusted it off again right in time for the post season and they are going to be very difficult to beat.

 

As sick as it makes me feel, Belicheat will likely end up with another ring out of this if Blount can stay healthy and folks cannot figure out a plan B to stop their offense.

physical line crappy weather, just makes sense- Brady hasnt broken 200 yds in three games its been the same receipe. Another ring sounds like he's won the last 2 or something - have won in 9 years since the cheating thing that was "no big advantage" right which is why they did it three more times atleast after being told knock it off. You do things like when you feel it doesnt help you

[Gray Beard]

Brady has always had the benefit of possesion receivers to rely on. Edelman, Amendola this year. Welker, Gronk and Hernandez in the past. Rarely does he pass the ball more than 10 or 15 yards.

In yesterday's game, Luck kept the game close for a while with the benefit of a few huge plays. That won't beat a team that can mix ground and pound with possesion receivers.

[MattM]

I'd like to add their OL has really performed well. Not sitting back on their laurels every play to protect the pass has helped them defeat the DL by using the run drive blocks to wear them out. OL who constantly have to pass block often times wear out a lot faster. The Pats have really done something special the last 5 weeks of play. I can easily see them riding these RBs to the big show.

 

Ridley and blount are both FA IIRC and they also have Spikes and Edleman up for contract, too

 

And Talib, their best corner. Their other corner, Dennard, meanwhile, should have been suspended for his legal troubles, but not surprisingly, considering who he plays for, that seems to have been swept under the rug this year.....

[mrags]

I think the Pats are one step ahead of the field again as well. They dictate to the rest of the league how to play them, then they switch it up to their favor. They are very transformable in their offense and how they play.

 

However, of the 3 teams remaining in the NFC, they would have a HUGE issue trying to dictate how the game goes. The NFC teams and defenses are just superior in every way. They are bigger and more physical than the Pats or any of the ad creams remaining.

 

And that's to say that the Pats can even go into Denver and beat the Colts. Or take on the Chargers as well.

 

Of course I don't want to see it happening, but I don't expect them to be in the big game anyway. But I'm sure The Hoody has something left we haven't seen yet for the final playoff game.

[boyst]

And Talib, their best corner. Their other corner, Dennard, meanwhile, should have been suspended for his legal troubles, but not surprisingly, considering who he plays for, that seems to have been swept under the rug this year.....

Talib really is a misnomer to me. He was average to slightly above mediocre almost all of his career and gets to NE and lights it up turning in top performances week in and week out and doing it without much fanfare or love. Very under appreciated. His skillset is matched by his fundamental play, keeping himself in good position and playing a very physical game. I did not expect anything at all of his skillset to match the Patriots defense but looking back on it I forgot how easy it is for Pats DB's to get away with very physical play. Talib played very tough against top WR's and was very effective at shutting them down at the LOS before the WR would release.

 

Conversely, A. Cromartie went a different route. When I figured he would continue to be above average they had him drop off the line and play piss poor defense getting beat like rug. He couldn't keep up with his speed dropping off, he didn't make the right turns with his hips, and he played entire games catching up to his man. Cromartie needed to be at the LOS to jam his targets.

 

I wonder if Cro could get released. We have Robey, but Cro could make a tremendous nickel back in the right system (ours).

 

I think the Pats are one step ahead of the field again as well. They dictate to the rest of the league how to play them, then they switch it up to their favor. They are very transformable in their offense and how they play.

 

However, of the 3 teams remaining in the NFC, they would have a HUGE issue trying to dictate how the game goes. The NFC teams and defenses are just superior in every way. They are bigger and more physical than the Pats or any of the ad creams remaining.

 

And that's to say that the Pats can even go into Denver and beat the Colts. Or take on the Chargers as well.

 

Of course I don't want to see it happening, but I don't expect them to be in the big game anyway. But I'm sure The Hoody has something left we haven't seen yet for the final playoff game.

Maybe it is like I have said a few times, the RB is going to make a comeback soon. The big bruiser back is going to tear up defenses because they've gotten so small and so quick. Our DL is a prime example. We don't have fat men just sitting there like we once did - Ted Washington, Sam Adams and Pat Williams. Instead we have rushing DL that get blown up on run blocks and driven apart by the dive blockers.

 

I think you may be right, I think it may be here already - the turning of the game back in to the running game. Even thinking of current LB's in the league, few are good against the run. I heard Poz called one of the best LB's against the run this year by a broadcaster. That's scary. Ray Lewis needs to come back and slap some of these guys in the head, because if it does break open like I think then I am all for going RB before round 3. Lets see how the rest of the post season plays out.

[littlelouie]

ColdBlueNorth - Belichick always stays one step ahead of the other teams, especially the ones in his division. He knows you have to win division games if you want to make the post season. He knows the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins are trying to build their teams to beat the Pats. No one could stop Brady so the other teams started to build their teams to stop the pass. So what does old Billy do, he changes them from a passing team to a running team. He brings in good backs like Blount and Riddley and runs all over his competitors. The rest of the division build their teams to stop the pass and now he is running all over them. Now they will all have to start over and go into another rebuild to stop the run. Then you know what he is going to do? He will go out and get recievers and go back to being a passing team. He will always stay a step ahead. He's just too smart.

[Smears]

I dont even care, half of these fair weather fans of the Patriots dont even know who was quarterback before Bledsoe. Once this regime ends ( Brady and Belecheck) you will not see or hear from these Pretend fans for awhile. You know Im right.

[mrags]

Talib really is a misnomer to me. He was average to slightly above mediocre almost all of his career and gets to NE and lights it up turning in top performances week in and week out and doing it without much fanfare or love. Very under appreciated. His skillset is matched by his fundamental play, keeping himself in good position and playing a very physical game. I did not expect anything at all of his skillset to match the Patriots defense but looking back on it I forgot how easy it is for Pats DB's to get away with very physical play. Talib played very tough against top WR's and was very effective at shutting them down at the LOS before the WR would release.

 

Conversely, A. Cromartie went a different route. When I figured he would continue to be above average they had him drop off the line and play piss poor defense getting beat like rug. He couldn't keep up with his speed dropping off, he didn't make the right turns with his hips, and he played entire games catching up to his man. Cromartie needed to be at the LOS to jam his targets.

 

I wonder if Cro could get released. We have Robey, but Cro could make a tremendous nickel back in the right system (ours).

 

Maybe it is like I have said a few times, the RB is going to make a comeback soon. The big bruiser back is going to tear up defenses because they've gotten so small and so quick. Our DL is a prime example. We don't have fat men just sitting there like we once did - Ted Washington, Sam Adams and Pat Williams. Instead we have rushing DL that get blown up on run blocks and driven apart by the dive blockers.

 

I think you may be right, I think it may be here already - the turning of the game back in to the running game. Even thinking of current LB's in the league, few are good against the run. I heard Poz called one of the best LB's against the run this year by a broadcaster. That's scary. Ray Lewis needs to come back and slap some of these guys in the head, because if it does break open like I think then I am all for going RB before round 3. Lets see how the rest of the post season plays out.

i agree 100% JBoyst. The league is never ending change and using history as it's proof.

 

The fact is, in the cold, snowy, and ever so brutal playoff time, there are a few things that always ring true.

1. Defenses and run games ALWAYS TRAVEL WELL!!!

 

2. Be bigger and more physical than the opposing team.

 

The few examples of the quick "no huddle" "greatest show on turf" always seem to be upset by superior defenses. Sure the Rams won one SuperBowl, but then lost the following year to the Pats and their dominating defense.

 

Off the top of my head, here's a few examples where the better defense for the upper hand

-Giants over Bills

-Redskins over Bills

-Steelers over Dallas

-Packers over Pats

-Ravens over Giants

-Bucs over Raiders

-Pats over Rams

-Pats over Panthers

-Giants over Pats x2

-Steelers over Seahawks

-Steelers over Cardinals

-Ravens over 49ers

 

Those are just off the top of my head. I'm site there's many more. That doesn't mean that the defensive teams that won had Dominating defenses, just that their defense was better than the opposing teams offense. Or at least that Defense wins championships is more correct than people want to admit.

 

I'd assume that the running games coincide with the same as well. Looking at that and the late 90s Denver Championships ring a bell. Terrell Davis was huge in those wins. Same with the Steelers with Jerome Bettis and the Ravens as well.

 

 

ColdBlueNorth - Belichick always stays one step ahead of the other teams, especially the ones in his division. He knows you have to win division games if you want to make the post season. He knows the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins are trying to build their teams to beat the Pats. No one could stop Brady so the other teams started to build their teams to stop the pass. So what does old Billy do, he changes them from a passing team to a running team. He brings in good backs like Blount and Riddley and runs all over his competitors. The rest of the division build their teams to stop the pass and now he is running all over them. Now they will all have to start over and go into another rebuild to stop the run. Then you know what he is going to do? He will go out and get recievers and go back to being a passing team. He will always stay a step ahead. He's just too smart.

well, this I disagree with. It might not be the fact that Billy is so smart. It could be that his offensive line is horrible at protecting Brady lately. It could be that Brady is getting old and can't do it like he used to. It could be that Hernandez was arrested for murder and Gronk is a porn star banging idiot that can't keep his body healthy because he's out partying too much to get healthy and stay healthy. Or that he just happens to have a few young stud RBs that are the healthiest part of his team right now. His WRs are the worst that Brady has ever had and it shows.

 

Now that's not to say that Bellichek isn't learning from this experience and uses it going forward, but I highly doubt it was his plan the whole time. The situation dictated Billy.

[littlelouie]

Smears _ realistically, down deep you don't even believe what you say. But I can see how you would grasp at straws and want to believe it . Getting completely dominated by another team for a decade and a half has to make you feel totally frustrated and helpless. Do you realize high school seniors were still in diapers the last time the Bills could compete with the Patriots?? They weren't even in kindergarten yet. Man that's a LONG, LONG, LONG time!

[mrags]

I dont even care, half of these fair weather fans of the Patriots dont even know who was quarterback before Bledsoe. Once this regime ends ( Brady and Belecheck) you will not see or hear from these Pretend fans for awhile. You know Im right.

this is true x1,000,000. It's not even funny how fair weather the Pats fans are. You said half of them don't remember who the QB was before Bledsoe??? Haha, I bet at least 30% don't even remember Bledsoe.

 

Your right, when Brady retires, the Pats will be one of the biggest jokes in the league. From a decade or more of being at the top to being one of the lessor teams fighting for mediocracy.

[hondo in seattle]

I'd like to add their OL has really performed well. Not sitting back on their laurels every play to protect the pass has helped them defeat the DL by using the run drive blocks to wear them out. OL who constantly have to pass block often times wear out a lot faster. The Pats have really done something special the last 5 weeks of play. I can easily see them riding these RBs to the big show.

 

Ridley and blount are both FA IIRC and they also have Spikes and Edleman up for contract, too

 

+1

 

I wish our OL could open holes like the Pats line has been opening recently.

[mrags]

Smears _ realistically, down deep you don't even believe what you say. But I can see how you would grasp at straws and want to believe it . Getting completely dominated by another team for a decade and a half has to make you feel totally frustrated and helpless. Do you realize high school seniors were still in diapers the last time the Bills could compete with the Patriots?? They weren't even in kindergarten yet. Man that's a LONG, LONG, LONG time!

sot down and talk to a Pats fan and you'll understand. I sit with them at almost every Bills home game against them and they are idiots.

[littlelouie]

MrRags - In your list of defenses that dominated you listed the Giants over the Bills. Do you know who the mastermind of that defense was?? None other than Bill Belichick. He was Parcel's defensive coordinator and he's the one who came out with the two man line to stop the no huddle. The guy was genious because the Bills were a hundred times better than the Giants in 1990. They Bills had 11 pro bowlers and the Giants were playing with their 2nd string quarterback. If Belichick didn't come out with that two man line the Bills would have blown NY out of the stadium, 52 to 21. The Bills had that much more talent.

Edited January 12, 2014 by littlelouie

[mrags]

MrRags - In your list of defenses that dominated you listed the Giants over the Bills. Do you know who the mastermind of that defense was?? None other than Bill Belichick. He was Parcel's defensive coordinator and he's the one who came out with the two man line to stop the no huddle. The guy was genious because the Bills were a hundred times better than the Giants in 1990. They Bills had 11 pro bowlers and the Giants were playing with their 2nd string quarterback. If Belichick didn't come out with that two man line the Bills would have blown NY out of the stadium, 52 to 21.

yes. I'm completely aware that Billy B was their DC.

 

I'm not sure what your point is. That BB is a genius? Well, if that's the case, why was he horrible with the Browns? Why was he mediocre until Brady?

 

Again, not sure of your argument. Or if your just pointing out fact. But I was simply stating that Defenses always win more Championships than superior offenses. And Defenses and Ground and Pound running games always travel well and play well in the conditions. Passing games and quick offenses (although cute) don't generally win in those cases.

Edited January 12, 2014 by mrags