Why the Patriots' Gronk-Edelman combo can't be stopped
— -- With wide receiver Julian Edelman back on the field last weekend, the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady put on a clinic in offensive execution and game planning during their divisional playoff victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Using quick reads and short-to-intermediate passing, Brady targeted Edelman and tight end Rob Gronkowski a combined 24 times for 17 catches, 183 yards and two touchdowns.
How fast did the ball come out on Saturday for the Patriots? Of the eight quarterbacks to play this past weekend, Brady was at the top of the list with an average of 2.13 seconds from snap to throw. Forget about the pass rush with that number and think of the option route, slant, flat, shallow crossers, hitch and the red zone fade. These are lightning-fast reads for Brady based on the defensive look and the matchup power of both Edelman and Gronk within the Patriots' offense.
This game plan from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels created issues for the Chiefs, and it brings up a valid question for the Denver Broncos as they prepare for this weekend's matchup in the AFC Championship Game: How do they stop both Edelman and Gronk? Take away one player? Maybe. But that leaves you vulnerable against the other guy.
Let us look at why it's so hard to stifle both Gronkowski and Edelman -- and discuss possible solutions for the Broncos.
Creating throwing lanes
Play the matchups and create throwing windows. That sounds so simple, so basic, but it's also the core theory of the Patriots' offense when looking at the tape. This isn't a deep-ball system where the quarterback chucks it down the field. Instead, this is a scheme that caters to Brady's masterful ability to move defenders, find the matchups and read coverages.
The 16 passes Brady threw to Edelman (10 receptions, 100 yards) against the Chiefs traveled on average only 7.75 yards in the air. These short-to-intermediate throws mesh perfectly with Edelman's quick footwork and ability to create separation at the break point.
In this example, the Patriots align in a 3x1 formation and run the slant-flat combination against Cover 1 "Lurk" (linebacker drops to inside hole). That means it's on Brady to move the linebacker and create a throwing window for Edelman to break back inside against off-man coverage with Gronkowski pulling his defender outsider (see diagram below).
Brady looks to the weak side of the formation at the snap. That forces the linebacker to flow with the quarterback's eyes. It's a small thing, a quick glance to move the linebacker from the inside hole. But it also opens up a clear window to throw the slant.
This allows Brady to quickly flip his eyes (and hips) to deliver an inside throw to Edelman who is running away from the defender's leverage in coverage. And with the linebacker out of position, the window to throw this ball is wide open. Understand, the Chiefs wanted to take away the inside throwing lane to Edelman. But Brady just simply moved the defender to get exactly what he wanted: a clear path to hit his wide receiver for a first down.
Taking away the middle of the field (to eliminate a receiver or a concept) is a smart idea. But that doesn't account for Brady's ability to manipulate the coverage and get exactly what he wants.
Beating the adjustments
Defenses are going to adjust, right? Of course they are. And that's what Kansas City did to try to take away Edelman later in the game by shading the linebacker to the wide receiver with a man-coverage defender playing off. This is almost like a semi-bracket coverage against Edelman.
But if the defense is going to focus on taking Edelman out of the play, and thus eliminating the option route with two defenders, that leaves an inside throwing window for Brady to target Gronkowski (see diagram below).
This is a free ticket for Brady to work the middle of the field, with Gronkowski (matched up against a DB) to run the slant. That's a tough assignment for the defender to check the size of Gronk with no immediate help on the slant. He's too big, too strong for that.
The Patriots' tight end wins on the release, establishes leverage and essentially boxes out the defender on the inside breaking route. And there's no one home to help. This leads to an 18-yard gain on a slant route.
The point here? Defenses can bracket or cut or combo Edelman, but that means they have to win against Gronkowski in straight one-on-one matchups with Brady throwing the ball. That's the problem: The defense has to pick one guy to eliminate based on a down-and-distance or game situation. And you can bet Brady is going to find that other matchup to go after.
Red zone options
Another issue for defenses is when the Patriots advance the ball into the red zone. That gives them the ability to work inside to both Edelman and Gronk or show combination routes such as the slant/flat (with a pick), the fade/out, etc. The Patriots can align Gronkowski out wide, put him in the slot and do the same with Edelman to get the matchup they want.
From a defensive perspective, you can double the slot or adjust the initial leverage to eliminate Edelman. That's an option. But how does that help you when Brady wants to throw the back-shoulder fade to Gronk because of the matchup?
On Saturday, the Patriots aligned in a 2x2 formation with Gronk out wide and Edelman in the slot. The Chiefs' nickel defender aligns with a hard outside shade (he has safety help inside) to take away the out route or the inside break to Edelman. But that gives Brady the option of throwing the fade.
Chiefs CB Sean Smith has the size and length to compete with Gronk. But with the TE's ability to initiate some contact (separation) and Brady's precise ball placement, this is still a positive situation for the Patriots. Play the one-on-one and pick up six points.
Again, whether we are talking about the red zone or a play out in the field, the Patriots will adjust based on the defensive look. And that leaves the defense in a very tough situation.
Denver's plan
Back in Week 12, with Edelman still on the shelf, the Broncos threw a bunch of different defenders at Gronkowski. From safeties to linebackers to cornerbacks, the Denver defense played both press and off-man against the Patriots' tight end. And Gronkowski still finished with 88 yards and a touchdown on six receptions (10 targets).
Gronkowski ran the stick-out, the deep crosser off play action, the inside seam, etc. Without Edelman, the Patriots used more 12 personnel packages (2WR-2TE-1RB). But how will the Broncos adjust this weekend to prep for both of Brady's top targets?
If we are talking straight matchups, I would put Chris Harris Jr. on Edelman in man-coverage and allow the cornerback to shadow with Edelman. Regardless of alignment or pre-snap motion, Harris plays cat coverage there and gets up on Edelman at the snap. The Chiefs did a very poor job of disrupting the release at the line of scrimmage against the Patriots and it showed in the results. (The one wild card here is Harris' shoulder injury, which clearly affected him last week against the Steelers.)
With Gronkowski, I would mix different assignments with the safeties and cornerback Aqib Talib to play physical football. Gronkowski is going to use the push-off to create separation. That's the same with every tight end in the league. The Broncos need defenders who can match Gronkowski at the break and stay in-phase to challenge him. No free releases here. That's automatic trouble. And I truly think Talib is the best matchup from the perspective of the Broncos.
Yes, the Broncos can use trap coverages outside with cornerbacks lying in the weeds to jump Edelman on the outside break from the slot or jam Gronkowski off the line with a safety playing over the top in coverage. Plus, they can play combination man-looks, Quarters coverage, etc. But regardless of the coverages, this is still about one-on-ones from my perspective. Challenge the receivers and try to disrupt Brady's quick release
No matter the scheme, though, you can't eliminate both of these guys. And that's what makes the Patriots one of the toughest matchups in pro football.
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