Patriots Running the Ball
- 12th in Yards/Game (123.2).
- 10th in Yards/Carry (4.4).
- 12th in Rush TDs (4).
- 1st in Runs for 1st downs (30.2%).
- 8th in Runs for 20+ Yards (5).
- 1st in Fumbles (0).
Does this team blow anyone else's mind? Their current running back situation could be summed up by saying "BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead", and yet they're fielding one of the best and most efficient running attacks in all of football. I wanted to compliment their Offensive Coordinator on an excellent job, but found something odd.....the New England Patriots have neither an Offensive Coordinator or a Defensive Coordinator.
The closest I could find in their roster of coaches was "Offensive Assistant" Brian Ferentz, who undoubtedly has great genetics, and so I will praise him and Bill Belichick (who probably runs every part of the team down to the laundry and never sleeps a wink) for somehow having a great running attack that probably costs the team $150 a game to field.
Chargers Stopping the Run
- 6th in Yards/Game allowed (91.5), up from 7th last week.
- 6th in Yards/Carry allowed (3.7), up from 8th last week.
- 9th in Rush TDs allowed (3), down from 6th last week.
- 8th in Runs for 1st downs against (19.3%), up from 10th last week.
- 5th in Runs for 20+ Yards allowed (2), up from 6th last week.
- 27th in Fumbles recovered (1), down from 25th last week.
This running game may be the best test of the Chargers new-found run-stopping defensive line. If they can continue to be a top 5-10 run defense, that would certainly make it easier for Norv & Co. to right the ship.
On a side note, the only category here in which the Chargers look less-the-stellar is in recovered fumbles. This is somewhat of an anomaly because they've done a decent job of forcing fumbles over the season, just not recovering them.
Advantage: Chargers.
Patriots Throwing the Ball
- 14th in Yards/Game (231.0)
- 12th in Yards/Attempt (7.2)
- 5th in TDs (10)
- 11th in Passes for 1st down (34.9%)
- 11th in Passes for 20+ yards (17)
- 5th in Sacks taken (8)
- 8th in Interceptions thrown (4)
Usually a tough guy to get to, Tom Brady has been sacked 3 times in each other his last two games. That means that not all hope is lost on the Chargers getting pressure on him and maybe forcing him into making a mistake (he threw 2 interceptions last week against the Ravens).
The Patriots passing attack is not dangerous, but is hard to stop. There will not be a lot of big plays, especially with Randy Moss gone, but it is difficult to keep them from converting on 3rd down. This will be a great test for not only Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason, but also Donald Strickland and Paul Oliver. having Steve Gregory for this game would've helped.
Chargers Defending the Pass
- 1st in Yards/Game allowed (163.7), up from 3rd last week.
- 3rd in Yards/Attempt (6.1), down from 2nd last week.
- 4th in TDs allowed (5), up from 5th last week.
- 3rd in Passes for 1st downs allowed (29.4%), same as last week.
- 3rd in Passes for 20+ yards allowed (11), same as last week.
- 2nd in Sacks (21), up from 4th last week.
- 7th in Interceptions (7), down from 5th last week.
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