{"id":96827,"date":"2022-01-06T22:28:41","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T03:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96827"},"modified":"2022-01-07T10:30:30","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T15:30:30","slug":"patriots-game-plan-dolphins-defense-is-perfect-playoff-tune-up-for-mac-jones-pats-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/patriots-game-plan-dolphins-defense-is-perfect-playoff-tune-up-for-mac-jones-pats-offense\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Game Plan: Dolphins Defense is Perfect Playoff Tune-Up For Mac Jones, Pats Offense"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots completed the first step with their get-right playoff-clinching blowout over the Jaguars last week, but there&#8217;s still plenty of work to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England is in the dance, and although they\u2019ll need some help from unlikely sources to improve their seeding, Bill Belichick isn\u2019t focused on resting up for Wild Card weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The focus now turns to sharpening execution in the regular-season finale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cTry to just stay on track with what we\u2019ve been doing. I think when we had good weeks of preparation, practice, energy into the game, mindset, however all that comes together, we\u2019ve been a lot better than when we haven\u2019t. We\u2019re going to just try to build that consistency,\u201d Belichick told reporters on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cIt\u2019ll be a good opportunity for us to try and hone in on our fundamentals, our execution, and our communication. Worry about next week, next week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots\u2019 head coach recognizes something we all see with this team: they play well and usually win when they\u2019re fully bought into the task at hand. As a result, letting the foot off the gas and treating the season-finale as a bye week would be a mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Belichick also mentioned that the Dolphins are a familiar opponent. He didn\u2019t say it directly but alluded to playing Miami as a great tune-up game in the final dress rehearsal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miami\u2019s playoff hopes were shattered when they let go of the rope against the Titans, ending a seven-game winning streak last week that saw them recover from a 1-7 start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, from both personnel and schematic standpoints, Brian Flores&#8217;s defense is as good a unit as the Patriots will face the rest of the way. Flores runs a pressure-based scheme that majors in man coverage with two elite cover corners, so the Pats will see plenty of press-man and man blitzes in Sunday\u2019s finale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Dolphins have faced the sixth-most pass attempts in cover one man structures and have the second-highest cover zero (7.1%) and blitz rate (39.8%) in the NFL this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-1\" width=\"788\" height=\"441\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DolphinsFiveManPressure.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DolphinsFiveManPressure.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DolphinsFiveManPressure.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, Miami plays press-man free (cover one) with a five-man pass rush, which gets Ryan Tannehill to slide the offensive line to the blitz threats on the right side of the formation. The protection slide leaves the running back one-on-one with linebacker Jerome Baker, and with no initial separation for his receivers, Tannehill is sacked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-2\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DolphinsBracketAJ.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DolphinsBracketAJ.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DolphinsBracketAJ.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Flores might prefer to commit numbers to the pass rush rather than bracketing any of the Pats\u2019 pass catchers, but if he so chooses, Miami also plays man coverage with a cover-7 call where they\u2019ll use a deep safety to bracket the slot. In this case, the double-team goes to A.J. Brown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Since Flores, like Belichick, doesn\u2019t play much two-man as the Bills did in Week 16. Cover-7 might be Flores\u2019 way of leveraging in-breaking routes on third down in a similar vein to two-man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones\u2019s numbers against man coverage are better than you might expect (fourth in EPA per play), but the Bills\u2019 blueprint in Week 16 is looming come playoff time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Against the blitz, Jones has faced the second-most blitzed drop-backs of any quarterback in 2021, and his passer rating is only 18th out of 30 qualified quarterbacks (87.9).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jones and the Pats offense ought to use Sunday\u2019s game as a warm-up for the likely game plan they\u2019ll see next week from whoever they draw in the first round: man coverage and pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tennessee gave the Patriots a starting point by hanging 34 points on the Miami defense a week ago, the most the Dolphins allowed in a game since they played Tom Brady back in Week 5.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Titans ran the football against Miami, who is 20th in expected points allowed per rush and had issues with Tennessee&#8217;s outside zone schemes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although the Patriots aren\u2019t big on outside zone, the main target in the running game for Tennessee was old friend Elandon Roberts, who is the MIKE linebacker for Miami. Roberts is often one of the only players at the second level of the defense, so move him out of the gap, and big runs present themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-3\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENWildcat.mp4?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENWildcat.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENWildcat.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On this wildcat run with D\u2019Onta Foreman, the Titans ran a counter scheme with the tight end coming across the formation to kick out the unblocked end. Foreman catches Roberts over pursuing to the pullers and cuts it back inside to a massive hole for a long gainer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-4\" width=\"788\" height=\"441\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENDoubleIn.mp4?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENDoubleIn.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENDoubleIn.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When the Titans threw the ball, they used play-action to hold the linebacker level from dropping in the way of in-breaking routes. A.J. Brown runs the inside dig route in the double-dig concept above, and with the corner out-leveraged, there\u2019s no help defender to close off the middle of the field.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England loves double dig and will attack out-leveraged defenders. They\u2019ll also try to open the middle of the field with their backs flaring into the flats and present single coverage to Jones between the numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But what if the Dolphins break their tendency and play inside leverage on the receivers as Buffalo did in Week 16?<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-5\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/MacUnderPressure.mp4?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/MacUnderPressure.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/MacUnderPressure.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In that case, the Pats need to prepare themselves for the playoffs by trusting Jones and his pass-catchers to win on out-breaking routes towards the sideline. Above, Jakobi Meyers recognizes the corner sitting inside him at the snap and runs a pivot route away from leverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Titans also gave the Patriots some good tips on beating Miami\u2019s pressure package.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tennessee protected Tannehill against a 78.9% blitz rate by moving the pocket when Miami threatened to dial up all-out pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-6\" width=\"788\" height=\"445\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENZeroBlitzScreen.mp4?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENZeroBlitzScreen.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TENZeroBlitzScreen.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, the Dolphins line up in a zero pressure look, so Tannehill checks into a running back screen. He moves back and to his right at the snap to suck in the pressure and buy himself more time to throw, then throws over the blitz to the wide-open back for a huge gain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-7\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PocketRolloutvsBlitz.mp4?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PocketRolloutvsBlitz.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PocketRolloutvsBlitz.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miami sends a safety blitz off the right edge at Tannehill in this play. The Titans move the pocket in the opposite direction and give him a quick out past the sticks to move the chains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After blitzing Tannehill all game, and coming after Mac 21 times in the opener, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels needs to give Jones problem-solving tools to beat the blitz.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If the Patriots can find ways to move the ball against the Dolphins&#8217; defense, they\u2019ll be in good shape heading into the postseason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WHEN THE DOLPHINS HAVE THE BALL\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although it feels like a lifetime ago, the Patriots&#8217; defense didn\u2019t get off to the start they wanted when they made life way too easy on Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense back in Week 1.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ultimately, New England\u2019s defense only allowed 17 points to Miami, and the whole team was a Damien Harris fumble on the Pats\u2019 final possession away from a win back in September.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Still, we all remember Tua going five-of-nine for 68 yards on RPO concepts and slant-routing the Patriots defense to death in critical situations (three completions, 40 yards on slants).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dolphins co-offensive coordinators George Godsey and Eric Studesville lead the league in RPO pass attempts, with 83 of them this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-8\" width=\"788\" height=\"445\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/WaddleCurlFlatRPO.mp4?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/WaddleCurlFlatRPO.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/WaddleCurlFlatRPO.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Looking back at the film from Week 1, the first mistake the Patriots made against Miami\u2019s RPO package was playing off the line of scrimmage in cover three zone. As shown above, that gave Miami\u2019s speedy skill players such as Jaylen Waddle too much cushion and YAC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-9\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SlantFlatRPO.mp4?_=9\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SlantFlatRPO.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SlantFlatRPO.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For a more recent example, the Giants succumbed similarly to RPO slant\/flat combos just a few weeks ago by playing soft zone against them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Expect aggressive man coverage and two-deep zones to combat the RPO and quick-game concepts that are the foundation of Miami&#8217;s offense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Despite having downfield threats in Waddle and DeVante Parker, Tua is one of the worst passers in the NFL beyond ten air yards with only one touchdown pass on 97 throws.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-96883\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-07-at-10.25.46-AM-300x134.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-07-at-10.25.46-AM-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-07-at-10.25.46-AM-150x67.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-07-at-10.25.46-AM-450x201.png 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-07-at-10.25.46-AM.png 570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Although it&#8217;s easier said than done with Miami&#8217;s scheme, making Tua hold the ball and make downfield throws later in the down yields great results for the defense. As the chart above shows, <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tagovailoa is simply not a good passer when he isn&#8217;t getting the ball out quickly, and his turnover-worthy play rate on throws over 2.5 seconds is the second-highest among 32 qualified quarterbacks this season (8.2%).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Playing press-man or cover-two will allow the Pats to flood the field with short zones or smother shorter routes, basically the opposite of what they did in Week 1, forcing Tua to hold the ball and beat them deep.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-10\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TuaBouncePass.mp4?_=10\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TuaBouncePass.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TuaBouncePass.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Even in one of his best games of the season against the Giants, Tua was bouncing downfield throws to his receivers beyond ten yards, especially when his feet weren\u2019t set due to pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Plus, the weakness in the Dolphins&#8217; offense is their offensive line, which takes the majority of the blame for Miami\u2019s inability to run vertical passing concepts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96827-11\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TuaStuntSack.mp4?_=11\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TuaStuntSack.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/TuaStuntSack.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miami is 32nd in PFF pass-blocking grade and ESPN\u2019s pass-block win rate. In particular, we saw them struggle with picking up different stunt schemes by defensive fronts on the film.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The matchups with Waddle and Parker are scary, but our money is on the fact that Tua isn\u2019t going to consistently beat the Patriots down the field or get the protection he needs to do so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">KEY MATCHUPS\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1. The Entire Pats Defense vs. Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The entire defense needs to be locked in on Waddle, who will likely set a new rookie record for receptions. The Dolphins use Waddle in various ways, from motion play, decoy motions, underneath routes that lead to YAC, and over the top on verticals. If the Pats play man, it wouldn\u2019t surprise me if Waddle gets bracketed by Jalen Mills and a safety with J.C. Jackson on Parker. They need multiple defenders around Waddle at all times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2. Pats DT Christian Barmore vs. Dolphins LG Austin Jackson<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Several matchups favor the Pats\u2019 defensive front against Miami\u2019s O-Line. But without knowing Judon\u2019s workload, let\u2019s go with Barmore vs. their weakest IOL in Jackson. Tua isn\u2019t the tallest quarterback either, so pressure up the middle even by getting hands in passing lanes will be a factor this week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3. Pats WR Nelson Agholor vs. Dolphins CBs Xavien Howard &amp; Byron Jones<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Assuming that Agholor returns, I\u2019m interested to see how much his return factors into opening up the passing game against a good secondary. Even if Agholor isn\u2019t targeted, does he draw the top cover guys and even safety help over the top? The Pats need a field-stretcher who makes it easier to access the intermediate areas of the field. Hopefully, Agholor is the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Patriots completed the first step with their get-right playoff-clinching blowout over the Jaguars last week, but there&#8217;s still plenty of work to do. New England is in the dance, and although they\u2019ll need some help from unlikely sources to improve their seeding, Bill Belichick isn\u2019t focused on resting up for Wild Card weekend. The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":96841,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3537,3539],"tags":[392,210],"class_list":["post-96827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-home-featured-banner","category-nfl-featured-banner","tag-dolphins","tag-patriots"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Patriots Game Plan: Dolphins Defense is Perfect Playoff Tune-Up For Mac Jones, Pats Offense - CLNS Media<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Brian Flores&#039;s defense is as good a unit as the Patriots will face the rest of the way and will play a familiar style against the Pats offense.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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