New England Patriots: W2W4 Divisional Playoff Game vs Los Angeles Chargers
By Hal Bent
NE RUSHING OFFENSE vs LAC RUSH DEFENSE
The New England Patriots have become a true rush-centered offense in 2018 behind first-round draft pick Sony Michel. Michel rushed for 931 yards despite being slowed early in the season with a knee injury and then another injury during the middle of the season. Fellow running back James White picked up the slack while he was absent, posing a career-high 425 yards rushing.
Adding to that depth at running back is ex-Cincinnati Bengal Rex Burkhead. A threat receiving and running the ball, Burkhead missed a chunk of the season with a neck/concussion injury. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels loves utilizing Burkhead, because it allows his offense to avoid tipping off the defense as to whether the play is a designed run (Michel) or a pass (White).
New England needs to run to win. The Patriots are 9-0 when they rush for 100 or more yards on the ground. When they rush for less than 100 yards, they are 2-5.
Including the playoffs, the Chargers are 8-0 when they hold an opponent under 100 yards rushing. When they allow 100 or more yards rushing, they fall to 5-4.
The Chargers’ interior defensive line features veteran Brandon Mebane–their best run-stuffer at nose tackle–and big bodies Damion Square and Darius Philon. None of these three are the type to take over a game, and the Patriots’ strong interior of guards Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason as well as center David Andrews should have a chance to impose their will in the running game.
The Chargers’ weak spot is at linebacker, where starters Denzel Perryman, Jatavis Brown, and Kyzir White are on injured reserve. Back-up Kyle Wilson is unlikely to play, and that leaves special teams players Kyle Emanuel and Hayes Pullard at the position.
The Chargers have compensated by putting more responsibility on their dynamic secondary, asking Derwin James and Adrian Phillips to play linebacker roles on defense, and even using the speedy Uchenna Nwosu out of position. The Patriots will try to get their offensive linemen to the second-level to get a big blocker on these undersized secondary players near the line of scrimmage.
Look for the Patriots to test the lighter back seven of the Chargers with multiple tight-end sets, adding Dwayne Allen as a blocker and fullback James Develin as the hammer against these not-as-talented linebackers or lighter safeties playing linebacker. Expect a physical approach on offense to force the Chargers’ defense out of their comfort zone… and some big chunk plays from Sony Michel running the football.