That's a big lady right there. She should see if Wilfork wants to mess around on the side
No doubt the Patriots have run-defense issues. They're missing the Huge Immovable Object that is Wilfork, they're missing the linebackers that started the season and the ones still playing are so banged up you never know how many plays you're going to get out of them.
That said, here's my take on the whole rushing thing last night: Belichick did NOT want Manning to get all pass-happy, and was willing to let Denver spend all night running the ball if that kept him off the air. If you watched the defensive alignments the Patriots backers were dropping all night long. There were so many times that there was no linebacker to hit the hole it actually kinda pissed me off, but in retrospect I think I get it now.
I believe Belichick thought if they pressed on the rush Denver would start throwing over the linebackers and that's when things could have gotten truly horrible in a hurry. Half the secondary has no business on the field in their current condition - and that's the good half. The fact that Welker was virtually shut down - when he almost NEVER gets shut down - and Manning's passing stats were down right mediocre - would go along with the strategy of over-playing coverage vs stressing run defense.
Carolina has a higher ranked rushing game, but didn't reach their per-game rushing average against the Patriots. I think the Pats can still slow down the rush if that's in their best interest...
Cheers!
