I am putting my coaching hat on again this season and telling you ways the Patriots can attack their opponents on offense and defense. Here is this week’s installment of the Patriots game plan.
Offense
1. Vary protection against Crosby: Maxx Crosby is one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Accounting for him in pass protection will be a key in this game. Look for the Patriots to slide to him, chip him with a running back or tight end and double him. They will also trap him and screen to his side as well.
2. Get Maye into a rhythm early: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has to get Drake Maye into rhythm early and the best way to do that is to call three step passes, perimeter screens and play-action. Those pass concepts will allow Maye to get into a groove and get comfortable with the passing game plan.
3. Vary the run game: The running game will be a focal point today so expect the Patriots to run the ball 20-25 times. The Raiders front is average at best. Expect man-gap and zone runs as the Patriots try to establish their ground game and set a physical tone. Running off-tackle in particular will be a focal point.
4. Fortune favors the bold: Expect the Patriots to take some chances both in terms of their play calling and in certain situations. They will go for it more on fourth down this season than we have seen in recent years. Expect them to be aggressive today, especially from the 35 out in certain situations.
5. Welcome back personnel groupings: A staple of the Patriots offense under Josh McDaniels has been multiple formations. Expect them to be in 11, 12, 13 and 10 today as they try to identify and exploit match-ups. Last season they were primarily an 11 and 12 personnel team. That will not be the case this season.
Defense
1. 8 man fronts: Chip Kelly loves to run the football and set everything else up in his plan. He has a potential workhorse back in rookie Ashton Jeanty. Expect the Patriots to be in a lot of eight man fronts out of the huddle, especially on early downs as they try to slow down Jeanty and get the Raiders into long down situations,
2. Bracket Bowers: The Patriots will bracket tight end Brock Bowers in certain situations and down and distance. They have to. He cannot be allowed to roam freely, especially underneath. Be physical with him, re-route him and force Raiders quarterback Geno Smith to look elsewhere.
3. Heavy blitz plan: The Patriots need to go after Smith today with a consistent barrage of five and six man pressure. The Raiders receiving corps lacks star power. Outside of Jakobi Meyers, they lack the depth at receiver to challenge the Patriots secondary. The Patriots will play a lot of man coverage and they bring pressure front all over their fronts to disrupt Smith and force Vegas into long down situations.
4. 3-Safeties: I would play a lot of three safety coverages against this Vegas offense today. Bowers is their primary target. Get physical with him and re-route him as much as possible. Three safeties allows you to do that. It also allows the Patriots to screw down the eighth guy in the box and support the front seven. Playing Woodson, Dugger and Hawkins together makes a ton of sense this week.
5. Get Davis on Meyers: I suspect the Patriots will play a lot of man coverage today. With that being the case, expect Carlton Davis to match travel with Jakobi Meyers. The former Patriot is the best receiver and if the Patriots play as much man coverage as I suspect they will today, Davis will be on Meyers a lot.