The New England Patriots have consistently been one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, with a history of developing and executing effective game plans that leave opponents struggling to keep up. As we head into the new season, it’s worth taking a closer look at some of the key plays that are likely to be in the Patriots’ playbook. Here, we’ll examine five essential Patriots football plays to watch this season, exploring their strategic significance and how they might be used to gain a competitive edge.
The “Smash” Concept: A Versatile Passing Play
One of the Patriots’ favorite passing plays is the “Smash” concept, a route combination that involves a deep corner route, a shallow crossing route, and a dig route. This play is designed to attack the defense in multiple areas, creating confusion and making it difficult for defenders to cover all three receivers effectively.
To execute the “Smash” concept, the Patriots typically line up in a 3x1 formation, with the tight end or running back aligned as the third receiver. The quarterback then reads the defense, looking for the open receiver and delivering the ball accordingly.
The “Counter Trey” Run: A Powerful Running Play
The “Counter Trey” run is a staple of the Patriots’ running game, designed to create a powerful blocking scheme that allows the running back to gain significant yardage. This play involves a counter trey blocking scheme, where the center and guards block the defensive tackles, while the tackles block the defensive ends.
| Blocking Scheme | Description |
|---|---|
| Center | Blocks defensive tackle |
| Guards | Block defensive tackles |
| Tackles | Block defensive ends |
The “Counter Trey” run is effective because it creates a seam in the defense that the running back can exploit. By blocking the defensive tackles and ends, the Patriots can create a hole that allows the running back to gain significant yardage.
The “Mesh” Concept: A Complex Passing Play
The “Mesh” concept is a complex passing play that involves multiple receivers running crossing routes that intersect in the middle of the field. This play is designed to create confusion among defenders, making it difficult for them to cover all the receivers effectively.
Executing the "Mesh" Concept
- The quarterback drops back to pass, reading the defense.
- The receivers run crossing routes, creating a "mesh" of routes in the middle of the field.
- The quarterback delivers the ball to the open receiver, exploiting the defensive weakness.
The “Mesh” concept is particularly effective against defenses that struggle to cover multiple receivers. By creating a complex web of routes, the Patriots can make it difficult for defenders to keep up, creating opportunities for big plays.
The “Power O” Run: A Physical Running Play
The “Power O” run is a physical running play that involves a power blocking scheme, where the center and guards block the defensive tackles, while the tackles block the defensive ends. This play is designed to create a hole in the defense that the running back can exploit.
The “Flood” Concept: A High-Powered Passing Play
The “Flood” concept is a high-powered passing play that involves multiple receivers running routes to one side of the field. This play is designed to create a “flood” of receivers in one area, making it difficult for defenders to cover all of them effectively.
- The quarterback reads the defense, looking for the open receiver.
- The receivers run routes to one side of the field, creating a "flood" of receivers.
- The quarterback delivers the ball to the open receiver, exploiting the defensive weakness.
The “Flood” concept is particularly effective against defenses that struggle to cover multiple receivers. By creating a flood of receivers in one area, the Patriots can make it difficult for defenders to keep up, creating opportunities for big plays.
FAQs
What is the “Smash” concept in football?
+The “Smash” concept is a passing play that involves a deep corner route, a shallow crossing route, and a dig route. It’s designed to attack the defense in multiple areas, creating confusion and making it difficult for defenders to cover all three receivers effectively.
How does the “Counter Trey” run work?
+The “Counter Trey” run is a running play that involves a counter trey blocking scheme. The center and guards block the defensive tackles, while the tackles block the defensive ends, creating a hole that the running back can exploit.
What is the “Mesh” concept in football?
+The “Mesh” concept is a complex passing play that involves multiple receivers running crossing routes that intersect in the middle of the field. It’s designed to create confusion among defenders, making it difficult for them to cover all the receivers effectively.
How effective is the “Power O” run?
+The “Power O” run is a physical running play that can be highly effective in controlling the clock and wearing down the defense. By running the ball effectively, the Patriots can limit the opponent’s possessions and create opportunities for their own offense to score.
