We all know Tom Brady is a bad man, but one of the many factors that makes him special is how he succeeds with so many different weapons at his disposal. Whether it's been Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Wes Welker or James White, Brady has found a way to win with any kind of offensive player.
His short passing game makes him especially dangerous while making low risk throws that dink and dunk his way around defenses. After they’re softened up, defenses bite on underneath options to open up deeper passes. The Steelers know this all too well, so let's look at how the Patriots make it work:
The Steelers absolutely have to account for Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett and Brady's receivers. But the group that Brady relies on to make his shorter passing game work in a pinch is his running backs. White, Rex Burkhead, Sony Michel and James Develin are all targets Brady loves to use in games when teams blanket his primary targets.
The Patriots' running backs caught 120 passes for 993 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018. White led the team in both receptions (87) and receiving touchdowns (7), which is why the Steelers have to be ready to take away Brady's backs.
Brady also loves to make audibles at the line of scrimmage to simply hand the ball off and attack a weakness in the defensive line. Watch how he sets up this 26-yard run by Michel. The motion to the right side of the formation comes too quickly for the Rams' defensive line to adjust and opens up an easy big gain for Michel that digs them out from being pinned against their own end zone:
But running the ball is a basic aspect that can be typically planned against. The Steelers have to be ready for Brady to come out with packages that have two running backs who both turn into receiving threats. Typically two running backs on the field tells a defense that they can come out in a standard 3-4 defense and look for the run or a basic pass.
But with the Patriots, nothing is basic.
Watch how the Patriots line up Burkhead in the slot as a receiver and hit him for a 19-yard touchdown on the seam route. Burkhead isn't the best receiving option, but the Jets have to scramble to even get a guy on him at the last second. It’s too late, and Brady rips them apart:
The Steelers have been practicing all training camp to cover receiving threats who are running backs while working against James Conner and Jaylen Samuels. There were practices where I heard Teryl Austin yelling to remind his defensive backs to treat Samuels like a receiver, something I'm sure they'll do with each of the Patriots' backs.
But the biggest receiving threat is undoubtedly White. His sharp route running gets him open in the tightest spaces and makes him a matchup nightmare for linebackers. Watch how he works this shake route over the middle, beating the single coverage and scoring a touchdown:
Mark Barron and Devin Bush will have to be on their toes to keep up with these backs. But don't overlook Vince Williams as a contributor at overpowering them at different points on the field. The Patriots' backs against the Steelers' linebackers may be one of the biggest matchups of the game.
War Room and Carter’s Classroom need your help! We are seeking sponsors for the 2019-2020 NFL season that would be willing to see their brand grow through advertising with us. All interested parties should contact me at christopher@dkpittsburghsports.com.
MORE CLASSROOM
September 5: Nelson seeks revenge on Patriots
September 4: Can Conner zone out Patriots?
September 3: Sutton stays in position
August 31: Did Holton splash his way onto the roster?
