New England Patriots: The Key to Super Bowl 51 is Play Like Super Bowl 36
In just about an hour, the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons will square off in Super Bowl LI. Pats fans should rejoice, there are some Super Bowl XXXVI comparisons to be made.
The New England Patriots can use a strategy the’ve used in Super Bowl’s before to disrupt the high powered Atlanta Falcons offense. In Super Bowl 36, the Patriots were facing off against the Greatest Show on Turf. The New England defenses physicality was able to limit Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt and Marshall Faulk en route to their first title.
Sunday’s matchup features Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and a running back tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Reaching back to the strategy of 15 years ago, the Patriots can disrupt Matt Ryan’s weapons.
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In Super Bowl 36, Bruce and Holt were held to 56 and 49 yards respectively. Marshall Faulk caught just 4 passes out of the backfield while rushing for just 76 yards. New England’s defense, with Tedy Bruschi, Ty Law and co., was physical from the get go.
As soon as Faulk left the backfield on a passing route, he was knocked down. Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt were jammed at the line and taken off their routes. While times have changed and so have NFL rules, Matt Patricia, Dont’a Hightower and Logan Ryan can utilize their physicality to make a difference. The 2001 defense was also able to create turnovers, with Law and Otis Smith each taking in an interception.
Logan Ryan should be matched up on stud wideout Julio Jones today, with safety help over the top from Devin McCourty. If Patricia and Bill Belichick truly believe in DMac’s skills, Ryan should have the go ahead to attempt jamming Jones on the line. Malcolm Butler then, should have the same opportunity to do so while matched up on Mohamed Sanu.
Defensive ends Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long and Rob Ninkovich should break off the pass rush as soon as they see an Atlants back go out for a pass, and knock him clean off his feet.
The New England Patriots have the opportunity to make a difference and change the pace of the game. If they are physical, and can create turnovers in critical situations, Pats Nation will be celebrating another championship.
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The Super Bowl kicks off at 6:30PM EST at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.