Game #8 NE Patriots vs LA Chargers 10/31/2021 4:05 PM EST CBS

[Southieinnc]

I will be dissapointed that Joejuan will be gone. I had high hopes for him.
Seems like BB's efforts to bring in long defenders after the philly SB loss is not working out.
Here is an overview of Williams from his draft profile:

"Long press corner who has shown an ability to use his size and aggression as a zealot in contested catch battles. While he has traits to build upon, the Georgia game shined a light on his press inefficiency, lack of speed and inconsistent ball skills with his back to the quarterback. Coaching and scheme can improve or cover some of those areas, but the early results could be a bit uneven. If the technique catches up with the traits, the play demeanor and talent should make him a solid NFL starter."

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Patriots Work Out 2 CBs Ahead of Likely Roster Move

The New England Patriots recently worked out two cornerback free-agents.

heavy.com

Two former 1st round picks?

I thought Bill had the market cornered on over reaching for DB's in the first round.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

JC Jackson running his mouth again? WTF?

J.C. Jackson says the Chargers' passing game is 'not really a big challenge' to stop

J.C. Jackson seems to think the Patriots can handle the Chargers offense.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

 

[Southieinnc]

JC Jackson running his mouth again? WTF?

J.C. Jackson says the Chargers' passing game is 'not really a big challenge' to stop

J.C. Jackson seems to think the Patriots can handle the Chargers offense.

patriotswire.usatoday.com

Bill? Bill? Bill?

 

[sharkymcwrath]

Bill? Bill? Bill?

Right? Maybe Bill really does plan on trading this dude sooner than later. He ran his mouth before the Dallas game and that didn't turn out well.

I've always appreciated Bill having the Pats stay humble and JC does not seem very humble.

I felt the same way about Van Noy and the self proclaimed "boogeymen".

 

[BigKen]

ight? Maybe Bill really does plan on trading this dude sooner than later. He ran his mouth before the Dallas game and that didn't turn out well.

Looks like JC is trying to force his way out of NE. History has shown that the easiest way to get your ass flown out of Foxboro is to open you your mouth and give an opponent bulletin board graffiti.

 

[BigKen]

Every game in the NFL is its own challenge, but it cannot be denied that — on paper — beating the Chargers will be much more difficult for the Patriots than beating the Jets. The question therefore is whether or not the team can keep up its momentum, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Let’s use our crystal ball as well as prop bets provided by DraftKings Sportsbook to find out if that will indeed happen.

Patriots Offense: O/U 21.5 points​

As noted above, New England was able to score 54 points against an overpowered Jets team — the first 50-burger served by the Patriots since the 2015 season. That said, the oddsmakers think that the team will regress against the Chargers’ 22nd-ranked scoring defense; they have set the scoring over/under at just 21.5 points.

Mac Jones and company are averaging 25.6 points per game this season, good enough for 11th in the league. The over is the obvious choice here based on that number alone, but one quick argument could be made against it: the lopsided win over New York has impacted the points per game drastically and is not a proper representation of New England’s offensive firepower.

That might very well be true, but two things cannot be denied either:

1.) The Patriots have scored more than 21.5 points in three straight games are looking much improved on that side of the ball compared to earlier in the year (when they finished sub-21.5 in three of their first four games).

2.) The Chargers defense is giving up an average of 25.0 points per game, and is especially vulnerable against the run.


So, what will happen on Sunday? That remains to be seen, but based on the circumstances and the recent development of the New England offense as a whole — even before its explosion versus the Jets — it appears that 21.5 points is a very realistic hurdle for the unit to jump over.

Patriots Defense: O/U 27.5 points​

On the other side of the ball we find the over/under to be set at 27.5 points. Playing the same game as above, we can compare season-long trends and results: New England’s defense is giving up an average of 20.0 points each game; Los Angeles’ offense is scoring 24.7 points per game. New England’s defense has allowed more than 27.5 points just twice this season; Los Angeles’ offense has scored 27.5-plus in three of its last four games.

Putting everything into account, it would not be a surprise if the Patriots found a way to limit the Chargers and keep them below that number. A lot will depend on whether or not their secondary can successfully match up with Los Angeles’ receiving weapons, and whether or not the run defense will continue trending in the right direction.

As far as a prediction is concerned: the under is very much in play, but the confidence level is not as high as it is with the over on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[Southieinnc]

Looks like we will finally see Shaun Wade in action, even this week!
Might have Bausby and Poole available too.
Could not het past Globe paywall to read more. What ya got?

 

[BigKen]

Could not het past Globe paywall to read more. What ya got?

This morning's Globe is reporting that Poole, Bausby and Wade are all on the 53 man roster and could be active. The question then becomes, who will not be active? With the trade deadline on next Tuesday at 4:00 PM, Bill has to feature the guys he's looking to move.

Temps here in NE were in the mid to low 30's last night. According to the beat writers, practice was fast and furious on Thursday when the temps were in the high 40's.

Two years ago, we had a Halloween snowstorm. Football weather is moving in.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

The question then becomes, who will not be active?

I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say Rhamondre Stevenson will not be active.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Two years ago, we had a Halloween snowstorm. Football weather is moving in.

30 years ago we had a real ass kicker of a storm.

One I'll never forget...and I was in PA that weekend.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

30 years ago we had a real ass kicker of a storm.

One I'll never forget...and I was in PA that weekend.

We got the blizzard in Mountain Top and Nanticoke, PA.
A foot of snow was more than most of the locals had seen from one storm.

1991 Perfect Storm - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

1991 Halloween blizzard - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Southieinnc]

This morning's Globe is reporting that Poole, Bausby and Wade are all on the 53 man roster and could be active. The question then becomes, who will not be active? With the trade deadline on next Tuesday at 4:00 PM, Bill has to feature the guys he's looking to move.

Temps here in NE were in the mid to low 30's last night. According to the beat writers, practice was fast and furious on Thursday when the temps were in the high 40's.

Two years ago, we had a Halloween snowstorm. Football weather is moving in.

I would be suprised for Joejuan Williams to not be active. He had a good game last week and we could use him to cover the tight end.
I would not be suprised to see Stevenson get a shot against this defense.
Can't put everybody in!

 

[Southieinnc]

Taylor has 26 yards for a 2.0 average. I want to see Stevenson play more.
This run defense is soft. If there ever was a chance at ground and pound, this is it!

edir: JJ has a 2.0 average - and that is not in philosophy!

 

[nefansince75]

Taylor has 26 yards for a 2.0 average. I want to see Stevenson play more.
This run defense is soft. If there ever was a chance at ground and pound, this is it!

edir: JJ has a 2.0 average - and that is not in philosophy!

JJ looks fine. He's hasn't had many runs and several have been draws without room to escape. Those weigh on an average pretty quick. It's tough to get yards with arms on you while you get the ball.

 

[Southieinnc]

JJ looks fine. He's hasn't had many runs and several have been draws without room to escape. Those weigh on an average pretty quick. It's tough to get yards with arms on you while you get the ball.

We dont get stafs in the NFL for what could have been.
I'm not unhappy with JJ (yet) but it is still questionable that a litte guy can play in the NFL

 

[sharkymcwrath]

We dont get stafs in the NFL for what could have been.
I'm not unhappy with JJ (yet) but it is still questionable that a litte guy can play in the NFL

He was affectionately nicknamed "little Dion" by Ivan Fears so I was hopeful he was going to fit the Dion Lewis/Danny Woodhead mold but so far that has not come to fruition. There's still hope but it is quietly running out.

 

[Southieinnc]

He was affectionately nicknamed "little Dion" by Ivan Fears so I was hopeful he was going to fit the Dion Lewis/Danny Woodhead mold but so far that has not come to fruition. There's still hope but it is quietly running out.

I'm not without hope.
The kid has shown more than his stats. O-line has much to do with that.
This week should be ground and pound.

 

[BigKen]

Just thought I'd throw my two cents in about what I see as the pros and cons against the Chargers.

Chargers Offense:

Run - Austin Ekler is the run game. 73 rushes for 356 yards for 4.9 ypc.
Justin Herbert is second with 21 carries for 76 yards for 3.6 ypc

Pass- Mike Williams has 56 targets and 33 catches for 498 yards for 15.1 ypc
Keenan Allen has 58 targets and 39 catches for 419 yards for 10.7 ypc
Austin Ekler has 32 targets with 27 catches for 242 yards for 9.0 ypc

Avg Score/Game: 24.67
Avg Time of Possession: 29:06

Offensive Plays/Game: 66.17
Offensive Yards/Game: 377.5

Offensive Yards/Play: 5.7
Rush Attempts/Game: 23.17
Rush Yards/Game: 94.67
Rush Yards/Attempt: 4.1
Rushing Touchdowns: 5

Pass Attempts/Game: 41.17
Pass Completions/Game: 26.83
Yards per Attempt: 6.9
Yards per Completion: 10.5
Completion %: 65.2
Passing Touchdowns: 14
Interceptions Thrown: 4

Giveaways: 6
Takeaways: 9
Turnover Differential: 3

Fumbles Lost: 2
Times Sacked: 11
Quarterback Hits: 34
Red Zone Attempts: 26
Red Zone Conversions: 16

Goal to Go Attempts: 0
Goal to Go Conversions: 0

Penalties: 43
Penalty Yards: 432

Patriots Defense. 6th in the NFL for Points Allowed 20.0 PPG

Opp Rush Attempts/Game: 27.71
Opp Rush Yards/Game: 105.57
Opp Rush Yards/Attempt: 3.8
Opp Rushing Touchdowns: 4

Opp Pass Attempts/Game: 35.14
Opp Pass Comp/Game: 21.86
Opp Yards/Attempt: 7
Opp Yards/Completion: 11.2
Opp Completion %: 62.2
Opp Passing Touchdowns: 10
Interceptions Made: 8

Patriots Offense:

Avg Score/Game: 25.57
Avg Time of Possession: 30:40

Offensive Plays/Game: 62.29
Offensive Yards/Game: 355

Offensive Yards/Play: 5.7
Rush Attempts/Game: 24
Rush Yards/Game: 95.43
Rush Yards/Attempt: 4
Rushing Touchdowns: 9

Pass Attempts/Game: 36.29
Pass Completions/Game: 25.71
Yards per Attempt: 7.2
Yards per Completion: 10.1
Completion %: 70.9
Passing Touchdowns: 10
Interceptions Thrown: 6

Giveaways: 11
Takeaways: 11
Turnover Differential: 0

Fumbles Lost: 5
Times Sacked: 14
Quarterback Hits: 36
Red Zone Attempts: 24
Red Zone Conversions: 14

Goal to Go Attempts: 0
Goal to Go Conversions: 0

Penalties: 42
Penalty Yards: 414

Chargers Defense:

Opp Score/Game: 25
Opp Time of Possession: 31:54

Opp Plays/Game: 62.83
Opp Yards/Game: 364.33

Opp Yards/Play: 5.8
Opp Rush Attempts/Game: 29.83
Opp Rush Yards/Game: 162.5
Opp Rush Yards/Attempt: 5.4
Opp Rushing Touchdowns: 8

Opp Pass Attempts/Game: 30.83
Opp Pass Comp/Game: 21.17
Opp Yards/Attempt: 6.5
Opp Yards/Completion: 9.5
Opp Completion %: 68.6
Opp Passing Touchdowns: 9
Interceptions Made: 6

Opp Giveaways: 9
Opp Takeaways: 6
Opp Turnover Differential: -3

Opp Fumbles Lost: 3
Opp Times Sacked: 13
Opp Quarterback Hits: 40
Opp Red Zone Attempts: 22
Opp Red Zone Conversions: 15

Opp Goal to Go Attempts: 0
Opp Goal to Go Conversions: 0

Opp Penalties: 38
Opp Penalty Yards: 339

There are the stats. The Chargers play a deep 2 DB Zone and do not vary. They basically say that if you want to pass you have to dink and dunk but they will do everything to keep you from throwing and scoring deep. For the Patriots, that's their bread and butter and they'd rather take 8 minutes and score with 15 plays then try to beat you on a Hail Mary every series. The Chargers defense also gives up 5. yards per carry on the ground. If Damien Harris carries his normal 23 carries a game, that's a potential 133 yards, just for Him. Add JJ Taylor and or Stevenson and the Chargers will be giving up 8 yards per carry in the fourth quarter.

The Patriots on the other hand only allow 3.8 yards per carry and Ekler is a grinder not a bullet. The challenge will be taking out either Williams or Allen in the passing game or both. The Patriots play a close man 2 and will have to keep up with two fast WR.

The biggest problem for the Chargers is that Justin Herbert does not react well at all to pressure, especially up the gut. The Patriot have shown that they collapse the pocket and will make Herbert either throw the ball away or eat it.

On Monday the line was Chargers -4.5. The line has changed and they are now -2 at home. By game time this will most likely be a pick 'em for you gamblers.

For the fan, if the Patriots play with the same enthusiasm that they played with against the Jets last week, they should be flying back to Foxboro 4-4 with a completely different outlook for the final 9 games.

The Chargers are 4-2 and have not beaten anyone convincingly, but were severely pounded by the Ravens in their last game before their Bye 34-6. Their other loss was to the Cowboys 20-17. They have wins against the WFT (20-26), Chiefs (30-24), Raiders (28-14) and Browns (47-42).

 

[nefansince75]

He was affectionately nicknamed "little Dion" by Ivan Fears so I was hopeful he was going to fit the Dion Lewis/Danny Woodhead mold but so far that has not come to fruition. There's still hope but it is quietly running out.

Dions come and go (and are great players), but Danny Woodhead was one of a kind. They both were slippery and had an amazing start, stop, start gear (to be fair, Dion's was better) but Woodhead had a balance that was just off the charts. So many times he was hit and stayed on his feet. I swear the guy levitated.