Scouting Chargers' opponent: the Patriots
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, head coach Bill Belichick, center, and quarterback Tom Brady confer on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) newsandtalking.blogspot.comThe New England Patriots are spending this week in San Diego.
Losing to the Chargers would send them home with a novelty item. A losing streak.
More than 26 months have passed since the Patriots lost consecutive games in the same football year.
New England, beaten 26-21 in Green Bay last Sunday, is 9-0 in the game after a defeat since losing to the Cardinals and Ravens, home then away, in Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2012 season.
The Chargers (8-4) have won three games in a row, but the AFC-leading Patriots (9-3) are a three-point betting-line favorite for the Sunday night (5:30) game at Qualcomm Stadium.
Under coach Mike McCoy, the Chargers are 3-3 as an underdog at home.
Norv Turner's Chargers were 1-4 against Bill Belichick's Patriots.
Losing at home to Belichick as a five-point favorite in the 2006 playoffs cost Marty Schottenheimer his job, following the Chargers' winningest season (14-2).
'They're very well-coached,' McCoy said. 'Games like this against a very well-coached team, you've got to take advantage of every opportunity you get.'
Belichick seeks his sixth consecutive playoff trip and fourth Lombardi Trophy.
He and McCoy were foes in the Super Bowl 38 duel 11 years ago -- McCoy then a Panthers quarterbacks coach trying to solve New England's top-ranked defense.
McCoy's top pupil, Jake Delhomme, threw three touchdown passes to no interceptions. Answering Delhomme's tying touchdown pass, the Patriots won, 32-29, on Adam Vinatieri's field goal.
McCoy worked under Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with the Broncos, from 2009-10.
'They're going to look at our film and say, How can we expose you, not just on defense, but in all three phases,' McCoy said.
Playmakers
Hall of Fame-bound QB Tom Brady, 37, can still throw the deep out. He throws tight spirals from an overhead delivery. Is eighth in passer rating (101.5), with 28 TDs and six INTs. Brady (6-foot-4 ½, 225) slides well in the pocket. His most recent of two All-Pro selections came in 2010.
TE Rob Gronkowski (6-6, 265) is too much for many safeties. Because he's also at least average as a blocker, he makes the offense less predictable. First among NFL tight ends in receiving yards (910), he's also the team leader in TD catches with nine. TE Tim Wright (6-3, 230) is fast and agile; he has six TD catches.
Shifty WR Julian Edelman (5-10 ½, 198) has a team-high 77 catches, and WR Brandon LaFell (6-2 1/2, 210) is a solid No. 2.
The successor to Chargers RB Danny Woodhead, RB Shane Vereen (5-10, 205) is quick, shifty and sure-handed. He has 44 catches. RB Jonas Gray (5-9 ½ 230) came off the practice squad to rush for 207 yards versus the Colts in Week 11. Cut by the Steelers last month, RB LeGarrette Blount (6-0, 245) has gained 136 yards in 22 carries (6.2).
The defense's strength is a versatile secondary, led by LCB Darrelle Revis, a five-time All-Pro. Packers WR Jordy Nelson, getting away with a pushoff, beat him for a 45-yard TD off a slant last week.
LE Rob Ninkovich (6-3, 260) has a team-best six sacks. NT Vince Wilfork (6-1, 350) is a run-stuffer with good range.
The team's best pass rusher, right end Chandler Jones, has missed the last six games. He reportedly could practice this week.
The Patriots mix '3-4' and '4-3' fronts. They lean on press coverage with corners Revis and Brandon Browner (6-3 1/2, 221).
Their defense is 13th in points and 14th yards. The offense is third in points and sixth in yards.
Post a Comment for "Scouting Chargers' opponent: the Patriots"