Bolts From The Blue
This week, we were joined by Taylor Kyles of our Patriots sister site, Pats Pulpit, to help us preview Sunday’s wildcard matchup against the Chargers.
If things continue along the same lines as Saturday’s wild card games, then we could all be in for one heck of a ride on Sunday Night Football.
Strap in!
With that said, let’s go ahead and jump into it!
1.) What have been the biggest reasons for Drake Maye’s massive jump in play from year one to year two? What has helped thrust him to the top of the MVP discussion?
I’d have to put the addition of OC Josh McDaniels at the top of that list. Drake Maye flashed game-changing potential as a rookie, but the structure McDaniels provides has been helped fuel his massive step forward. The former head coach has struggled when tasked with leading organizations, but he brings invaluable expertise as a play-designer/caller, and the offense has adapted to maximize his quarterback’s skill set.
Ultimately, Maye deserves credit for playing with more consistency, accuracy, and better decision-making, but McDaniels’ presence has been an undeniable key to his massive year two jump.
2.) Based on final regular season records, the Patriots had 11 games on their schedule against the 10 worst teams in the NFL this year. Is that a cause for concern in regards to the team’s contender standing? Is there any worry that they aren’t as tried and tested as the other team heading into the playoffs?
I think the Patriots’ light schedule has been most apparent on defense. New England has been a bottom-tier run defense after a dominant start to the season, and I could see LA having success outside the tackles. The Patriots have also faced several backup-quality passers, and they’ve struggled against dual-threat passers and shifty, explosive receivers like Ladd McConkey.
Offensively, the Patriots’ offense has faced enough challenging rosters and schemes that I’m not overly worried about their ability to sustain recent success. Maye has adapted to most tests coordinators have thrown at him, and the run game has taken significant strides since around Week 13. The offensive line is also back to full strength, but I’d test the left side’s Christy given how much time Will Campbell and Jared Wilson have missed as a duo.
3.) If you were Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, how would you attempt to attack this Patriots defense? Which defenders/matchups are you looking to exploit?
I’d run outside toward Christian Gonzalez on early downs. Gonzalez is an exceptional cover corner, but he isn’t the most consistent run defender, and offenses have taken advantage.
On later downs, when the Patriots lean more toward man coverage, I’d focus on Oronde Gadsden in the pass game. Craig Woodson has been about everything fans could’ve expected as a first-year starter, but he’s struggled against receiving tight ends. Gadsden also had success against Woodson in college.
**4.) If you were Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, how would you go about stopping this Patriots...
