An Independent Patriots Blog
Hear me out, the Patriots are not invincible, and anyone who has followed the team knows this year in particular they are vulnerable. Now, in 18(!) years the team has shown great resiliency and strength in overcoming absurd and borderline insurmountable obstacles. However, they can be beaten. Maybe. If the 2010 Jets did it, why not the 2017 Titans?
For the Tennessee Titans this week, they can advance to the AFC Championship with a perfect game.
Here’s what that would look like:
Here’s everything you need to know about The Atlanta Falcons, aka “The Last Ones Standing”
New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons
Sunday February 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston Texas
6:30 pm EST, FOX
Dome Stadium
Opponent/Patriots Stats:
Falcons: 11-5 (2-0)
Common Opponents:
History: These teams are not common enemies. As Marcellus Bennett pointed out, Patriots natural predator is the Red Coat, not the Falcon. The last time the teams met, Aqib Talib was balling for the Pats in 2013. The teams have only met 13 times since 1972, making them some of the most unfamiliar opponents New England has had in a while. Patriots lead the series 7-6, and winners of the last 4 meetings, with only one them being played at Gillette Stadium. As of late, the Pats have owned the Falcons, but that’s kinda true about the Pats versus everyone and the Falcons are different this year so read into that what you will.
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[Read more…] about Super Bowl LI Scouting Report: The Atlanta Falcons
Thursday morning, I had an outstanding phone call with Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) of ESPN Radio in Pittsburgh to preview the upcoming playoff match. Adam is a Pittsburgh native and hosts “Locked on Steelers” and also covers the Penguins for ESPN’s iHeartMedia Radio cluster. Adam is a smart guy with lots of knowledge on the team so I figured he’d be the perfect guy to go to for an inside look on this playoff team. Below is the transcription of our conversation where we talk about the Steelers players you haven’t heard of before but should know, Tedy Bruschi, Steelers red zone percentages, ridiculous Le’Veon Bell stats, and the similarities between Marty Bennet and Big Ben.
ADAM MAGNACCA: So we all know about Big Ben, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown, but give us some background on some other weapons on the Pittsburgh offense and who you think the #4 guy is.
ADAM CROWLEY: Yeah that’s interesting, if Ladarius Green is healthy, it’s certainly him. He’s a big play guy, he’s got height, he’s got speed, and he’s deceptively fast. you watch him running down the football field and it doesn’t look like he’s going all that quickly, but he’s got long legs. He’s able to go up and make combatted catches and is a big time red zone target. We’ll find out as the week progresses whether or not he’ll be able to go in this game on Sunday. If I’m a Steelers fan I wouldn’t be optimistic that it would happen. We’ve seen this before, he did practice in a limited capacity and if he were able to go he’d be a big time weapon for the Steelers offense. If not him, I really think its a committee. The Steelers don’t really have another option other than Bell and Brown who is going to terrify New England, but they guys who can get it done. Eli Rogers is productive out of the slot. Really good football player, shifty after the catch, as is Demarcus Ayres, who is very similar. One of the PR/KR guys as a 7th round draft pick for the Steelers this year out of Houston. He’s a guy that can make you miss in the open field. Cobi Hamilton is a guy who can be utilized in the red zone, can get down the field sometimes on the deep route. He has made some clutch catches for the team this year as has Jesse James, the other Steelers TE who has filled in admirably for Ladarius Green since he went down. Darrius Heyward-Bey is the guy who can be used to stretch the field. Same thing with Sammie Coates although he hasn’t been used since the early part of the season because of injuries and some inconsistencies with him. So the Steelers really don’t have an elite weapon after Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown except for Ladarius Green and he very well might not play on Sunday.
[Read more…] about Behind Enemy Lines with Adam Crowley of ESPN Pittsburgh
The playoffs finally feel real. The Patriots are one game away from the Super Bowl and the pressure is on. This is the part of the season we all live for, to face stiff competition and crush old rivals. The Patriots and Steelers haven’t held as intense a rivalry since they last faced off in the playoffs in 2004. Now, the teams are largely different than they were then, but both teams are still top organizations. Let’s break it down.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Pittsburgh Steelers, aka “Bumble Ben and the Yellow Jackets”
Week 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday January 22nd
6:40 pm EST, CBS
High 30’s, 10% chance of precipitation, 5 mph winds
[Read more…] about AFC Championship Scouting Report: Pittsburgh Steelers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVq4HxeN8K4
One of the advantages of taking on a playoff opponent in the regular season is that you get a great chance to self scout yourself before going into the matchup again. The good news for us, is we get to take a look at scheme, as well as players. The Patriots in particular are a much different team from the last matchup so lets go through and outline those differences.
Clearly, this team is not the same as they were in Week 3, and neither are the Texans after Brock Osweiler starting, being benched, and now starting again, or JJ Watts appearance, ineffectiveness, and disappearance. However, there is a lot to be gleaned from seeing this game, and obviously the Patriots are going to take a look at it also. Here are a few quick notes after looking at the game again:
First, and most importantly, can we wear these uniforms again? Seriously they’re fire. Okay okay, I’m watching.
[Read more…] about Deep Dive Rewatch: Week 3 vs. Houston Texans
The time has come to retire to our favorite spot on the couch for the last time until the post season is upon us. Now everyone should start dusting off their lucky jerseys, hats, and other superstitious aids for the team. Remember, they need us. But for now, we need to finish out the season. Brady and Co. have been talking about how unhappy they were no finishing out the season strong. This is their chance to make another statement win against the clearly inferior AFC before their guaranteed bye to rest and scout the rest of the league from the couch. The Patriots also could end up playing the Dolphins again in the post season so this will be a good chance to see what they can and can’t get away with against the Matt Moore led team.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Miami Dolphins, aka, “The Only Other Playoff Team in the AFC East since 2002.”
Week 17 at Miami Dolphins
Sunday January 1st
1pm EST, CBS
Sunny, High 70’s
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[Read more…] about The Beginning of the End: Regular Season Finale Scouting Report: Miami Dolphins
What a satisfying win. Everyone keeps talking about how this win feels old fashioned, behind a stout defense and a balanced and effective offensive attack. The Broncos are also a team every Pats fan wanted to see squished by the big foot of TB12/BB. Now with a first round bye (holla) and the fate of their seeding in their own hands, I don’t expect to see them to take their foot off the gas. That’s not Belichick’s style. Plus, better to only rest guys who are hurting in Week 17, you don’t want them to get too rusty sitting on their couches in January for too long. The Jets games are always an intense battle but the Patriots are riding high and could seriously feast here.
Here’s everything you need to know about the NY Jets, aka, “The Slaves of Ryan Fitzpatrick.”
Week 16 vs. New York Jets
Saturday December 24
1:00 pm, CBS
Low 40’s/High 30’s, minimal chance of precipitation, 12 mph winds
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[Read more…] about Let’s Go Get a GD Snack: Week 16 Scouting Report vs. New York Jets