PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Film Breakdown: Kareem Hunt 78-yard Touchdown

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I broke down this play today on Patshow because I think it encapsulates a lot of what went wrong for the defense against the Chiefs.

At this point, it’s early in the fourth quarter and, gasp, the Patriots are WINNING! I know this fact has taken a back seat to the “Pats got blown out” hot takes, but fix the problems on first down and take away the fourth-quarter big plays and this is a game the Patriots likely win.

Let’s take a look how it broke down as we get Up Close and Personnel.

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Patshow Ep. #105: Chiefs Recap, Saints Preview

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Join me and Nick Stevens for Episode number 105 of Patshow, our new Facebook Live venture powered by the mad geniuses at MediaBoss. In this episode we let Fitzy puppet breakdown what we were all feeling during the Chiefs debacle, take a look at some of the best social media to come out of the game and break down one of the key defensive failures during the game. All that and plenty more Pats talk on Patshow!

 

Patriots Should Embrace Palate-Cleansing Loss

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I usually avoid most of the hot take media, especially in days after losses. No one knows how to overreact quite like Patriots fans and pundits, but after a couple days to sit on the game and review it, I feel like this loss was a nice hit of the reset button that should re-focus the 2017 team on 2017. You can even check the NFL odds by BetOnline to see that yes, the Patriots are still favored in New Orleans against the Saints.

The Patriots aren’t going anywhere. I know it. Vegas knows it. And most of you probably know it too. But for those of you still running around screaming that the Patriot sky is falling, here are some things to keep in mind.

Let’s break down what’s actually worrisome and what we can just chalk up to September being an extension of the preseason.

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Patriots vs. Chiefs Film Review: Offense Edition

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As is usually the case, I felt a lot better about the Patriots offense after reviewing the All-22 game film. They certainly didn’t play great, but 27 points against a good defense is nothing to dismiss. The Chiefs had an effective gameplan and often blanketed the Patriots’ receivers in man-to-man coverage with a single high safety.

It was as if defensive coordinator Bob Sutton dialed up the same old scheme that we saw the Patriots struggle with during times of turnover. When there isn’t a receiver Brady trusted implicitly defenses had success crowding the line of scrimmage and forcing Brady to decipher the coverage. While Brady usually figures these things out, he wasn’t quite on the same page with his weapons for most of the game.

So yeah, put up 27 on a bad night? I’ll take it. Things will certainly get better, this just wasn’t the sharpest game for Brady and offense.

Let’s take a closer look at what stood out on the review.

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Patriots-Chiefs Film Review: Defense Edition

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Plowed my way through the first defensive review of the All 22 film and as always it put things into perspective when watching without the emotion of the broadcast. Of course there were bad plays and busted coverages, but there was also plenty to feel positive about.

In a lot of ways it did remind me of the 2014 Chiefs loss in that players just weren’t getting off blocks and making plays. That kind of performance is often common the first few weeks of the season, with one ugly game almost always popping up — remember losing to the Cardinals at home in 2012?

But the poor performance would’ve been so much different if not for a few blown coverages and I fully expect there to be fewer blown coverages the rest of this season than there were in Week One.

Here are my observations on the big defensive picture.

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Patriots Defensive Focus: Winning First Down

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As you’d expect there’s plenty of panic about the Patriots’ defense after Thursday night’s blow out loss. Last year the defense led the league in points against but people were still worried that they actually were not good. So after giving up the most points and yards under Belichick it’s understandable that the defense is a major focal point of the ire.

Discerning between what problems are real and what problems can be chalked up to the first game of the season on a short week against a good opponent is the key here and when you really break things down the real problems are obvious. Whether or not the Patriots have the personnel at this point to fix those problems will be a point of debate, but I think we can all agree that the defense is always in a somewhat experimental phase in September and that they’re always far more sound down the line, even when they have to throw guys like Joe Vellano and Chris Jones in the heart of their defense early on (2013).

One point that’s very much worth pointing out is how effective Kansas City was at exploiting the communication issues on defense. Eric Mangini said when he was with the Browns, a big offensive focus for going against the Patriots was having multiple shifts and motions that forced the Patriots to adjust their calls. He called the Patriots defense “rule-based” so every movement by the offense required 11 adjustment calls on defense. The more movement the more chance at miscommunication, and the Chiefs seemed to do that repeatedly.

Their pre-snap motion seemed to mix the Patriots up quite a few times, resulting in blown coverages and too many wide open receivers. First, not all teams have the kind of versatility that the Chiefs have in this regard, especially with a mobile quarterback. Second, this communication will improve for the Patriots, whether Dont’a Hightower plays every single game or not.

There are just two simple keys for the defense as we move on to the Saints — win on first down and don’t give up big plays. That’s how simple it is.

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12 Quick Thoughts on Patriots Re-Watch

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Obviously you miss a ton of stats and angles when you’re at the game and not watching it on TV so a quick re-watch this morning was vital. Here are 12 quick-hit thoughts on what I picked up this time through.

  1. I realized the Chiefs did exactly what I said I’d do if I was attacking the Patriots’ defense. Go after the size and inexperience on the edges and target the linebackers in coverage. The high-priced secondary didn’t really matter once the Pats lost the edges of their defense and could’t get the check-downs tackled.
  2. The one long bomb to Cooks was beautiful, but was it worth the multiple deep incompletions? Deep threats only work if they’re a threat, and the Chiefs didn’t play them like they were.
  3. Yeah, Richards being out there at linebacker wasn’t exactly inspiring, and he was part of the soft edge problem, but he did make a nice play forcing a fumble and drawing a holding penalty. Kyle Van Noy is basically the heart of the defense now and I never thought I’d have to type those words.
  4. I wonder if it’s going to be hard to find a rhythm with the running backs? Lewis just can’t seem to break free, I wonder if he’s going to be a kickoff returner and specialist back, while the bulk of the load goes to Burkhead early.
  5. Yes, most yards and points allowed under Belichick, but it can’t be stated enough how much this is everything he DOESN’T coach. There’s no way to sugar coat it. I’m vaguely reminded of 2005, when Bruschi and Phifer were out early and, despite a strong front and secondary, and eventually getting Bruschi back, they were the worst defense under BB.
  6. Very curious to see the A22 because it seemed like they ran three verticals a bunch of times. They almost seemed too intent on proving they had a deep game and it fizzled.
  7. James White could emerge as a pivotal player this season in replacing Edelman. What the team needs now more than anything is a Kevin Faulk-ish presence out of the backfield who can be counted on in the critical moments. They also seem intent on showing they’re not afraid to hand the ball off to White anymore.
  8. Who’d have ever thought the quick, shifty receiver cupboard could become so bare so quick?
  9. I find it totally disturbing how Cassius Marsh looks like Belichick merged Shea McClellin with Punk Macklemore then added just a sprinkle of high motor, then spit him back out on to the field. If Hightower misses time he’s next up at SDE.
  10. Wow David Harris must’ve fallen off a cliff. Two running-down snaps and no special teams. Wonder if he’ll be another hidden former-Jet presence like Shaun Ellis in 2011.
  11. I can’t say enough about how quick and disruptive Adam Butler is. He’s a load for anyone to block and I’ve never seen his energy drop. He had 20 snaps, Wise had 17, getting their feet wet on third down. Both showed up even more on the broadcast.
  12. Not Brady’s best game, and it was eerily similar to 2013 when things just weren’t clicking. Just remember Julian Edelman emerged from that season as his new “sonar” buddy as Edelman put it. Might be a grind at times this year, third down evolution will be an interesting thing to track.