“I think you need to take that into consideration, absolutely.’’
That day in Orchard Park, N.Y., the Patriots ran the ball 47 times, throwing it just eight times, to slug out a season-ending 13-0 win. In today’s NFL, that kind of ratio is unheard of, particularly with a team built around its quarterback, like New England is.
But Belichick’s point is well taken. If the Patriots have to do that, they want to be able to do it well. And over the last few weeks, the spread-happy Patriots have slowly changed their stripes in an effort to build that ability in.
On Sunday, New England ran the ball a season-high 40 times. Their 185 yards rushing were only eclipsed against Tennessee, and even in that blowout at Gillette Stadium in the snow against a quitting team, the Patriots had only 8 more yards on the ground than they did against Carolina.
There are factors to consider. It was raining Sunday. It was cold. Tom Brady was playing through injuries to his ribs and a finger on his throwing hand. Carolina came in ranked 26th in run defense, with a rash of injuries at defensive tackle the main culprit.
Yet, there’s evidence that it was more than just the opponent or the quarterback’s condition or the weather. In certain ways, it looks like a schematic shift.
“I definitely think so, you can see it,’’ said ESPN’s Mark Schlereth, a former Redskins and Broncos offensive lineman who’d just finished studying the Patriots-Panthers game on tape. “They’re trying to run it better. There’s a concerted effort.
“The passing game isn’t what it was. It’s not the same deal as 2007. They’re struggling to find that Jabar Gaffney-type, move-the-chains guy. And Bill Belichick knows better than anyone what you’re trying to accomplish in these situations - you have to figure out a way to take pressure off that defense. ’’
