A Look Back - A Look Ahead (Week 17)
Welcome to “A Look Back / A Look Ahead,” where we break down one play from the Pats’ most recent game and one play by the upcoming opponent. If you enjoy this breakdown, check out Dave's blog at http://davebreaksdownfilm.blogspot.com/
The Patriots are averaging 35 points per game this season, but on their two trips to Florida this year they've only scored 23 points each time. Let's look at how the Jaguars defended the Patriots last week and how the Dolphins defended them in week 13.
A Look Back - the Jaguars used a "man-free" base (man coverage underneath with one safety deep) but mixed in zone blitz concepts to confuse Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and disrupt the passing game in the middle of the field. This play from the third quarter forced the Patriots to settle for a field goal.
There's a lot going on here. Linebacker Daryl Smith (#52) rushes the left A-gap. However, this play is not a true blitz. End Jeremy Mincey (#94) drops into an underneath zone in the middle of the field, clogging the passing lanes to receivers Wes Welker (#83) and Aaron Hernandez (#81). Safety Dawan Landry (#26) also covers an underneath zone, while free safety Chris Prosinski (#42) takes the deep middle. The other Jaguar defenders are in man coverage.
Back Danny Woodhead (#39) does a great job cut-blocking Smith, but the extra defenders force Brady to hesitate. Smith recovers to put pressure on Brady, who throws too high for Welker to handle. Jacksonville's defense has not been successful this season, but on Sunday they had a great game plan to disrupt the prolific Patriots attack.
A Look Ahead - The New England attack was also stymied at times in their earlier trip to Miami. The Dolphins managed to get pressure on Brady throughout the game. This pressure also disrupted the Patriots' deep passing game - on balls classified as "deep," Brady was 0-of-6 with an interception, though the Patriots did draw one pass interference call.
We can see the pass rush disrupting the deep passing game on a play from the first quarter. The Patriots show an empty backfield, and the Dolphins, like Jacksonville above, are in "man-free" coverage. New England attacks Miami with vertical routes, and Julian Edelman (#11), in the slot, gets a step on Jimmy Wilson (#27) and manages to get past deep safety Chris Clemons (#30).
The play is not a success, however, because Brady is under duress. In the broadcast shot we can see rookie end Olivier Vernon (#50) beats left tackle Nate Solder (#77) to the inside with a spin move and Brady has to shuffle to his left before making the throw. He gets his feet set but overthrows Edelman, who was open for a touchdown.
Tom Brady thrives against the blitz, but that doesn't mean opposing teams can just sit back with vanilla defenses and shut down the Patriots' passing attack. The Jaguars and Dolphins were both able to get pressure with four-man rushes and disrupt the New England passing game. The Patriots will need to protect better to make a deep playoff run, and they'll get a tune-up this Sunday in their rematch versus the Dolphins.
The Patriots are averaging 35 points per game this season, but on their two trips to Florida this year they've only scored 23 points each time. Let's look at how the Jaguars defended the Patriots last week and how the Dolphins defended them in week 13.
Back Danny Woodhead (#39) does a great job cut-blocking Smith, but the extra defenders force Brady to hesitate. Smith recovers to put pressure on Brady, who throws too high for Welker to handle. Jacksonville's defense has not been successful this season, but on Sunday they had a great game plan to disrupt the prolific Patriots attack.
A Look Ahead - The New England attack was also stymied at times in their earlier trip to Miami. The Dolphins managed to get pressure on Brady throughout the game. This pressure also disrupted the Patriots' deep passing game - on balls classified as "deep," Brady was 0-of-6 with an interception, though the Patriots did draw one pass interference call.
We can see the pass rush disrupting the deep passing game on a play from the first quarter. The Patriots show an empty backfield, and the Dolphins, like Jacksonville above, are in "man-free" coverage. New England attacks Miami with vertical routes, and Julian Edelman (#11), in the slot, gets a step on Jimmy Wilson (#27) and manages to get past deep safety Chris Clemons (#30).
Tom Brady thrives against the blitz, but that doesn't mean opposing teams can just sit back with vanilla defenses and shut down the Patriots' passing attack. The Jaguars and Dolphins were both able to get pressure with four-man rushes and disrupt the New England passing game. The Patriots will need to protect better to make a deep playoff run, and they'll get a tune-up this Sunday in their rematch versus the Dolphins.
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