The Patriots are hosting their first playoff game in six years. It will not be easy against a Chargers team that presents some match up problems.

The game plan is simple. Establish the run early and attack their corners in the passing game. Defensively, the Patriots have to control the line of scrimmage, isolate their offensive tackles and be disciplined rushing Justin Herbert.

Here is this week’s plan.

Offense:

Use 3-Step and bootlegs to get Drake into a rhythm: The Patriots need to get Drake Maye into a rhythm early. Three step drop and bootlegs are the best way to get him a simple throw that gets him into a rhythm. Attacking the Chargers cornerbacks will be key today.

Diagrams 1-3: Examples of three step concepts.

Run C Gap and D Gap: The Chargers run defense has been stout inside but vulnerable off-tackle and outside. The Patriots need to emphasize running in C gap and D gap. Jab Power, counter, outside zone and toss are all run plays that should be good this week.

Diagrams 4 & 5: Examples of Jab Power out of compressed formation

Play-Action: The Patriots ability to run the football in recent weeks has enabled them to set up their play action passing game and I suspect we will see a fair amount of play action in this game. Especially if McDaniels can get Stevenson and Henderson going early. That will be key. Again, attack outside specifically their corners.

Diagrams 6 & 7: Play–Action pass concepts out of 11 and 21 personnel.

Get Henderson touches in the passing game: It is great that Rhamondre Stevenson is involved in the passing game but the Patriots need to get Treyveon Henderson touches as well. We saw what he can do as a receiver at Ohio State and with his big play ability, he needs to be used more in the passing game.

Back of the playbook stuff: It is the playoff which means McDaniels will empty the playbook. Expect reverses, reverse passes, double passes flea flickers and more direct snap runs like we saw last week. Heck, you might even see a jump pass off it.

Defense

Isolate their tackles in the pressure game: The Chargers have been without their starting two offensive tackles for most of the season. The offensive line have given up 54 sacks this season. The Patriots pass rush isn’t elite but I would put pressure on their tackles by daggering and bringing two from one side. Make their tackles jump set quick and panic.

Diagram 8: Dagger blitz off the edge.

Bring pressure away from the RB: The Patriots need to disguise and move around a lot in this game. Bringing pressure away from the back will allow the Patriots to get pressure but also stop off-tackle runs. The Chargers are one of the best off-tackle running teams in the NFL.

Diagram 9: Edge pressure away from the RB.

Play Cover 5: Cover 2 Man was tailor made for teams like the Chargers that have so many options in the passing game. The Patriots need to play a lot of tonight, especially on medium and long down situations.

Diagram 10: Cover 5 AKA Cover 2 Man

Disciplined Edge Pressure: Justin Herbert is one of the top running quarterbacks in rhetorical NFL statistically. The Patriots edge rushers have to be disciplined in their rush lanes. They cannot get upfield too much and they have to keep Herbert on their inside hip. I would not run a ton of T-E stunts against him.

Bracket McConkey: Ladd McConkey is the Chargers most dangerous receiver so don’t be surprised if the Patriots bracket him in certain situations, especially if he is lined up in the slot. It is where he is most dangerous and is most likely to get a free release.

Diagram 11: Inside bracket on the slot receiver.