The Patriots visit Mike Vrabel’s old stomping grounds today when they take on the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee is 1-5 and putrid on offense. They average 13.8 points per game and only 3.9 yards per play. The defense should play well today.
Offensively, it will be about handling Jeffrey Simmons up front and attacking a secondary that like the Saints last week, gives up a lot of big plays. Getting the ground game going would be nice.
Here is this week’s plan on offense and defense.
Offense
Attack all 3 levels in the passing game: Tennessee’s secondary is one of the worst in the NFL. Like last week, the plan this is week to attack in all three levels of the passing game. There will be a heavy emphasis on the three step and intermediate passing game and we will take shots in plus territory.
Run off-tackle: We will run more outside zone, two back BOB and weakside gut are all plays that will be heavily featured in the run game this week. It is the one area where we have an advantage.
Diagram 1: Sprint 35 Gut
Diagram 2: Sprint 37 Bob
Use compressed formations to create space: Tennessee plays a lot of zone coverage so using either compressed formations or short motion can create space and separation in the passing game. The Patriots will run a lot of three step and quick five step pass plays this week against the soft leverage. Look for compressed formations and short motion to be a big part of the plan.
Diagram 3: 3-Step Passes out of compressed formations and short motion
Fit the RB in A & B gap: The Patriots have been fitting the running back in A and B gap a lot under Josh McDaniels. Look for more of it this week as they try to help the guards and center block block Jeffrey Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat inside.
Wham and trap running plays: I would wham and trap the you know what out of Simmons and Sweat today. You need to slow them down and one of the ways to do that is to wham and trap block them. It will help in keeping on their heels.
Diagram 4: One Back G Trap
Diagrams 5 & 6: Wham to 3 technique
Defense
Disguise in the secondary: The Patriots are facing a rookie quarterback in Cam Ward today so expect plenty of pre and post snap movement and a lot of disguising. The goal is to show one look pre-snap and move to another after the snap. Bait Ward into bad throws.
Boundary and slot pressure: The Patriots need to put some pressure on offensive tackles Dan Moore and J.C Latham today. Best way to do it is to bring one and two man edge pressures. Bringing pressure off the slot could also be worthwhile today. Both tackles have struggled so giving them multiple looks and multiple pressure from a side will be a big key today.
80% Man Coverage: Calvin Ridley is out and the rest of the Titans skill group is average. Outside of long down and distance situations, the game this week is to play all man coverage and bring five to seven defenders o every down.
Front variation: Give Ward something to think about in all three levels. Some 30 fronts with mug and bluff techniques would be a good way to show him different looks and confuse their protection schemes.
Play more Under fronts: The Patriots need to keep Tony Pollard and the Titans run game in check. Playing more under fronts and screwing the safety down pre-snap will be a good way to keep the Pollard and the ground game in check.
Diagram 7: Under Front with safety utilizing a SKY technique