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<\/a><\/p>\nAnother thing that has given New England\u2019s offense issues is the attention put on Stefon Diggs. Similar to the Chargers game, the Broncos dropped bodies to bracket the veteran wideout especially on third-down.<\/p>\n
Although Seattle doubled Puka Nucua at times last week, they often trust their guys in coverage which could free up Diggs to make a larger impact. If not, New England\u2019s other pass catchers will need to win \u2014 as well as the offensive line, as breakdowns in pass protection also took plays off the board vs. Denver \u2014 and Maye will need to do a better job of getting them the football.<\/p>\n The question on everyone\u2019s minds:<\/p>\n Where do we attack this Seahawks team on offense and defense? They appear to me (very casual analysis) that their offense runs through JSN. Is this accurate? And how do we contain him so that we can force Darnold into tougher decisions with the football? – LandenPatz1<\/p>\n It\u2019s still early in our scouting report process and we\u2019ll have plenty of more in-depth breakdown next week. But upon some initial research and film study here is where we\u2019re at.<\/p>\n On offense, It starts with blocking Mike Macdonald\u2019s pressure package that led to the Seahawks ranking fourth in team pressure rate (38.9 percent) despite finishing 25th in blitz rate. If it can be blocked up front, Seattle has given up a fair share of explosive plays downfield \u2014 with Matthew Stafford 7-of-11 for 226 yards and a touchdown when targeting the deep area of the field in the NFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n Over the playoffs, New England has struggled to generate explosives against a gauntlet of good defenses. That will need to change in order to put up some points against the No. 1 ranked unit.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll be critical,\u201d head coach Mike Vrabel said. \u201cOur ability to create some of those X-plays that maybe we haven\u2019t had as many of and we\u2019ve had in previous games. Whether we hand it off, we\u2019re going to need to gain some chunks, and if we throw it, we\u2019re going to need to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n One other thing we plan to diver deeper into before kickoff: how will a Seattle team that lives in nickel due to talented safety Nick Emmanwori matchup vs. the Patriots six o-line package?<\/p>\n Defensively, for as good as Jaxon Smith-Njigba is, slowing down Seattle starts with stopping the run. While Sam Darnold made plays through the air against the Rams, the Seahawks ran the ball at one of the highest rates this season while living under center and sequencing run action at a high rate.<\/p>\n Slowing down Kenneth Walker and protecting the edges in their zone run scheme will be key, while the Patriots interior pass rushers can then feast on a weaker interior offensive line.<\/p>\n Also, don\u2019t forget special teams and electric returner Rasheed Shaheed. He can flip games, and it would not be a surpirse to see the Patriots kick away from him in a similar fashion as Marvin Mims last week.<\/p>\n What was up with Baringer in Denver? He had me longing for Kenny Walter. People were saying it was by design, but that was scary bad. – NMPatsfan<\/p>\n Speaking of the punts, I\u2019d think Baringer would have liked to have some of his first-half punts back. But the second-half game plan was clear: don\u2019t let Marvin Mims touch the football. At that point \u2014 with the way the Patriots defense was playing and with the conditions (which also raised the punting difficult \u2014 especially in the fourth quarter going into the wind) \u2014 they knew the only way Denver could score was a defense\/special teams touchdown. They then opted to keep the ball away from Mims.<\/p>\n It was encouraging that Campbell had a better day against Denver, but it seems like our best lineup has Ben Brown at LG. Against yet another talented D line anchored by Leonard Williams in the middle, is there any chance at all that Brown sees the field over Jared Wilson (barring an injury)? – Wait for it\u2026<\/p>\n If they didn\u2019t do it after Wilson\u2019s injury they are not going to do it now. Wilson has settled down in pass protection since his return but struggled to get much movement as a puller in the run game against Denver \u2014 but had nice blocks on two 10-plus yard runs. I\u2019d probably stick with him at this point considering this would be Brown\u2019s first action since Week 18.<\/p>\n Any sense at all why Henderson isn\u2019t returning kickoffs? He\u2019s clearly just a change-of-pace back this postseason and it\u2019s too late to be protecting him with everything on the line. He\u2019s far better than any other returner and just might break one. – ed.liebfried<\/p>\n While he has continued to practice there, they removed him from the in-game return spot once Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a toe injury and running back depth was limited. Now in a one-game season for the Super Bowl, would think it\u2019s a possibility he returns to that role.<\/p>\n Should Tom Brady be expecting a one year wait for induction to Canton? Or is this more about BB\u2019s behavior? We all know it had nothing to do with performance. – 1stStateSoxFan<\/p>\n Voters have seemed to point to the flawed voting process and they\u2019ve cast their votes for others who are seemingly overdue. From this point of view, that\u2019s embarrassing and voters should select the most deserving candidate (and nobody is more qualified than Belichick).<\/p>\n As for Brady, he should unquestionably receive all 50 votes. But I wouldn\u2019t be surprised with anything at this point \u2014 the voters don\u2019t deserve the benefit of doubt.<\/p>\n What are the Patriots top 3 needs in the offseason\/draft this year? – mathblaster97<\/p>\n Nothing like some offseason talk with the team in the Super Bowl. But I do think it\u2019s important that they stay aggressive this offseason to improve the roster regardless of the result. So, my top needs at this point (in no order) would be an edge rusher, young offensive tackle, and a pass catcher.<\/p>\n That\u2019s all for this week\u2019s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you\u2019d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines<\/a> and @PatsPulpit<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n