Saturday, September 17, 2011

Pats/Chargers Sunday Storylines: Brady factor, Charger RBs vs. Pats D, special teams

With so many possibilities heading into the New England Patriots’ (1-0) home opener on Sunday versus the San Diego Chargers (1-0), Patriots quarterback Tom Brady offered fans a bit of advice before the game earlier this week.

“Start drinking early,” Brady said when asked if he had any advice for fans. “It’s a 4:15 game. They have a lot of time to get lubed up, come out here and cheer for the home team.”

Brady, who was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his milestone performance against the divisional rival Miami Dolphins on Monday night (4 TDs, 1 INT, 517 yards), will hope to keep his big numbers growing this week against a familiar opponent in the Chargers.

Can the Charger defense stop Brady?

It’s tough to think a team could give up another 500-plus-yard performance for a second straight week, but we’ve seen stranger stuff happen in the NFL. Plus, with the consistency in which the Patriots play the Chargers — oftentimes winning — it’d be a safe gamble to take Brady in this matchup. (But that’s also most matchups.) Even as 6.5-point favorites, I’d go with the home team.

The Charger defense is certainly better than that of the Dolphins — it has been in recent previous seasons, and it showed in Week 1 this year. Sure, against different offenses, different defenses play … differently. But the Patriots and Chargers are familiar enough with one another that these games always have a bit of bite.

This isn’t just about the secondary, either. San Diego’s linebackers and defensive front need to overpower the neutral zone and put Brady under repeated pressure. (See: Brady with at least five seconds in the pocket last week vs. Miami.)

Chargers backfield needs to produce against Pats’ D-line

Relinquishing both running backs who defined Norv Turner’s running game in San Diego (New York Jets’ LaDainian Tomlinson and New Orleans Saints’ Darren Sproles), and oftentimes gave the Patriots a bit of a headache, the Chargers now have two young backs emerging — or at least trying to.

Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert, second- and fourth-year players, respectively, have had high expectations but need to do more for the Chargers’ offense to take control. Matthews battled minor injuries last year and was able to rush for 678 yards in 12 games. He also had a habit of coughing up the ball (five fumbles last year). The Patriots’ front knows that and will try to expose it.

With a healthy, fresh rotation of defensive linemen constantly coming in and out of the game, it’s important for all personnel to be up to speed with the opposing offense. Led by monsters Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth — the latter of whom is expected to have a heightened role in the defensive scheme this weekend — this Patriots defense should have plenty of opportunities to force — then capitalize on — against this often turnover-prone Charger offense.

The special teams battle

The Chargers have come off looking like a team that doesn’t take special teams seriously enough — last year especially — and again in Week 1 of this year, right from the game’s opening kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings (Percy Harvin, 103-yard return).

The Patriots’ special teams corps will block, they will make holes and the returners will find the holes.

A look back

People like to look back on last year’s performance to help get an idea of what Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Chargers could be like.

During their Week 7 showdown in San Diego, New England nearly gave up a 20-point lead in the final quarter before winning by a field goal. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers actually threw for more than twice as many yards as Brady (both tossed a TD apiece), both Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and San Diego’s Tolbert reached paydirt once on the ground and the game came down to missed field goal in the final minute by San Diego.

Follow Sam @SammySports