The Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers this week in a game that will be a true measuring stick for the Patriots and where they stand in this early part of the season.
The Steelers are 1-1 and have struggled defensively thus far, but they are well coached and do present problems on both sides of the ball.
So how can the Patriots attack Pittsburgh today, offensively and defensively? Here are some things you could see from a coaching standpoint.
Offense
1. Heavy emphasis on the run game: Pittsburgh has been historically bad against the run through two games. They are giving up 149 yards per game on the ground so far.
The Patriots have to emphasize the run game, specifically their inside and outsize zone and their one back and two back power plays. This would be a good week to use Jack Westover in the running game as a lead blocker in 12 and 13 I-Formation runs.
Play-action pass game a big part of the plan: The play-action passing game needs to be a big part of the Patriots offensive game plan. Under center play-action, shotgun play-action and boot and naked bootlegs need to be a part of the plan.
Use motion to get receivers away from Ramsey: Steelers corner Jalen Ramsey is still an elite cover corner who is at his best squatting in press coverage and re-routing receivers. Josh McDaniels is going to have to free up his receivers and get them away from Ramsey. He needs to motion and use stack alignments to give his receivers free release and get them away from Ramsey.
Ramsey struggles at times in trail coverage. If the Patriots receivers can stack him and the Steelers corners, they will make plays vertically. Pittsburgh is 30th in the league against the pass.
Account for their edge rushers: The Patriots will have to help both Will Campbell and Morgan Moses this week in pass pro. Look for more six and seven man protections in certain situations. The Patriots will also do more chip and check releasing with their backs and tight ends. Getting hands on T.J Watt and Alex Highsmith and re-routing them as pass rushers will be key. The Patriots cannot rely on Drake Maye’s athleticism to survive in the pocket.
Screens galore: How do you effectively slow down a good pass rush? Screens and draws. Both plays are tried and true ways to cool off a good pass rush. I would expect a lot of different perimeter and halfback screens from the Patriots, especially on early downs. I would expect a lot of draws as well.
Defense
Sugar Rush Rodgers: Aaron Rodgers can still extend plays and hurt a defense out of the pocket. The Patriots are going to need to be disciplined in their rush lanes and their edge rusher are going to have to sugar rush him and close down with discipline. They cannot end up out of position.
Dealing with Metcalf? I think we will see some Gonzalez on Metcalf a fair amount but I can also see the Patriots bracketing Metcalf in certain situations and certain parts of the field. He is physical, so being physical with him isn’t always the best idea. The Patriots secondary will have to get their hands on him but they will have to make sure he doesn’t stack them vertically and they stay in phase in their trail technique. Metcalf burned the Patriots here last season. They cannot let that happen again.
Play a four and five man box: Pittsburgh’s running game is non-existent. The Patriots have to focus on attacking Rodgers and coverage. I would not worry about Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. My focus would be on playing more sub fronts and coverages and getting the Steelers into second and third and long.
Sims and bluffs to confuse the offensive line: The Patriots have to move around a lot along the front seven and confuse a suspect offensive line. Simulating and bluffing pressure won’t confuse Rodgers but it could do a number on his offensive line and allow the Patriots pass rush to get there more frequently.
Coverage rotations: The Patriots need to move in the secondary. Disguising, pre and post snap and robbing zones will be a great to generate confusion and possibly force a turnover. Rodgers has seen it all, so you won’t confuse him. You will however confuse his receivers and that is the goal. Movement is a big part of this defense. You will see a lot of it in this game by the Patriots.