How do the Patriots defend the deep ball? Can Flacco have deep ball success against them?

[Critical Thinking]

Actually they shutout MIA and gave up 16 points to JAC...but hey facts don't matter in bizzaro Patriot fan world.

Indeed, you shutout MIA in the last game of the season, when their season was already over. Kudos.

And yes, you gave up 16 points to a 2-14 JAC team with Chad Henne, 3rd string RB Monty Owens, and without their top WR, none other than mighty Cecil Shorts.

Because they have played horrible teams.

Yes...this is the NFL...where a 2-14 team is 2-14 for a reason.

No doubt. I'd rank him right between AJ Green and Brandon Marshall probably....

Find out what? That your secondary is not what you claim it to be? That you do not have a dominant front 7 (that is better than Denver).

You will find out that we aren't Sanchez/Tannehill/Henne and their gang of C level WRs. Oh wait, you already found that out when you lost 31-30 and got scorched by Torrey Smith and Ray Rice and Joe Flacco.

Where is Denver's defense now? And where is NE's now? One defense is at home, while the other is in the AFC Championship game.. It's not about having freaking gaudy defensive stats during the SEASON its about playing and showing up when it matters the most.. something they didn't do despite being ranked whatever they were

[PGCountyRaven85]

Very good, but ours are younger, more versatile and are in a different type of defense with different objective.. Ours are a lot bigger as well.. huge up front.

Lawrence Timmons is really fast, physical and better than any of the Pats' linebackers. We see him twice a year.

[Bigfish]

How do the Patriots defend the deep ball? Can Flacco have deep ball success against them?

The Patriots can defend the deep ball but it will require deep safety help leaving Flacco with good match ups underneath. Despite what the Pats homers believe, they can't match up with Boldin, Pitta and Rice isolated in man coverage. They'll mix coverages and at some point Flacco will stretch the field with success like he has all year.

[PerpetuallyBored74]

Apparently the Pats didn't have to defend Flacco's deep ball.

The NE wind did it for them.
Fortunately, it seems Caldwell's been working with Flacco/receivers to improve the timing on those short passes. Once Talib was out of the game, and our receivers started beating the press (still an issue with them) Flacco/receivers showed excellent timing/accuracy throughout the 2nd half on mainly shorter passes.

One concern though is after seeing what the wind did on Flacco's first deep throw, why did Caldwell continue to send receivers deep on 2nd & 3rd down in the 1st half? Should have tried one or 2 more deep shots on 1st down to force NE's offense to stay honest and defend the threat of the deep pass--that way when the pass missed because of the wind, they would be facing 2nd and 10, not 3rd and long or punting.
Also too many 1st down runs called--even the play by play guys noticed and questioned the wisdom of that strategy.
At least the right adjustments were made eventually, but against the 49ers we are going to need to start fast and finish strong--can't wait until the 2nd half to fix the obvious or it may be too little, too late.

[Paintballguy]

The next game, Flacco gets to play inside. Bombs away!

[Ravenblue]

The next game, Flacco gets to play inside. F-Bombs away!

Fixed it for you!

[lovefootball]

49'ers didn't start fast in their post season games, had to come from behind to win. These two teams are similiar and their qb will have to learn the hard way. Good chance smith see action if Pollard has anything to say.