Super Bowl XLVI: New England Patriots Could Utilize Running Game to Offset New York Giants' Pass Rush

Saturday, February 4, 2012

By Patrick Ouellette
Senior Writer

For those expecting a New England Patriots aerial assault on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, what are the chances the Patriots don’t completely rely on Tom Brady and catch New York off balance with their running game?

For some perspective, during an interview on the Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub, former Patriots running back Heath Evans gave some interesting insight this week about the team’s Super Bowl XLII game plan. Evans claimed that the Patriots planned on taking advantage of the Giants’ defensive line with a bruising running attack in which he expected to receive more than 30 snaps.

He said that the plan stalled early and the Patriots reverted back to their pass-happy attack and Brady was unable to get the ball downfield to his receivers.

Many of the elements are similar from four years ago, as the Giants’ line is sack-happy and can be susceptible to the run (121.3 yards per game in 2011). The Patriots are still very much a pass-first team as well. There could be major benefits to handing the ball off to BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead or Stevan Ridley.

Turning strength into weakness

The Patriots could start the game by softening the Giants' defense with this approach by forcing them to pull linebackers such as Michael Boley inside to defend the run rather than rushing from the outside. Defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, all with at least five sacks in 2011, can all get after the quarterback. If they’re trying to bring down Green-Ellis or Woodhead, New England is negating one of New York’s greatest strengths.

Time’s ticking

In the later stages of the contest, the run game could be just as valuable if the Patriots are trying to salt away the game and keep the ball out of Eli Manning’s hands. Because converting pivotal third downs shouldn’t rest solely on Brady’s shoulders, Green-Ellis and Woodhead should be ready for the ball late in the game.

Keeping the Giants honest

While New England runs the majority of its offense from the shotgun these days, running the ball when Brady is behind center will accomplish two things. First, the Giants will be unable to sit back in a zone as they did back in November when Green-Ellis carried the ball only 12 times. Both of Brady’s picks during that game were off of tipped balls as the Giants knew there was no threat of anyone coming from the backfield. Secondly, Brady could start to use the play action pass if Green-Ellis gets good yardage early as he did against the Ravens in the AFC Championship game.

There’s also the possibility that the Patriots could try screen passes to fend off the ferocious New York pass rush. Both Woodhead and Kevin Faulk are great blockers and would be well-suited to come out of the backfield to see what they can do one-one-one with a Giants linebacker.

It’s hard to say how many the Patriots will run the ball against the Giants, but the advantages to handing the ball off here and there are clear.


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