1-on-1 Battles

The Patriots come home to The Razor, Gillette Stadium, to host the vastly underrated Arizona Cardinals.  Arizona has shown a history of being solid defensively, especially in the red zone (ranked 3rd).  Likewise, Bill Belichick lauded Patrick Peterson individually as an interception return threat.  The Patriots Offensive Line will be the biggest key in sustaining solid drives by winning one-on-one battles with LB Daryl Washington. So, I see the game breaking down like this:

1. Logan Mankins vs. Daryl Washington - The Ridley train can't ride if the Mike-LB gets to the play. Washington had 10 tackles and 1 sack against Seattle, so this matchup works in pass protection as well.  

The tackles have tough assignments with Campbell and Dockett, but 1 or 2 sacks per game is understandable, especially when Brady takes a sack to protect the possession of the ball.  So the next key to the game has to involve the turnover ratio.

2. Devin McCourty vs Larry Fitzgerald - I have gone on record saying that DMc needs major help with Fitz, and I think that there should be a higher percentage of snaps in the "sub defense." Still, Belichick might even pull a switch-a-roo and put Dowling or Arrington on Fitzgerald to maximize McCourty on the other side. If he is on Fitz, McCourty will be left on an island once or twice, and he will need to survive those plays without giving up explosive plays or missing tackles.  Likewise, the Skelton/Kolb may try to force it to a double covered Fitz, and I am looking for McCourty to take advantage of that mistake.

If there is going to be special attention diverted to Larry Fitzgerald, then Belichick will have to live with a 1-on-1 match-up on the other WRs Early Doucet and Andre Roberts. Cartoon names, I know...but we have Ras-I Dowling, so its a draw. Not sure how they will match up, or how they will treat Jeff King and an aged Todd Heap, the TEs. So, I'll go a different direction.

3. Brandon Lloyd vs Patrick Peterson - I don't know if this is a match-up that the Patriots will test very often, but I do want to see how Lloyd will compete with Peterson.  In the past, they were in the same division, and they know each other well.  Their rivalry is a bit lopsided in Peterson's favor. In two games last year Lloyd had 6 rec. for 103 yards. So, if we can get another 3 receptions for 50 yards, I'll take it. I just really want to avoid that interception, so if he's a decoy, that's fine too.