Special Teams contribute to Pats total team victory
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| Gif courtesy of BostInno.streetwise.co |
You won't find a better example of a total team win then yesterday's 41-7 drubbing of Baltimore. The defense scored more touchdowns (14) than they allowed (7), forcing 4 turnovers in a dominating performance. The offense controlled much of the game with a physical rushing attack that took it right to Baltimore's normally ferocious defense.
Finally, while the performances of Logan Mankins, LeGarrette Blount and Logan Ryan dominated the headlines, the Patriots special teams quietly had an all-around excellent day. Baltimore's special teams have historically always been good under John Harbaugh, himself a former special teams coordinator, but the Patriots completely dominated this matchup, consistently putting the offense and defense in favorable field position.
The key going into this matchup was neutralize Baltimore return man Jacoby Jones. Jones is the kind of dynamic athlete who is always a threat to make a game changing play, something he proved last year with several big plays during Baltimore's Super Bowl run.
Stephen Gostkowski had another fine day kicking the ball (2/2 field goals, 5/5 extra points), but he did his best work on kickoffs, using his strong leg to neutralize the threat of Jones. Gostkowski recorded touchbacks on 5 of his 7 kickoffs. Jones showed why he should be feared on the two he did return, averaging 30 yards a return, but the coverage teams did manage to keep him from breaking one for the type of momentum changing play Baltimore sorely needed.
As good as Gostkowski was, rookie punter Ryan Allen might have been even better. Allen's day started early, as the Patriots opened the game with a three-and-out that could have tilted field position in Baltimore's favor. Allen neutralized that with a 60 yard punt that (with the help of a personal foul penalty) pinned Baltimore at their own 7 yard line.
That 60 yard was Allen's longest of the night, but was merely one of several excellent punts on the day. His second was a 59 yarder with hangtime, allowing his coverage team to get down the field and tackle Jones after only a two yard return. His day also had two other punts pin Baltimore down behind the 20, including a beautiful 25 yard pooch punt that forced a Ladarius Webb fair catch at the Baltimore 10 yard line.
All in all, Allen punted 7 times for an average of 47.7 yards, dropping 4 of those within the 20. He consistently changed field position in a game that was still within reach until the fourth quarter for Baltimore.
Finally, I'd be amiss to talk about the Patriots special teams without mentioning captain Matthew Slater. If you've ever wondered why Slater is a perennial Pro-Bowl candidate, re-watch this game. Notice #18 streaking up the field, as the first one to reach the ball carrier on seemingly every kick despite facing constant double teams as the team's gunner. Slater "only" had 2 special teams tackles on the day (on only six returned kicks), but that statistic belies his effort yesterday.
In remembering this game, remember the Blount touchdowns and Logan Ryan interceptions. But also remember that Baltimore's average starting field position was from their 17.5 yard line, while the Patriots were only pinned behind the 20 twice all game. Remember the special teams.
