5 Key Players To This Year's Playoff Run
by JAAJ on Dec 29, 2011 11:26 AM EST
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PrintEveryone is important to contributing to the New England Patriots, but 5 guys will determine this year's playoff run.
If you think of another player, feel free to comment.
1) Tom Brady- TB was coming. We all know it. The offense pretty much goes as far as Tom Brady does. He has had a great year covering up for the terrible defense that we call the New England Patriots. He has a chance to throw for over 5000 yards this year and could also throw for over 40 touchdowns. If he struggles, then the Patriots will be one and done.
2) Vince Wilfork and Mark Anderson- With Andre Carter out of the remainder of the season and playoffs, Wilfork and Anderson will be the main duo on the defensive line. They will be the two guys responsible for getting pressure on the QB and also stopping the run. Andre Carter was their main guy when it was to getting pressure on the QB and sacking him/forcing bad throws so other players will really have to step up.
3) Devin McCourty- Devin had a terrible year at CB for the Pats. From injuries to having to play defense against taller wide receiver, it was the definition of a sophomore slump. He will be responsible for defending the best wide receiver on opposing teams.
4) Patrick Chung- No one, I repeat NO ONE, wants Matthew Slater at a safety position. The secondary has been horrible this season and part of that is because Patrick Chung has been injured for many weeks. He is the best safety on this team (when healthy) and can really help contribute in coverage and even on the run. He may not be the best safety in the league, but he is 56 steps above Matthew Slater.
5) Chad OchoCinco- We all know what Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez can do. Heck, even Deion Branch is having a good season. If Chad can contribute (in a positive way!), then the threat of Chad will open up the field for the other WR's even more. It should even open up the running game a little bit.
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I have to disagree with one Key
Not only is Chad Ochocinco not a key for this team, I think his contributions are inconsequential. If he does well…that is just great, but this offense is going to be just fine with or without him.
I would argue the health of Mankins, Vollmer or Light is far far far more important to the playoff run.
Yeah, pretty much TFB does as well as the line the protects him.
We need a solid O-line to give Tommy some time to find his favorite receiver – the open one.
We need Tom to settle in and make good throws instead of tossing them in the dirt.
We need pressure from Wilfork, Anderson and company to keep the ball in Tommy’s hands.
We need the secondary to keep things tight enough, that the front guys can get there.
Chung is great, but a bonus at this point. How well will he play with so much time off? Of course, our current safeties have set the bar pretty low.
Mr. Ochocinco is even more of a bonus. I’d like to see him break out, but we’re fine without him. Branch may still be back and be a bigger factor.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 29, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
I think the main concern is just continuing to build off what we have been accomplishing the past 5 weeks or so
There is not one thing in particular that needs to happen for us to win like you said, Chung and Chad being bonuses at this point. We have won through adversity all season and as long as we keep up at the same level of play it will be us playing in INDY in February. Mark my words :)
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
#6: Bill O'Brien
Bill must me able to change the game plan if teams choose to get physical with our receivers and play bump and run, a good example is what the Steeler’s did in disrupting the offenses timing. Also, need to become more balanced to keep the heat of of Brady, he can’t throw if he is too banged up.
by Brady's Revenge on Dec 30, 2011 9:51 AM EST reply actions
New England Offensive Live
We need to jump ahead of other teams, especially since most of the teams making the playoffs have elite defenses. If we want anything to come out of the offense, TFB needs enough time.
"Red, Blue and White Ignite"
"Orange and Blue, A Gator Too"
What elite defenses in the playoffs? The best teams are GB, NE, and N.O. and we all allow a ton of points.
The only elite is S.F. , but I think they will find it difficult to stop any of the big 3. You never know though. Turnovers come in bunches for the big 3 because teams have to press on the gas to keep up with them, which causes them to turnover the ball over. I wouldn’t worry about our defense at all. All they need to do is keep playing like they have in the 3-4 and the defense will do its part.
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
Ravens, Steelers,
Broncos, Jets, Giants, are all defense-based teams.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Dec 30, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
Those teams are also on the bubble and hold no real threat IMO.
Steelers are on the downward slope, Ravens QB is not capable of winning big games similar to Rivers. It will come down to the Packers, Saints, and us. S.F. is the only real darkhorse that could be a threat. Watch out for the Lions too though,
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 9:39 PM EST up reply actions
I don't share your confidence
I think any team could beat us. I’m actually more afraid of defensive teams then offensive teams, due to our terrible defense.
Think of it like this: The Packers are all offense, no defense. Their offense is so good that no matter how good, or bad, our defense is they’ll hang up 30+ on us. That means our primary weakness, which is our D, doesn’t really matter: its a contest of elegant, finesse passing attacks no matter how you look at it.
The Steelers, however, have the D to hold us to 20-30. That means we’ll have to hold them to less then 20-30 if we want to win, which means our D will actually matter. A game against the Steelers could turn ugly, becoming more smashmouth/ground and pound.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Dec 31, 2011 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
Terrible is an overstatement
Take that out and replace it with just below average. Deepest apologies for briefly buying all the BS that I argue against. Forgive me, Master.
But I stand by my overall point.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Dec 31, 2011 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
McCourty had a pick last week! We need turnovers, I don't care how many points we give up to WRs as long as..
we keep creating turnovers. We need the 1st round bye especially for Chung and Vollmer.
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 3:52 PM EST reply actions
Turnovers are huge
Patriots didn’t get any against the Jets last year and I think that’s a big reason why they lost.
Keep the faith!
Right now Patriots stil can't win without turnovers.
It is what it is
Agreed. If you look at all teams that score like us who have been successful in playoffs it was due to turnovers.
For example, Saints vs Vikings when MIN gave them 7 free bees in Favre’s final realistic chance.The superbowl usually doesn’t goes as planned (2007 stupid catch off where is he now’s helmet :)) , but we have the character and work ethic to get there. We are that team who can get these turnovers. We just need to keep up what we’ve been building on the last month or so even without Andre. I’m convinced. :)
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
The Rams didnt have a great defense when they won it with Warner, but they caused turnovers in part due to high octane offense
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 4:08 PM EST reply actions
The rams D was very good
When their offense scored 11 points in a playoff game they held the Bucs to only 6 points and in the SB their offense only scored 23, but they only allowed 16 points. The Rams were a balanced team.
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
Wasn't a great or an elite defense.
They too benefited from a high octane offense, which resulted in their opponents forcing the ball and causing turnovers. We have the capability of allowing under 2 scores a game IMO. I might sound a bit overconfident, but from what I have seen from our defense compared to earlier this season, I feel we truly have a shot of doing great things in the post season. I am not scared of any AFC team as long as we play disciplined ball.
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
For instance Dre Bly who had a ton of picks similar to Kyle :)
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 30, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe earlier in the year before the injuries
but now we can’t honestly expect our D which is most likely top 4 worse Defenses in the league top hold any good offense with a competent QB to under 2 scores. I mean our D hasn’t been able to do that playing less than average offenses so what makes you think they’ll be able to do that against significantly better Os?
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
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