I did pick against us in Aros' thread, as I think coming off of a short week, missing Bennett and the Pats are rested up plus the travel is all going to prove to be a bit too much.
Thing is, looking on paper, it's not a horrible matchup. The Pats team is kinda weird: their defense is ranked 16th in total yardage allowed at 354, yet is only allowing 16.5 ppg, which is a hair under what we're allowing. They don't have a great pass rush, and no real dominant DL players. I would like the total matchup better, but our OL doesn't seem to know their run blocking assignments yet. I still think Wilson is going to have time, and he'll find people open. The Pats secondary isn't going to be able to shut down Baldwin and Graham, and if so, Lockett is going to have a career game. Bellichik's philosphy on defense is to take away the thing you do best, then try to get you to beat them other ways.
Unless Lane channels his inner self from the SB, I think the Pats slot guy (Edelman/Amendola) is going to have a field day against him. Even if Chancellor is back, how do we match up with Gronk and Bennett ? Will we get enough pressure without our Bennett ?
Wondering what you folks' thoughts are on this.
Thing is, looking on paper, it's not a horrible matchup. The Pats team is kinda weird: their defense is ranked 16th in total yardage allowed at 354, yet is only allowing 16.5 ppg, which is a hair under what we're allowing. They don't have a great pass rush, and no real dominant DL players. I would like the total matchup better, but our OL doesn't seem to know their run blocking assignments yet. I still think Wilson is going to have time, and he'll find people open. The Pats secondary isn't going to be able to shut down Baldwin and Graham, and if so, Lockett is going to have a career game. Bellichik's philosphy on defense is to take away the thing you do best, then try to get you to beat them other ways.
Unless Lane channels his inner self from the SB, I think the Pats slot guy (Edelman/Amendola) is going to have a field day against him. Even if Chancellor is back, how do we match up with Gronk and Bennett ? Will we get enough pressure without our Bennett ?
Wondering what you folks' thoughts are on this.