Bill Belichick is inspired by the progress the Patriots offense has proven from week to week. But there’s one space he’s particularly focused to enhance heading into their Week 6 showdown with the Cleveland Browns – the purple zone.
No matter who’s been beneath heart, the Patriots simply haven’t been in a position to land in the long run zone once they’ve had the ball contained in the 20-yard line.
Nick Folk has been cash kicking area targets (5-for-5 in opposition to the Lions), however Belichick wants extra.
“Some things we definitely need to do better. We need to score more points. We need to be better in the red area. We all know that,” Belichick mentioned Wednesday.
The Patriots solely scored one landing in final week’s 29-0 win over the Lions with rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe.
Currently, they’re averaging 20.6 factors per recreation, which places them nineteenth within the league. The Browns, in the meantime, are averaging six extra factors per recreation.
So it behooves the Patriots enhance within the purple zone – formally they have been 0-for-4 in opposition to the Lions – and rating extra touchdowns, as a substitute of getting to depend on area targets. At least, that’s the first focus level.
Along with that, there are different parts within the system for the offense this week.
Here’s how the Patriots can batter the Browns protection.
1. Start quick
The Patriots are significantly better front-runners. With their run recreation, they’re constructed to be higher with a lead, versus having to return from behind.
In final 12 months’s assembly with the Browns, they received an early lead and ran away with the sport, 45-7.
Plus, leaping out to a lead on this recreation will pressure the Browns to go away from what they do finest. Like the Patriots, they excel at operating the soccer.
The Browns have the most effective operating assault within the league behind Nick Chubb, the NFL’s high rusher, and Kareem Hunt.
So in the event that they get the lead, that’ll pressure Jacoby Brissett to place the ball up within the air greater than Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would most likely like.
Part of leaping out to a lead means doing higher within the purple zone, as Belichick prompt. The Patriots enter the sport because the twenty eighth worst group from 20 yards in, scoring solely at a 40% clip.
Improving there ought to assist them construct the required lead and put the Browns in chase mode, which is the place they need them.
2. Pound the rock
The Browns have surrendered greater than 200 dashing yards every of the previous two weeks, together with 238 in final weekend’s 30-28 loss to the Chargers.
They’re fifth-worst within the league in run protection, thanks partially to being challenged on the linebacker place. So the Patriots must proceed to do what they do finest: run the soccer.
They don’t even want Damien Harris, who was restricted all week with a hamstring damage. Last week in opposition to the Lions, Rhamondre Stevenson took over after Harris departed within the first quarter, and primarily had a breakout recreation, dashing for 161 yards.
Stevenson would be the main key in attacking the Browns protection and placing the Patriots in place to attain.
3. Eliminate Garrett
The Browns can get to the quarterback. Usually Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney are a dynamic duo in that division, however Clowney was dominated out Friday.
That means Garrett is the main target.
“Clowney and Garrett are certainly capable of wrecking the game on any play, run, and pass with their explosive speed, length, you name it,” Belichick mentioned. “They’re very dangerous on every play there.”
With Clowney out, the important thing matchup will probably be Trent Brown vs. Garrett. Of late, Brown has been a pressure, whether or not run blocking or cross defending. He’ll must carry his ‘A’ recreation in opposition to Garrett when he’s confronted off with him on his aspect.
Not having to fret about Clowney is a break for the Patriots. But Garrett remains to be bother. That’s why it behooves Brown to get rid of him.
Source: www.bostonherald.com