ChazStandard Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Week 4 is here and the Panthers are coming into Foxborough. The last time these two teams met was in week 11 of 2013. The Panthers came away victorious thanks largely to two things. One, the Pats' defense inability to contain Newton in the pocket. And two, the fact that serious NFL refs, people with normal functioning eyes, decided THIS was NOT pass interference: Most egregiously, they actually threw the flag, then picked it up and ran off the field without explanation. It was one of the most infuriating ends to a game I can remember. Winning that game would have meant the 1 seed in the AFC, which would have meant no visit to Mile High in the AFCCG, and likely another Superbowl appearance. The Broncos getting mauled by the Seahawks in 2013, and the two Patriot Superbowl victories since, have salved that would slightly. But only slightly. Back to the present, and though 4 years have gone by, the deciding factors of this game will likely be identical. 1. Can the Patriots contain Newton? Last week the Pats defense displayed their time-honoured tradition of letting mobile QBs escape the pocket, extend the play, and either run for a big gain or find an open man for a long pass-play. This was how the defense played Newton in 2013 as well. You have to expect the Pats defense has been watching a lot of film of that game. Scheme won't really be the deciding factor - the question is do the Patriots have any one at LB athletic enought to spy Newton and stop him making plays with his legs? Along side this, the Panthers drafted Christian McCaffrey, who is exactly the kind of shifty back that often give the Patriots trouble. With Greg Olsen on IR with a broken foot, the offense will likely rely on McCaffrey catching passes to make plays through the air. How a slow linebacking corps. handles this will be an important question. 2. Can the Panthers disrupt the Pats' passing offense? The Panthers defense played well the first 2 weeks of the seaon - against, admittedly, not very strong opposition. Last week New Orleans scored 35 points against them though, making plays on the ground and through the air. It's hard to say, at this point, which is the true reflection of their ability. With Josh Norman in DC, the secondary is definitely the weakness of a Carolina defense that features a good DL and an exceptional LB corps. With all that said, let's get this show on the road. Go Pats! EDIT: In doing some Patriots-Panthers related googling, I found that the entire broadcast of the 2013 game is on youtube. It's here if anyone wants to watch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggbrd Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Voted Patriots in a close one. Gronk with the game-winner for poetic justice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChazStandard Posted September 30, 2017 Author Share Posted September 30, 2017 Rex Burkhead was back at practice yesterday - which means the Pats had full team participation. Pats' and Panthers' friday injury report is on patspulpit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadpulse Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I doubt Burkhead plays, but Cannon and Rowe are likely as well as High. We might actually be completely healthy on D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmurtry86 Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Pats D will give up a few annoying plays but New England rolls to a 27-13 victory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChazStandard Posted September 30, 2017 Author Share Posted September 30, 2017 58 minutes ago, mcmurtry86 said: Pats D will give up a few annoying plays but New England rolls to a 27-13 victory I tend to agree, there'll be at least one 3rd and long blown assignment on a McCaffrey screen or dump-off, and probably a couple of Newton scrambles, but I don't see them having the offense to keep up with NE. Especially not at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadpulse Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I dont think Cam gives us the same problems as Watson did. For whatever reason, I don't think he will slip away nearly as much. Maybe its because he hasnt really passed the eye test this season, and maybe its because of the rumblings that he isnt 100%, but something feels off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soko Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Cam’s escapability/the Pats’ lack of athleticism in the front 7 allows him to keep it closer than it ought to be, but Pats ulatimately secure the W. 31-27, Patriots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter2_1 Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I hated that game against Carolina. That was when Talib couldn't control his rage, and abandoned actually being a football player in favour of dishing out some revenge. The no call at the end. The inability to control Cam (I can't stand him and I can't stand mobile QBs....so frustrating). I love Luke K, but I do hope we put a 40 burger on this mob But I'll go something like 24-20. Another frustrating outing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggbrd Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Woohoo, gameday! Well, almost for me. At work on night shift, hopefully not too busy so I can watch tonight. Really excited to see the D play a good game and make us all feel a bit better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter2_1 Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 So Cam has the worst accuracy in terms of putting the ball on the frame of a receiver in short yardage passing and screen plays. However, he still has one of the best deep balls (in terms of accuracy), so we can't give him the 3.4 seconds we have been affording QBs. Cover downfield and let them have the underneath, I'd say. (Our GP vs Pitts last season). Pass rush HAS to be better, but then we also need to contain him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP3MVP Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 I'm still mad about that no call. Gronk gets mugged all game every game and the refs allow it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadpulse Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 9 minutes ago, CP3MVP said: I'm still mad about that no call. Gronk gets mugged all game every game and the refs allow it Let's be fair, he gets away with a lot too because guys play him that way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iothar Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 It goes both ways for gronk for sure, but I do feel like he gets jobbed quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pats#1 Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 51 minutes ago, iothar said: It goes both ways for gronk for sure, but I do feel like he gets jobbed quite a bit. It's honestly the same line of thinking Refs use with Newton. He's bigger and stronger so he should be able to take it. Definitely frustrating at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.