The Official Week 6 Thread: Patriots at the Sandy Eggo

[Basketball Jesus]

Back when the 2008 schedules were released – a bucolic and wonderful time when men were men and Tom Brady had two functioning knees – Week 6 was expected to be the first true test the Patriots would face on their road to redemption. The Chargers, rivals in a vitriolic war of words, were entering the season yet again as a strong Super Bowl contender and the Patriots were coming off a smarting loss to the New Jersey Giants in Super Bowl XLII and ready to exact some kind of revenge on the rest of the league. This was slated to be one of the biggest games of the early season. But then…well, injuries are a hell of a drug.

The Patriots without Tom Brady, the Chargers with about 90% of their team suffering some sort of injury and suddenly this game becomes more of a mild curiosity than a battle of heavyweights. Still, missing personnel and records aside, these are two of the better teams in the NFL.

Some thoughts on the game


- Even without everybody’s favorite petulant steroids-abusing linebacker, and even with Jyles Tucker questionable for Sunday, the Chargers have a ferociously strong and quick pass rush. Shaun Phillips, underrated thanks in part to Merriman’s presence, is excellent in recognizing and exploiting the gaps created by the three superlative linemen up front. If the right side had troubles containing the Niners last week, they’re going to have their hands full on Sunday trying to stop the muscle up front and then preventing the speed rush coming in over the top of that. This game is going to be very, very ugly if Matt Cassel can’t complete passes underneath in quick drops. He doesn’t have the pocket presence or confidence to stand up in a collapsing pocket and the Chargers are too disciplined a defense to overpursue downfield and leave a running lane open for Cassel. You may see the Patriots run shotgun formations more often to give Cassel that extra space and time to get off passes.

- The Patriots secondary should be thanking Jobu that Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson may be held out of Sunday’s game. While Chambers may stand a generous 5-11, he and the 6-5 Jackson are a physical big-body duo that would be a match-up nightmare for the more agile and speedy Patriots secondary. With Tomlinson expected in the backfield and Gates expected in the line-up, Rodney Harrison will probably see more time in the box than he was against the Niners last week. Losing him on deep routes leaves Brandon Meriwether and James Sanders as the only two truly physical backs in the secondary. Ellis Hobbs has been doing his best Asante Samuel impression the season; the only problem is he’s headlining a one-player farce, impersonating Samuel’s worst qualities.

- Jerod Mayo has been impressive thus far through four games. For a rookie linebacker playing in a complex defense which flows through the linebacker position, Mayo has seemed to pick up the nuances of the game rather quickly. He’ll disappear at times (like last weekend against San Francisco) but overall, he’s displayed sound technique, especially in picking up the run.

- I think this game will be decided on consistency instead of random big plays. I don't see LDT breaking off any huge runs nor do I see any Randy Moss 80 yard specials. Just grinding, old-time football.

[FakeScreenName123]

yeah, about this game.


Matt Cassel needs to go away.

[JellosJigglin]

good game.