The Patriots host the Cleveland Browns in what should be considered a winnable game on paper it the Browns are tough.
Cleveland has a top ten defense, o e of the top run defenses in the league and the great Myles Garrett. It will be a tough test for the Patriots offensively.
The good news. The offense is struggling with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel at the helm so the Patriots defense should have a good day at the office.
Here is this week’s game plan on offense and defense.
Offense
Run at Myles Garrett: Running at Garrett is actually smart because it will make him have to work harder by getting off blocks and tackling more. Kick out blocks, crack blocks and guard pullers kicking out are all ways to attack Garrett and give him a work out.
Heavy emphasis on the screen game: Getting the ball out quick today will be key. Look for quick now screens, slip screens and H screens to be heavily featured today. SPO’S will also be a big part of the plan as the Patriots will use the quick screen and passing game to slow down Cleveland’s rush and protect Drake Maye.
Diagram 1: Now screen off of a halfback trap
Quick 3 and 5 passing game: The focus is on spreading them out and getting the ball out quick. The three step game will be a big part of the plan this week as will the quick five step passing game. Attacking outside the hashes will also be key as well because inside routes take longer to develop and Maye might not have the time to hang in the pocket and wait for them to get open.
Diagram 2: Hitch, seam concepts like this could be an easy way to get the ball out quick.
Plus territory shot plays: Cleveland’s secondary is good but far from elite. Just like the past two games, the Patriots will have opportunities to make big plays, especially in plus territory. Be aggressive, particularly on early downs and attack this secondary that can make plays but also give up big plays. Three and four verts, backside posts, post corner routes and corner posts are all on the table.
Emphasis on max protection: Heavy emphasis on max protection today. Ideally you set up play-action passing game with your running game and do it that way, but regardless of how you do it, the Patriots will need to utilize more six and seven man protections in this game. Doubling Garrett and chipping him will be a big part of the plan in pass protection this week.
Defense
8 Man Boxes: A heavy dose of 8 man boxes is on tap for this week. Called eight man front and eight man front with the safety screwing down pre-snap are all on the table as the focus is to stop Cleveland’s running game.
Run pressures: The Patriots need to reset the line of scrimmage and stop the run. Expect a heavy dose of blitzing on early downs to slow down this Browns rushing attack. A gap and B gap pressure is key in this game today. Getting them into second and third and long is the objective.
Disguise coverage on every snap: Confusing Gabriel will be the key today so look for a lot of movement on the back end. The Patriots will rotate from two high to single high coverage and vice versa. They will also use some robber coverages as part of their zone pressure package today. The goal is to force Gabriel to hold the ball or force into a receiver he thinks is open but they are not.
Zone pressures: The Patriots play a lot of man coverage and they will once again today but I would also mix in some zone pressure and get after Gabriel. The Patriots need to also simulate pressure to add additional confusion but showing pressure from one side, bringing it from another and dropping lineman into coverage should be a big part of the plan today.
Play more Under and Over Fronts: I would expect the Patriots to get into more Under and Over fronts today in an effort to stop Judkins and the Browns running game. Playing a five man defensive line today will be key when it comes to reestablishing the line of scrimmage. Cleveland likes to get the ball outside on outside zone and zone toss. The Patriots need the extra body on the edge in order to set the edge.
Diagram 3: Under Front
Diagram 4: Over Front