NFL Matchup’s Executive Producer shares notes from his study of Week 15 coaching tape: the Patriots Offense vs. the Broncos Defense.
- First 3rd + long (3rd + 9) the Patriots went 3 WR personnel with Hernandez the only TE, Broncos played “man free” with S Carter; Hernandez 46 yds
- Ochocinco 33 yd TD resulted from a coverage breakdown, Looked like concept was to double Welker with corner Harris and S Carter but Goodman jumped inside v. Ochocinco and was beaten easily over the top with no help due to Welker double
- Cannon played significant snaps at RT in the 5 man OL, and he also played as the 6th OL in the 6 man OL
- Broncos played in their sub-packages on the large majority of the snaps, Nickel LB Woodyard played more than 60 snaps
Tom Brady looks to throw against the Broncos (AP)
- Broncos played a lot of man coverage concepts, At times Woodyard jammed Gronkowski from conventional LOS TE position and had some success
- Broncos also played “Tampa 2” concepts behind both 3 and 4 man rushes in long yardage situations, Showed Brady different looks
- Hernandez ultimate “Joker” for the Patriots, He aligned all over the formation
- Broncos got physical with Gronkowski, especially when he was aligned as a LOS TE
- Brady a lot of quick throws, 3 and 5 step drops; Minimized impact of Miller and Dumervil and Broncos pass rush
- Patriots very multiple with their formations, especially out of their 2 TE personnel package
- Ridley a downhill sustainer with quicker feet and better lateral agility than Green-Ellis, Showed natural power to gain yards after contact – He’s not as experienced in critical situations and therefore is a spot player at this point
- Patriots clearly went after rookie S Carterin the pass game, That’s why it was more of a Hernandez game than a Gronkowski game
Aaron Hernandez celebrates after catching a TD pass (AP)
- Broncos a lot of different man coverage looks with different players for Gronkowski
- A balanced offensive approach by the Patriots; More runs than we usually see, both out of tight formations and spread formations
- Broncos busted the coverage on Gronkowski 38 yds on Patriots 4th quarter TD drive
- This was a very efficient and methodical performance by the Patriots against a multiple Broncos defense
