Take 2: Seahawks vs. Patriots
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this weeks
match ups between the Seahawks and Patriots. Now they're back with a second look.
The biggest reason the Patriots are so efficient in the red zone is their versatility on offense. The addition of RB Corey Dillon has given them an added element near the goal line, as they now can utilize a power running scheme a lot better than they could the last couple of seasons. With that as a threat, the play-action passing series becomes much more effective, because defenses are getting caught over-extending to stop the run.
With a young strong safety like Terreal Bierria, who has been terrific versus the run but still will get caught biting on run fakes from time-to-time, look for the Patriots to utilize a lot of play-fakes in the red zone, which could result in a couple of scoring opportunities for TE Daniel Graham. After four games, the Patriots have scored touchdowns on 9 of 15 trips inside the 20-yard line. If that success continues against the Seahawks on Sunday, they will be tough to beat.
• Against a Seattle team with the potential to score a lot of points, the injuries the Patriots are dealing with at wide receiver are going to be difficult to overcome. Deion Branch (knee) is out, and it doesn't look like Troy Brown (shoulder) is going to be able to play, either.
Bethel Johnson simply hasn't been able to build on the success of his rookie season, and it has frustrated the Patriots' coaching staff so much they made him inactive last week and signed Kevin Kasper to be their No. 3 receiver. David Glvens is a solid starter, but he is going to have a tough matchup against Ken Lucas, who is playing with improved consistency and has the size to get physical with Givens.
On the other side, the Seahawks have a huge advantage with RDC Marcus Trufant matched up against David Patten. Furthermore, nickel DC Bobby Taylor should be able to shut Kasper down. With none of the Seahawk cornerbacks needing double-team help, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes will have the freedom to be as aggressive as he likes with SS Bierria and FS Ken Hamlin.
Patriuots RB Dillon is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but he practiced this week and should be close to 100 percent for Sunday's game. Seattle's run defense has been outstanding, allowing just 84.5 yards per game. However, considering all the injuries the Patriots have at wide receiver, they likely will need Dillon to carry a heavier load than usual. On top of his carries, also look for Dillon - as well as backup RB Kevin Faulk and TE Daniel Graham - to play a big role in the passing game. New England will try to exploit the lack of athletic ability the Seahawks have with Orlando Huff at MLB and Isaiah Kacyvenski at WLB.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
• The nose tackle position is still a concern for the Patriots, with rookie Vince Wilfork starting and veteran Keith Traylor spelling him. When you compare the film from this season to that of the Patriots' run defense last season - with Ted Washington (Raiders) manning the middle of the line - it's impossible not to notice a significant difference.<o></o>
Wilfork continues to improve, but neither player is able to clog the middle like Washington did last season, and both Wilfork and Traylor remain too inconsistent in what needs to be a disciplined two-gap role. With too many blockers able to reach the second level, the Patriots' inside linebackers have to deal with a lot more traffic than they did last season. You can count on the Seahawks testing this potential weakness with RB Shaun Alexander early and often.<o></o>
Special Teams<o></o>
The health of Seattle PT Tom Rouen (hamstring) is a big concern heading into this game. PK Josh Brown has been practicing as a punter this week while Rouen rests his right leg, but there obviously would be a big drop-off in production if Brown had to punt in Rouen's place. It is still unknown whether or not Rouen will be ready to punt by Sunday. If he can't, it would be a big blow for the Seahawks against a Patriots team that does such a good job of controlling the field position battle as it is.<o></o>
The one area of special teams the Seahawks do have an advantage in is the return game, where PR Bobby Engram is a lot more consistent than Patriots' PR Kevin Faulk. The Patriots also have struggled in the KOR game. Bethel Johnson wasn't even active for last week's game because of how ineffective he has been, and Kevin Kasper, signed as a result of all the team's injuries at the receiver, isn't nearly as proven or potentially explosive as Seattle KOR Maurice Morris.<o></o>
Matchups<o></o>
• New England RB LOT Matt Light vs. Seattle RDE Grant Wistrom<o></o>
• New England TE Daniel Graham vs. Seattle SS Terreal Bierria<o></o>
• New England Wide Receivers vs. Seattle Cornerbacks<o></o>
• Seattle WR Darrell Jackson vs. New England LDC Ty Law<o></o>
• Seattle OC Robbie Tobeck vs. New England NT Vince Wilfork<o></o>
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Patriots 23
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this weeks
match ups between the Seahawks and Patriots. Now they're back with a second look.
The biggest reason the Patriots are so efficient in the red zone is their versatility on offense. The addition of RB Corey Dillon has given them an added element near the goal line, as they now can utilize a power running scheme a lot better than they could the last couple of seasons. With that as a threat, the play-action passing series becomes much more effective, because defenses are getting caught over-extending to stop the run.
With a young strong safety like Terreal Bierria, who has been terrific versus the run but still will get caught biting on run fakes from time-to-time, look for the Patriots to utilize a lot of play-fakes in the red zone, which could result in a couple of scoring opportunities for TE Daniel Graham. After four games, the Patriots have scored touchdowns on 9 of 15 trips inside the 20-yard line. If that success continues against the Seahawks on Sunday, they will be tough to beat.
• Against a Seattle team with the potential to score a lot of points, the injuries the Patriots are dealing with at wide receiver are going to be difficult to overcome. Deion Branch (knee) is out, and it doesn't look like Troy Brown (shoulder) is going to be able to play, either.
Bethel Johnson simply hasn't been able to build on the success of his rookie season, and it has frustrated the Patriots' coaching staff so much they made him inactive last week and signed Kevin Kasper to be their No. 3 receiver. David Glvens is a solid starter, but he is going to have a tough matchup against Ken Lucas, who is playing with improved consistency and has the size to get physical with Givens.
On the other side, the Seahawks have a huge advantage with RDC Marcus Trufant matched up against David Patten. Furthermore, nickel DC Bobby Taylor should be able to shut Kasper down. With none of the Seahawk cornerbacks needing double-team help, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes will have the freedom to be as aggressive as he likes with SS Bierria and FS Ken Hamlin.
Patriuots RB Dillon is listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but he practiced this week and should be close to 100 percent for Sunday's game. Seattle's run defense has been outstanding, allowing just 84.5 yards per game. However, considering all the injuries the Patriots have at wide receiver, they likely will need Dillon to carry a heavier load than usual. On top of his carries, also look for Dillon - as well as backup RB Kevin Faulk and TE Daniel Graham - to play a big role in the passing game. New England will try to exploit the lack of athletic ability the Seahawks have with Orlando Huff at MLB and Isaiah Kacyvenski at WLB.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>• The nose tackle position is still a concern for the Patriots, with rookie Vince Wilfork starting and veteran Keith Traylor spelling him. When you compare the film from this season to that of the Patriots' run defense last season - with Ted Washington (Raiders) manning the middle of the line - it's impossible not to notice a significant difference.<o
></o>Wilfork continues to improve, but neither player is able to clog the middle like Washington did last season, and both Wilfork and Traylor remain too inconsistent in what needs to be a disciplined two-gap role. With too many blockers able to reach the second level, the Patriots' inside linebackers have to deal with a lot more traffic than they did last season. You can count on the Seahawks testing this potential weakness with RB Shaun Alexander early and often.<o
></o>Special Teams<o
></o>The health of Seattle PT Tom Rouen (hamstring) is a big concern heading into this game. PK Josh Brown has been practicing as a punter this week while Rouen rests his right leg, but there obviously would be a big drop-off in production if Brown had to punt in Rouen's place. It is still unknown whether or not Rouen will be ready to punt by Sunday. If he can't, it would be a big blow for the Seahawks against a Patriots team that does such a good job of controlling the field position battle as it is.<o
></o>The one area of special teams the Seahawks do have an advantage in is the return game, where PR Bobby Engram is a lot more consistent than Patriots' PR Kevin Faulk. The Patriots also have struggled in the KOR game. Bethel Johnson wasn't even active for last week's game because of how ineffective he has been, and Kevin Kasper, signed as a result of all the team's injuries at the receiver, isn't nearly as proven or potentially explosive as Seattle KOR Maurice Morris.<o
></o>Matchups<o
></o>• New England RB LOT Matt Light vs. Seattle RDE Grant Wistrom<o
></o>• New England TE Daniel Graham vs. Seattle SS Terreal Bierria<o
></o>• New England Wide Receivers vs. Seattle Cornerbacks<o
></o>• Seattle WR Darrell Jackson vs. New England LDC Ty Law<o
></o>• Seattle OC Robbie Tobeck vs. New England NT Vince Wilfork<o
></o>Prediction: Seahawks 24, Patriots 23
