The NFL’s rules are designed to create parity with the draft and roster turnover through free agency. But don’t tell that to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. As if you didn’t already know, the Patriots have had unprecedented success in the last two decades – winning five Super Bowls in that span. And…
Following Super Bowl LI, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan took some heat over his decision to abandon the run with the Falcons leading the New England Patriots 21-3 to open the second half, and climbing to a 28-3 lead midway through the 3rd quarter. The Patriots staged a historical comeback ending in the Falcons defeat…
The start of the NFL season is upon us (finally!) and before the Week 1 action concludes, it is important to look at all the rosters to see which teams currently have holes and which teams are stacked. Jeff Feyerer used his roster evaluation system to break down each team’s roster and see which teams are primed…
For the Patriots, as with everyone else, the draft is a critical time to address your needs. Not only their success but also Bill Belichick’s emphasis on versatility makes his drafting strategy one of interest. So, Dave Archibald wonders, what the heck is with the fifth round? On Thursday, the New England Patriots traded a fifth-round pick…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From silent count to roll coverage, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any…
In a rematch from Week 12, the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in what is being billed as Brady-Manning XVII – possibly the final competition between two all-time great quarterbacks. Aidan Curran has an AFC Championship preview. Peyton Manning, having reclaimed the starting quarterback position from Brock Osweiler, managed the Broncos’ to victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in…
The New England Patriots defense held Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to one of his least productive games of the season in the AFC Divisional round. Brian Filipiak reviewed the film and found one of the reasons: Patrick Chung outmuscled him. While the Patriots mixed up their coverages throughout the contest, it was…
Even the best laid pressure schemes of a defensive coordinator can go awry. Whether because of sound fundamentals in pass protection or a quarterback escaping the pocket to keep a play alive, a blitz that doesn’t hit home quickly can just as easily create a big play for the offense. In those instances, pass coverage and…
Injuries are a common occurrence in the NFL, and veteran stars can quickly become afterthoughts to a team that changes to get by without them. Jerod Mayo was once the most important player on the New England Patriots defense. Peter Benet explains how the injury has prompted New England to hold the Mayo. When he returned from…
The New England Patriots added another Vince Lombardi Trophy to their collection, thanks to Tom Brady’s near-perfect fourth quarter and Malcolm Butler’s improbable interception. In a game often decided by mere inches, less heralded plays can be just as important. In Super Bowl XLIX, stopping the read option proved crucial in the Patriots’ victory over…
The New England Patriots pass defense had an up-and-down game in Super Bowl XLIX. The Seattle Seahawks failed to complete a pass until late in the second quarter, but eventually proved efficient with their air attack, gaining more than 20 yards per completion before the Patriots stood firm to earn the victory ‒ including the…
The New England Patriots captured their fourth championship title in franchise history after a thrilling 28-24 comeback victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Long before “the Butler did it” with a game-sealing interception on the one-foot line, the Patriots defense held the Seahawks to a critical three-and-out, capped by the Ninkovich sack…
The Seattle Seahawks pose a unique challenge for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. Quarterback Russell Wilson’s combination of passing acumen and running ability forces coordinators to alter their scheme to account for his diverse skills. Reviewing this season’s film reveals some strategies the Patriots might use in trying to contain the distinctive…
Much attention has been given to the marquee matchups of Super Bowl XLIX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. The versatile and innovative Patriots offense against the strength and smarts of the Seahawks secondary gets the most attention, followed by the Seattle running game against the New England defense. Dave Archibald has studied the pass defense of the…
It is a game of yoctoseconds and inches. When everything comes together ‒ the play call, the execution ‒ it can be stunning, even beautiful. When the timing is off, it can be horrible and gut-wrenching. The New England Patriots soundly defeated the Indianapolis Colts thanks in part to well-timed and executed defense. The quick out route…
