Dickie Dunn
Footballguy
Since the Brady sneak last week is one of the things that is causing so much angst, I decided to take a look at what the Patriots did in fourth-down situations this season:
Interestingly, they have faced fourth-and-1 on eight different occasions this season. They punted once, from their 37-yard-line. The other seven times, all inside the opponents' 30, they not only went for it every time, but converted all seven attempts ON THE GROUND.
The following aren't exactly earth-shattering:
-- They have yet to go for it on fourth down on their side of the 50 (15 punts).
-- Their other three punts all came between the opponents' 40 and 50, and none were better than fourth-and-4.
-- In the 16 other instances, they kicked for the FG 11 times; they are 1-for-5 on the other attempts, which includes a botched FG snap against the Jets. They passed it on three of the other four (4th-7 from the 29 vs. BUF, TO on downs; 4th-G from the 4 vs. CLE, inc. pass; 4th-2 from 37 vs. WAS, Cassel completion). Their only rush was late in the game against BUF, which was stopped.
Again, not earth-shattering stuff. But I think it gives credence to the idea that Belichick was simply doing what he has done all year -- don't punt inside the 40 (right Easterbrook?); run on 4th-and-1, otherwise pass; no FGs outside of 45 yds., etc.
Interestingly, they have faced fourth-and-1 on eight different occasions this season. They punted once, from their 37-yard-line. The other seven times, all inside the opponents' 30, they not only went for it every time, but converted all seven attempts ON THE GROUND.
The following aren't exactly earth-shattering:
-- They have yet to go for it on fourth down on their side of the 50 (15 punts).
-- Their other three punts all came between the opponents' 40 and 50, and none were better than fourth-and-4.
-- In the 16 other instances, they kicked for the FG 11 times; they are 1-for-5 on the other attempts, which includes a botched FG snap against the Jets. They passed it on three of the other four (4th-7 from the 29 vs. BUF, TO on downs; 4th-G from the 4 vs. CLE, inc. pass; 4th-2 from 37 vs. WAS, Cassel completion). Their only rush was late in the game against BUF, which was stopped.
Again, not earth-shattering stuff. But I think it gives credence to the idea that Belichick was simply doing what he has done all year -- don't punt inside the 40 (right Easterbrook?); run on 4th-and-1, otherwise pass; no FGs outside of 45 yds., etc.
