The Patriots will have their hands full against a solid Cincinnati roster but in the NFL, the talent gap isn’t as wide. With a good plan in all three phases, the Patriots could win this game. 

Here is our offensive, defensive and special teams plan for today’s game. 

Offense:

-Chip Hendricksen and Hubbard in pass protection. It helps the offensive tackles and it sets up the screen game.

-Move the pocket in the passing game. Boot out of 21, 11 and 12 personnel. The more the Patriots can get Brissett out on the move, the better it will be for him from a protection standpoint. Here’s an example of a simple boot concept in the west coast offense.

-Heavy emphasis on three step drop. Getting the ball out quick will be key today. Look for the Patriots to utilize the quick five step passing game as well.

-The Patriots must establish outside zone. It sets up the boot game and attacks Hendricksen and Hubbard which the Patriots need to do if they want to slow them down as pass rushers. Outside zone like this to both sides could be effective.

-Show some empty. Given how bad the offensive line has struggled at times, empty may seem scary but it opens things up for the quarterback from a read standpoint and it allows him to get the ball out quick.

Defense 

-Bring inside pressure. The Patriots need to throw Burrow off his spot. The best way to do it is to bring inside pressure. The Patriots need to vary T-E stunts with A gap, B gap blitzes.

-If Chase plays, we bracket him in certain alignments. The Patriots need to be aggressive with him as well. He’s physical. Match his physicality. 

-Vary man to man coverage looks. The Patriots can play man in this game because they match up but it should be predicated on down and distance. If Higgins were healthy, I might play more zone and blend coverages.

-Bring five and six consistently. The Patriots have to be aggressive this season. They can simple rely on getting a base pass rush. With Judon gone, Josh Uche is their only pure pass rusher.

-Sellout to stop the pass. Unless Zack Moss and Chase Brown have success early, I would go with lighter boxes and focus on stopping the pass.

Special Teams

-All eyes will be on the dynamic return today. Quality field position will be crucial to the success of the offense. The Patriots must identify the weak spots in Cincinnati’s kick off team and set the return accordingly.