How can we pull it off?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

The Redskins need time-consuming drives that payoff with TDs. If you can hold the ball for 7 or 8 minutes on a drive and then pay that off with 7 points, it's a great equalizer. It is the only way to keep the game in the 20s. If you allow the Patriots to have 11 or 12 posessions, they are going to score 6 to 8 touchdowns. The problem, of course, is that the Redskins can't run the ball very well right now, and Bellichek will have an easy time forcing mistakes out of Campbell with all his defensive schemes. The other problem is that the Patriots have (almost) no history of making mistakes or turning the ball over.

The last time we played them, in 2003, Brady threw (I think) 3 picks and Kevin Faulk fumbled. I think Champ was responsible for several of those and I think that might be the last time the Patriots did such a thing. They also had about 7 injured starters and the game was here at Fedex. We squeaked out a victory. So, we need to play perfect which doesn't seem like a rational expectation based on yesterday and we need them to make some mistakes which doesn't seem like a rational expectation based on the last 5 to 6 years. I would say the Patriots should be 12 or 14 point favorites, at least.

People always say we need this person or that person to step up. This week we need, to borrow a phrase, "every swinging soul" we've got to step up and play their best game ever. And a driving rainstorm of biblical proportions wouldn't hurt either. Or, maybe some serious fog like that Eagles playoff game in 1988.

That first line is the key. Having time consuming drives is not enough, they have to end in the endzone. Field goals won't cut it.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Bench Campbell and start Brunell.

Can we play this game on a curve?

Actually I heard somone this a.m. talking about the game. They suggested we treat is as the last pre-season game, and rest the entire first unit. We would lose anyway, and the team would be fresh for the rest of the season with no NEW injuries.

[Rajmahal33]

Originally Posted by Cowell

I think we would be most successful if we just didn't show up at the stadium .

But honestly, we need to pressure Brady to even have a chance. I think if we get Marcus Washington back our chances of beating the Patriots greatly go up. You know I hate to say this but we don't stand much of a chance, but neither does the rest of the NFL. The Patriots look like they are the best team assembled since the salary cap was implemented.

I don't think people remember how good the broncos the second time around were. I think they definitely had a better defense and john elway was playing better than brady (not statistically, but from a game winning standpoint).

[dgack]

We ought to let Saunders run every circus play he has against New England, if for no other reason than just to get some real game practice with them. That means ARE throwing for a TD, direct snap to Portis, etc.

And then we hope the defense can make something happen.

[dgack]

Oh, and book it right now. This New England team is not as good as they look. They've played a lot of cupcake teams, and I think Indy is going to thump them good.

People are just caught up in the cult of personality on that team. Between Mr. GQ / Supermodel Impregnator Brady, Ol' Grumpy Sweats Belichick, and Randy "Reformed" Moss, there are more media magnets than you can shake a stick at, and we haven't even gotten to the defense.

Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl Champs are inexplicably "under the radar".

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Play mistake free boring football. You don't want to get in a shootout with these guys if you can avoid it. Get Betts and Portis the ball early and often.

NE is sturdy up front and we are not going to go in and run them over. It's just not going to happen. That ball control Gibbs 1 crap is not going to work against NE. We had better try and challenge these guys in the air game. Cooley should be able to have a big day against Harrison. Harrison could not cover Witten one bit.

Plus NE is the best coached team in the NFL. They are not going to let us run the ball. They are going to make us try and throw it cause they know we don't like throwing it.

[Stacks42]

Our D needs to play all 4 quarters, I really think that the skins can win this one. No one is giving the skins a chance. NE has not played a great D yet this year they have played:
Jets, Chargers, Bills, Bengals, Browns, Cowboys and Dolphins. 4 of the six have the worst defenses in the league. We control the game with our D and our running game and force Brady to make mistakes. The browns even with a crappy defense showed you can shut down R. Moss, and we have the corners to shut down the other two WR (Stallworth, Walker). I think McIntosh will have a HUGE game, and hope that M. Washington is back.

[#56fanatic]

If we keep it with in 14 isn't that a victory?
honestly, I have no clue how to stop NE. now with Maroney back their running game is very tough. I say we take our chances and bring pressure. Brady is very accurate when given the time in the pocket. Those 15-20 yard seem routes are always open with the cover 2/3 we play. That will be like taking candy from a baby with the receivers they have. Disrupt his timing with blitz's from every direction, play up on the receivers at the line to disrupt their routes and hope we can get to him before he gets the ball off. Offensively, spread them out w/ 3 or 4 wide outs, make the LBs cover our quicker receivers & cooley, mix in some runs and screens and try to score 50.

[dmek25]

they are kind of like the rams from a couple of years ago. for some reason, they just will not run the ball. and that power house rams offense? i seem to remember an average skins team going into St Louis on a Monday night, and coming away with a win. i think the skins can win. and Matty, please pass the kool aid

[Hog1]

Another order of Kool aide here as well!

Keep everybody back in coverage with extra DB or LB help. Force them to beat us on the ground. Keep our O on the field pounding the ball. Finish off the drives with 6.
Keep their O off the field
Our D is the best thay have faced this year.
Lately, they have been vulnerable against the run(if they did not put up 60 points a game).
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can