|
The New England
Patriots are suddenly peaking just at the right
time. In last Sunday's massacre of the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers they suddenly looked like the team of the
past two years. For the first time this year the
Patriots put together a complete game against a
formidable opponent. Teams in the AFC suddenly
became nervous and it appears a sleeping giant has
suddenly awoke.
One of the main
reasons New England has become a better defensive
team can definitely be attributed to Teddy Bruschi.
Bruschi after being back in the lineup for the last
6 games has regained his form and gotten the defense
back on track. Defensive calls are being made easier
and the front seven has began to control the line of
scrimmage. Turnovers are suddenly being forced and
New England has been able to bring added pressure
with Bruschi's ability to cover the middle of the
field and eliminate potentially big pass plays
underneath secondary coverage. In addition to
Bruschi, the secondary has also become healthier and
are playing as a cohesive unit. Rodney Harrison has
been missed but other players have stepped in with
Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel providing leadership
in the secondary. Look for New England's defense to
steadily improve as chemistry in the new personnel
develops.
Offensively the
Patriots also have added a spark from Corey Dillon.
For much of the season Dillon has been nagged with
injuries and is finally beginning to reassert
himself. Dillon's presence has stopped teams from
dropping safeties into deep coverage and has made
teams account for the running game with the strong
safety moving up into the box. This has led to the
passing game opening up and Tom Brady being able to
complete the play action passes on first and second
down. The tight ends have become much more of a
presence in working the middle of the field and the
Patriots have three good ones. Both Daniel Graham
and Christian Fauria have shown the ability to make
the catch in key situations and Ben Watson has
proven to be a tight end with considerate speed who
stretches the defense. With a steady balance in both
the running and passing game the Patriots become a
dangerous team to defend.
Another key element
of the Patriots in making a playoff push is the
special teams and coaching. With the discipline in
the coaching staff the Patriots have proven to be
effective on special teams and have routinely beat
teams on this third phase of the game. The kick
returners are dangerous and able to break a long run
at any time with Tim Dwight and Bethel Johnson back
deep. The other key factor is the role players who
are effective blockers and tacklers in coverage and
allow great execution on special teams. In coaching
New England has a distinct advantage because they
don't make mistakes and are among one of the least
penalized teams in the NFL. Add to this the fact
that the New England coaching staff has been able to
consistently out scheme opponents in the playoffs
year after year.
For those reasons
their is a reason for optimism in New England. The
Patriots have hit their stride and are peaking at
exactly the right time. Even though they will not
have home field advantage look for the Patriots to
play with intensity when they enter the playoffs.
Right now the Patriots have the ability to defeat
the Indianapolis Colts and once again reach the
Super Bowl. They have embraced the underdog role and
will once again embrace it when they meet the Colts.
If New England can control the clock and assert
their running game look for the Patriots to deliver
another Super Bowl Championship to New England.
|
