Quote from AAAintheBeltway:
It will be interesting to see what kind of game plan Norv turner comes up with. They had success against both the titans and Colts throwing the ball downfield to their 6-5 receiver jackson. He is pretty much impossible for a DB to cover. The other wideout Chris Chambers, a midseason gift from the Dolphins, is also a tough cover. Of course Gates is also huge and a tough matchup.
The Bolts defensive front is one of the league's most imposing. No one seems to be able to pressure Brady. I think the one way to stop the Pats' offense is to hit Brady, but teams that have tried to blitz him have paid big time.
My initial take on this game is that the Chargers are not as good a football team as the Jags, who lost by 11 and should have lost by a lot more if the Pats had been focused. But the Chargers do pose a different threat offensively, as they are better at throwing the ball down the field, plus they have a great running game. Of course, injuries will be a huge factor. If LT and Rivers can't go, it's a different ballgame.
NE is probably the most balanced team to come along in a long time, if not ever. I can't find a weakness. How many yards did Mulroney rush for last week? Against a stout Jags D. After all the pundits were saying they don't have a running game.
Offense can play shortball, longball, and rush... all the while protecting the passer. What gets me is they can tailor fit the game plan to whatever suits them. And execute it on virtually every down! WTF, that's not right.
The defense is #2 in sacks only behind the Giants. Incredible. And incredibly disciplined. You rarely see them out of position, missing assignments or gaps.
Special teams is special because, they don't fuck up. No stinky shanked punts, no block-in-the-back-on-every-2 0f 3-returns malarky, no look-at-me-I-made-a-tackle-I'm-so-good unsportsman like shenannigans to speak of.
This is a solid, solid TEAM that is perfectly coached. Almost a perfect storm.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
The same way Roberto Duran beat Sugar Ray...
Beat the snot out of 'em. Play harder, play faster, play shittier, and definitely play dirtier. Running back at the bottom of the pile? Jam a finger into his eye or ear hole. Lineman on the ground (and they always are)? Lay on him a bit. That really pisses them off when you don't unload from the pile in a timely manner. Tip pass away? or lay out the receiver?....hmm. Let Brady know that Leonardo's dick was in Gisele's mouth before Brady kissed her.
dirty, dirty, dirty!!! Not Denver offensive line dirty; just pigpen dirty should suffice.
Almost.
