The Patriots visit the Jets in a must win game if they want to win the AFC East. These two teams met on November 13th at Gillette Stadium, with the Patriots beating the Jets 27-14 on Thursday Night Football.
The Patriots are limping into this one with seven starters/contributors out of this game. It will be a tough game to win but the Patriots can if their depth guys step up.
Here is the offensive and defensive game plan for this game.
Offense
Lots of 12 personnel: With the injuries to the wide receivers, the Patriots will have to feature Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper a lot in this game. Expect plenty of 12 personnel as the Patriots try to find a way to generate a passing game against a Jets defense that has been generous.
Everything is there in the passing game: The Jets secondary is among the worst in the NFL. The three-step passing game, five-step passing and play action should all be there in the Patriots game plan. Josh McDaniels will have the full passing game at his disposal. It will be more about what personnel is available.
Run OZ, Pin and Pull and Toss: The Patriots should get under center and run the football off-tackle and outside. Run outside zone, pin and pull and toss as the Patriots look to outflank the Jets and attack one of their weaknesses defensively. Stopping outside runs.
Heavy dose of 21, 22, 22 Rhino: The Patriots have to shorten this game so they can get out of it healthy. Run the football and get physical and down hill on this defense. The Jets are athletic defensively but not stout inside, so the Patriots should be able to move the football effective on the ground. Jab counter, power, lead, duo and inside zone are all runs that should be there.
Jet sweeps and reverses: Assuming Pop Douglas is healthy, he needs to be used on Jet sweeps and reverses. Same goes for Tre’veyon Henderson. Get both of them touches in space and let them make plays against a Jets defense that gives up a lot of big plays and doesn’t generate turnovers.
Defense
Disguise coverages: The Patriots secondary needs to show one coverage pre-snap and jump into another one post snap. Varying coverages will force rookie quarterback Brady Cook to hold the ball which means he could take sacks or force it into areas he shouldn’t.
Zone pressure: Along with disguising coverage, the Patriots will need to marry it to zone pressure. Zone pressure is tough on a young quarterback because it clouds their reads and forces them to hold the ball once again and take hits.
Diagram 1: Zone pressure with a blended coverage post snap
T-E Stunts: A staple of this Patriots defense, T-E stunts will be a big part of today’s game. Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr needs to figure out a way to get pressure without selling out with blitzing. Running T-E stunts is the best way to do that.
Diagram 2: T-E stunt with a a safety spy on the QB.
8 man fronts: The Patriots will have to play a lot of eight man fronts against a Jets offense that will make running the football a priority as they try to ball control the Patriots and keep Drake Maye and the offense off the field. Look for more Under fronts with the strong safety (Craig Woodson) screwed down in the box pre-snap.
Buff and mug the LB’s: Another way to create confusion for a young quarterback is to bluff and mug your linebackers. It allows a defensive coordinator to blitz them or drop them. The Patriots need to walk up, move around and confuse Cook in terms of what they are going to do.
Diagram 3: Mike “Mug” Technique