At this level, drawing up a sport plan to cease Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen would possibly really feel downright silly in Foxboro.
Allen and the Bills famously didn’t punt of their final two matchups with the Patriots, together with a historic 47-17 blowout within the Wild Card spherical final January. Buffalo has received 4 of its final 5 conferences with the Pats. Allen isn’t even turning the ball over anymore, having thrown his final decide towards Bill Belichick’s protection on Nov. 1, 2020.
So is Thursday a fait accompli?
Not precisely. Allen will not be the identical quarterback he was in January. Last month, threw 5 interceptions to 4 touchdowns whereas he handled an elbow damage. The Bills couldn’t escape taking part in shut video games, not even towards the Lions and Browns.
Statistically, they continue to be as harmful as any offense within the NFL. But heading into Thursday’s kickoff, there are weaknesses. And apart from hoping Allen lastly, only for as soon as, throws them the ball like most quarterbacks are wont to to a few times a sport, the Patriots can observe a three-point plan to an upset.
Here it’s:
1. Attack the offensive tackles
Bills left deal with Dion Dawkins has been dominated out with an ankle damage, which not solely opens up Allen’s blind aspect however sidelines Buffalo’s finest offensive lineman.
Dawkins’ seemingly alternative, David Quessenberry, has allowed stress on 7.5% of his pass-blocking snaps this season, in keeping with Pro Football Focus. He ought to see loads of Matt Judon, the NFL’s sack chief. When Judon isn’t threatening the left aspect of Buffalo’s O-line, he ought to discover a good juicier matchup on the suitable aspect.
Second-year proper deal with Spencer Brown has regressed laborious this season, allowed three sacks and stress on 8% of his pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. Just a few of Brown’s allowed pressures have led on to turnovers from Allen, who’s thrown seven picks in his final 5 video games.
Expect the Patriots to isolate Judon towards each tackles by way of sure pre-snap alignments, the place they occupy the closest guard and/or working again to create a 1-on-1 matchup for his or her finest go rusher. Judon has additionally created a number of pressures by way of the usage of two-man stunts, the place he loops inside towards an over-setting deal with. Look for Deatrich Wise and Josh Uche, the Pats’ two different prime go rushers, to create their fair proportion of stress, as nicely.
2. Spy Josh Allen
The reality about containing Josh Allen is there’s no easy resolution.
Take it from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“He’s very dangerous out of the pocket, he’s dangerous in the pocket. So just team defense. Playing with our leverage, using our teammates help, them being where they need to be, being aggressive. He’s a hard guy to get and you can’t just stand there and watch him throw because he’ll throw it pretty good, too. So it’ll be a challenge for us,” he stated.
How the Patriots are making ready to upset the Bills and what else they may strive
One resolution, notably in passing conditions, may very well be the usage of a spy. Mack Wilson is probably the most athletic linebacker the Patriots have ever fielded towards Allen, and he is spied quarterbacks already this season. If Wilson is assigned to spy Allen, the Pats may really feel extra free to bounce between man and zone protection, with out worrying about turning their backs to Allen too typically in man-to-man and danger a scramble.
“He’s fast, he’s very athletic, he gets to a lot of plays,” Belichick stated of Wilson. “One of the faster linebackers that we’ve had, and then probably around the league to tell you the truth. He gets to a lot of plays.”
The Patriots went to date this week as to say they’re treating Allen’s working means as a larger menace than his arm. Allen leads the Bills in dashing and 88% of his scrambles have been profitable this season. So, on passing downs, let Wilson fear about that and let the ten different defenders handle the remainder.
3. Double Stefon Diggs
The Patriots ought to be taught their lesson from final week.
Vikings’ All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson was allowed to make 9 catches for 139 yards and a landing in an in depth Minnesota win. If Diggs is allowed to duplicate that success, the Bills seemingly go away city with a victory.
Diggs has haunted the Patriots lately, overcoming the occasional double groups and the Pats’ prime corners like Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. This time, the man-coverage activity ought to fall to Jonathan Jones, who’s having fun with a profession yr, however repeatedly received beat in Minnesota. Jones ought to obtain common assist towards Diggs, particularly on third down and within the pink zone.
After Allen, the Patriots can’t let the Bills’ second-best offensive participant beat them.
“He’s good at everything,” Belichick stated of Diggs this week. “Good with the ball in his hands, attacks the defense at all three levels, playing with a great quarterback. It’s a good combination.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com