I think the Pats fans in this thread have been pretty sane, but IMHO - we will win this game.
Some intangibles and observations on the Patriots:
- No doubt Tom Brady is a great player. Having an icon who is still in their prime is a huge asset.
- The head coach has proven he is a very good schemer. He has the rings to prove it.
- Having a WR that creates matchup problems (Welker)is usually an advantage; albeit he's shrimpy - he's quick and deceptively good
- Having a man-beast for a TE (Gronk) who is in the fabric of the offense is a major advantage - again - major matchup props to NE for exploiting him against other teams
- There is definitely, without question, a young defense anchored by a few really good players - based on the amount of points they give up - they have a lot of maturing to do.
- Aside from Brandon Lloyd and Welker, can you name another WR on that team? Not really... Lloyd has been targeted 45 times, but apparently does not convert well - catching 28 of those 45 passes. The bulk came in two games and has not been impactive... still searching for that other WR? Edelman and Branch only contribute to 111 yards of catches in 5 games.
- Ridley is a good story - that's because he's racking up yards against "quality defenses" like the Titans, Bills, and Broncos. He did little against Baltimore or Arizona.
On our side -
- While it's not a real true "talent on the field advantage" - us at home is a big deal. I don't care what anyone says. This stadium rocks.
- Our defense dictates where the ball can go - by that I mean the WR's might as well take the day off if they are going to line-up across from Sherman and Browner.
- Our running game is VERY GOOD. We don't pretend to be a running team like the Patriots. We ARE a running team.
- We have a rookie QB - but IMHO, he's every bit as good as any QB we've had since 2007. The last semi-decent year for Hasselbeck. At least RW has proven he can throw a ball in the air more than 30 yards - and if not a holding call last week, would have shown against a similar caliber defense what he can do with a deep ball.
Why I think we will win this game:
- With Seattle CB's funneling everything inside the numbers, we are basically playing with a 2 man advantage. Where most safeties are concerned about rotations and coverage handoffs, we don't do that typically.
- I don't think you stop Welker and Gronk. I think you force situations that remove them from the big play opportunity. For Welker, when he lines up, take something from him, whether it be the inside route or the out pattern. When he's on the LOS, bust him hard. When he's off, bracket so Brady has to look elsewhere. For Gronk, be good enough on the DL that he's spending more snaps at the LOS. When he's out in coverage, know where he is and force a perfect throw. Sounds easy to say, harder to do - but we have some of the best DB personnel in the game to get it done. Whatever we do - no LB's in coverage on Gronk. I say bring the safety down.
- Our DL stops the run on 1st and 2nd down.
- Our DL and safety help makes it very hard to convert on 3rd down. Safeties coming down to help LB's and the maddening rush from the DE positions really rattle other teams
- Our running game should be good for 5 YPC on Sunday. We are not the Cardinals. We are not the Ravens (who interestingly thinks they are a passing team this year). We run the ball. And we keep running it.
- I sincerely doubt that this game goes anywhere due to turnovers on RW. If something happens - it will be a fluke.
- Weather will be a factor. I think may benefit us in the running game.
- The TOP stat will be won by the Hawks.
- Can't argue we have a great kicking game to go along with the D and weather for Sunday.
- NE will no doubt try to exploit their advantages mentioned prior - I think they will, but just not enough to matter.