Lamar Jackson Exposed The Patriots For What They Are… SLOW
It’s overreaction day in the NFL. If your team lost, you’re done. If your team won, you’re winning the Super Bowl. That’s pretty much how casual fans operate. What you should do is define the takeaways that matter. One of the more shocking games (not really that shocking in reality) was watching the New England Patriots get pummeled by the Ravens 37-20 on Sunday Night Football. A defense that was killing people all year got demolished. Why exactly did New England look so bad? Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense were able to expose the Patriots for what they are… SLOW.
If you have been following my Madden series, then you already know the formula to beat the Patriots. Get them out in space. It’s not that hard. I know it’s just a video game but the formula still applies. If you want to watch those videos, I’ll share the link where you can enjoy it.
Yes, it’s a video game. I get it. Not quite the same. Still, there is a formula to beat the Patriots. One that is rarely duplicated. Most coaches are too simple-minded to drastically change their gameplans from week to week. The teams that have given New England trouble usually have the same thing in common. They’re able to get New England out in space.
Most of them come from the Andy Reid coaching tree. An offense that really spreads things out. Andy Reid has always given the Patriots problems. The 2019 playoff game was a total shootout. New England can only take so many pieces away. The ones they can’t often run wild because they’re too fast. Doug Pederson put up 41 on New England in the Super Bowl. What did Philly do so well? How about get Corey Clement in space? Chicago can’t move the ball to save their life with Mitch Trubisky. They put up 31 against New England. Why? Speed. John Harbaugh has always given New England problems. Baltimore has something New England can never truly counter… speed.
Having a quarterback that can run changes the math. It gives you an extra blocker on every play. The Patriots have thrived getting downhill and winning their matchups. Doing your job. Well, the numbers change when you have an extra blocker. The Patriots failed to take it into consideration. When is the last time they looked that confused on defense?
Dan Orlovsky does a really nice job breaking down the tape. Baltimore used the 3 tight end set pretty much all night. More importantly, all three guys can catch, run, and block. That means they’re interchangeable. Greg Roman designed different actions based on the defender in their zone read look. Roman did what you should do against New England. Get your guys in space. It’s a great gameplan. Forget about Lamar Jackson for a second. Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy can’t run with these tight ends. Even Stephon Gillmore can’t run with Hollywood Brown. New England is a well coached team. You know what you can’t teach? Speed. The Patriots have no answer for the Ravens because they don’t have the players to run with them.
Let’s give John Harbaugh some credit. He’s beaten New England on a number of occasions. Often times with Joe Flacco too. Look, I’ve been on record for not being high on Lamar Jackson. I stand by it. I don’t think it’s sustainable long term. No team has ever reached the Super Bowl with a quarterback as it’s leading rusher. Jackson will do that for Baltimore. The Patriots have dominated first and second year quarterbacks. The last one to beat New England was Colin Kaepernick. The formula was the EXACT same. A Harbaugh at head coach. A running quarterback running the zone read. Greg Roman as the offensive coordinator. Tight ends that can run, block, and catch. Kaepernick flamed out of the league too.
This is spot on by Eric Mangini:
I don’t believe Lamar Jackson is Michael Vick but maybe he’s closer than I thought he was to him. Still, Jackson really hasn’t proven anything until he can throw the ball. Even against New England, Jackson threw for 163 yards. I don’t see any sort of playoff success here. I don’t think Baltimore can win any game from behind. The Ravens will be less and less successful the more teams that get a second look at this offense. Every team outside of Cincinnati that has gotten a 2nd look at the Ravens has won. Kansas City, Cleveland, and the LA Chargers beat up on the Ravens after seeing this offense a 2nd time. Who are you taking if the Ravens and Patriots play again in the playoffs? Yeah, exactly.
Nevertheless, give John Harbaugh and the Ravens credit. While I think he’s delusional for running this offense, he’s done everything in his power to put Lamar Jackson in a position to thrive. So far, he’s doing that. At least on the ground. If you want to beat the Patriots, the formula isn’t hard to understand. Get them out in space. They can’t run with anybody.
