Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots are finally back in the NFL playoffs, and they will enter the tournament on Sunday night. Hosting the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium, the AFC East champions will try to win a fourth game in a row and 15th overall this season.
To do so, the Patriots have to bring their A-game in all three phases; despite an inferior record, L.A. is a formidable opponent capable of making life hard on any team. Needless to say that it takes an all-out effort from every player on the game day roster for that to happen. We will, however, take a close eye on the following six pivotal Patriots on Sunday night.
The Patriots’ starting quarterback played at an MVP-caliber level in the regular season, but the challenge will be a different one on Sunday. Not only is the pressure higher in the win-or-go-home setting that is the NFL playoffs, he also will go up against arguably the toughest defense he has faced so far: L.A. is among the best teams in football defending the pass and particularly the vertical game.
During the regular season, the Chargers allowed only 40.7% of passes beyond 10 air yards to be completed, the third-lowest rate in the NFL. In addition, they picked off 14 downfield throws, ranking second in the NFL in that particular category. Long story short, Maye needs to be at his best, and show why he has been worthy of all the MVP talk.
“There’s obviously a little bit of mixed emotions,” Maye said this week. “I think the biggest thing is I’m excited, excited to get an opportunity to play home playoff games. That’s what we starred at the beginning of the season of things we want to do here and goals we want to accomplish, and we’ve got our chance and opportunity right here. So, take advantage of playing in front of a crowd that’s been great all year, a crowd that I expect to be loud, and a night game against an opponent that has had some playoff experience and has a great offense and a great defense. So, we’ve got our hands full, but I’m looking forward to playing in front of this crowd.”
New England’s left tackle played a solid game in his comeback from injured reserve last Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, but as with his quarterback and the offense as a whole the challenge will be a tougher one this week. That is especially true because Campbell and fellow OT Morgan Moses will be going up against a disruptive edge rushing group headed by Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu as well as Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh.
Together, the three have registered a combined 26 sacks during the regular season. And there is no telling who will line up where: the three are switching sides on the regular, meaning that Campbell could very well end up facing all three.
DT Milton Williams ------------------...
