Patriots are on to New York Jet's ground attack
Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian, Boston Herald:
“This will probably be the most volume of running game schemes, and running game issues that they create that we’ve had in quite awhile - certainly all year,” Belichick said.
The Jets are second in the league in rushing, averaging 147.1 yards per game. Despite only winning three games, New York has kept games close by controlling the clock with its ground game. Six of the Jets' 11 losses have come in one-score games this season.
The last time the New York Jets met the New England Patriots, it was October 16th in Foxboro, MA. The Jets played "keep away", holding the ball for 40 minutes 54 seconds. The New England offense was only on the field for 19 minutes six seconds. The Jets rushed for 218 yards and 28 first downs.
New England head coach Bill Belichick explained that the depth of their playbook and the number of runners they incorporate make the Jets difficult to defend. The Jets featured five different ballcarriers. Both QBs, Geno Smith and Michael Vick, along with running backs, Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell all had runs from scrimmage. New York accumulated 13 rushing first downs to two for New England.
In Week 7, the Jets ran the ball 43 times and QB Geno Smith attempted 34 passes, completing 20. Only 56% of the time did New York run the ball. The game most fresh in our memory on the Jet's rushing attack was Week 13 against Miami. New York attempted only 13 passes while running the ball 49 times in a 16-13 loss to the Dolphins.
It has been a love fest this week with Jets' head coach Rex Ryan pumping the tires of Bill Belichick in saying that "Bill is a first ballot hall of famer." The anticipated rematch between the teams has not generated the usual animosity. The last home game generally turns out better than expected.
profootballhof:
In today’s NFL, it’s hard to imagine a team not throwing the ball. While it has been more than six decades since it occurred, the truth is that a team has played an entire NFL game without attempting a single pass.
The last time it happened came in a much anticipated rematch of the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles in Cleveland on Dec. 3, 1950. The two teams had faced each other in the season opener in Philadelphia as the Browns shocked the Eagles 35-10. Cleveland had just entered the NFL after four dominating seasons in the rival All-America Football Conference. Quarterback Otto Graham threw for 346 yards and three TDs as the Browns made a big statement to the football world.
The Philadelphia Eagles complained that the Cleveland Browns threw too much. Cleveland’s head coach Paul Brown wanted to prove to the Eagles that his squad could beat them not only through the air, but by just running the ball. The Browns had averaged 30 points a game through 11. Against the Eagles in Week 12, Cleveland rushed 41 times for 69 yards. They attempted no passes in a 13-7 win on two Lou Groza field goals, and a 30 yard interception return by CB Warren Lahr.
I hope Bill Belichick doesn't waste any time looking for a copy of this game. It is just like that Cleveland passing attack. It doesn't exist.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy
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