The unique coverage and New England’s response to it with pass distribution underscored an issue the Patriots face every week. They want to attack the defense where it is most vulnerable, and they want to accentuate their strengths.
“That’s the discussion every week, really,’’ coach Bill Belichick said. “What are the things that we do best where we want to attack them?’’
Sometimes, of course, one objective opposes the other. At times this season - such as when they chose to throw nearly twice as many passes to Aiken than Moss - the Patriots, by homing in on an opponent’s weakness, may have allowed their opponent to dictate how they play.
“I think our identity changes every week,’’ quarterback Tom Brady said. “We’re a team that, we’re always trying to find the personnel groupings that will work best against a certain team or the formations based on what we do well and what we think they don’t do very well.
“That’s kind of a balance every week. Some weeks, you really think you have the right idea, and you look back on the game, and you say, ‘Well, we got to tweak that.’
“As an offense, even though it’s Week 11, going into the 12th game, we’re still finding our way. We’re still trying to find ways to attack the defense and get our guys in the best position possible.’’
Playing with two backup cornerbacks, the Saints held Moss and Welker to a combined nine catches for 99 yards. In the 25 games Moss, Brady, and Welker have played together, it was only the fourth time an opponent has held Welker and Moss to fewer than 100 yards and fewer than 10 catches.
The Saints’ success will surely breed imitators. Welker may have never seen the Saints’ coverage before, but he expects to see it again. Against Miami this week, the Patriots could face the same defense.
“It was a great learning experience for us,’’ Welker said. “At least it better be, or we’re in for a long season.’’
