The Patriots host the Dolphins in the regular season finale at Gillette Stadium. Offensively, the plan this week is to sharpen things up. Defensively, it is all about confusing Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers and generating pressure and turnovers.
The Dolphins are playing a skeleton crew so I fully expect the Patriots to win this game. It is a good opportunity to work on things.
Here is this week’s plan on offense and defense.
Offense
Heavy emphasis on 3 Step and Quick 5 Step: The Dolphins secondary has been inconsistent all season long. They are susceptible to giving up big plays. The Patriots should be able to take advantage in both the three step and quick five step passing games. Blending the two concepts together could be productive. Empty would be a good way to blend concepts and attack this secondary.
Diagram 1: Empty blended concept
Get into 21 and 22: Expect the Patriots to run more 21 and 22 personnel groupings as they try to get the run game on track for the playoffs. Power, jab, blast and BOB runs are all on the menu for today.
Diagram 2: Wide BOB running play out of 21 personnel
Run inside the tackles: Run inside the tackles where Miami is most vulnerable. The Patriots need to get their shotgun running game on track and given Miami’s struggles inside the tackles defensively this season, it might be the game to do it.
Diagram 3: Inside zone out of shotgun
H Screens, Receivers Screens: The screen game has not been a big part of the offense this season so today would be a good opportunity to call some screens and get the screen game going. The Patriots have always been a great screen team, especially in the playoffs. Josh McDaniels needs to start calling more.
Diagram 4: Now screen off of inside zone
Ball security: Preach it and practice it in this game, especially for Drake Maye who has struggled in this area at times, even this season.
Defense
Mug gaps and bring pressure: Confusing rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers is the objective today. The Patriots need to give him a variety of looks at all three levels. Mugging linebackers and bringing simulated pressure are two keys to this game. Rush from one side and drop from another. He won’t see it coming.
Diagram 5: Mug alignment by the inside linebackers
80% Man Coverage: Play mostly man coverage in this game and get after the young quarterback with five and six man pressures. Ewers has seen plenty of man coverage in his football career but it is different in the NFL. The passing windows won’t be there and he will hold onto the ball.
Diagram 6: Four man pressure with man coverage behind it
Disguise Coverage: Disguising and blending coverages will be a key today. If the Patriots can force Ewers to hold the ball, the pass rush could get there. Ewers has a quick release and can get the ball out. Make him hold it a tad longer. If the Patriots can force Ewers that, they will get to him.
Diagram 7: Blended coverage that starts in Cover 2.
Cover 5: I love Cover 2 Man against young quarterbacks, especially in medium and long down situations. The secondary can be aggressive and physical underneath because they know they have help over the top. Offensive coaches typically want to get the ball out of a young quarterbacks hands quick. That means more three step and quick five step. Force the quarterback to hold the ball long by playing man with help over the top.
Diagram 8: Example of Cover 5 vs. 11 personnel
Bring overload pressure: Overload pressure can be tough for a young quarterback to pick up, especially if it is presented out of a balanced front. If the overload comes late, post snap, young quarterbacks tend to struggle to pick it up. The Patriots could get to Ewers today on a consistent basis with overload pressure.
Diagram 9: Overload pressure out of an odd front.