How the Patriots used two tight ends to carve up the Steelers
The two-tight end offense is back, and it’s as hard to defend as ever.
That’s the biggest takeaway upon closer review of the New England Patriots’ 28-21 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If this game was any indication, tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler will be a huge part of the Patriots’ offensive game plan all season long. Gronkowski and Chandler combined for six receptions, 95 yards and four touchdowns. Chandler contributed just one one-yard touchdown catch to that stat line, so most of the work was done by Gronkowski.
On Thursday, the Patriots came out with multiple tight ends (two or more) on 37 of their 58 offensive plays. The Patriots rushed 18 times for 65 yards and Brady completed 16 of his 19 passes for 180 yards and all four of his touchdowns.
The Patriots appear intent on utilizing two-tight end sets early and often in 2015, and why not? With wide receiver Brandon LaFell on the physically unable to perform list, the Patriots do have a need for bigger bodies on the field in the passing game.
The two big-bodied tight ends are constantly putting opposing defenses into a bind. The Patriots could trot both men out in spread sets, or keep them in-line as blocking tight ends. Defenses could choose a personnel grouping that they think might combat the two tight ends, but when the Patriots go no-huddle, it puts them on the attack and lets them dictate the matchups.
“I thought we were ready,’’ said Steelers safety Mike Mitchell. “I thought we had a good week of preparation. I thought we were better prepared for the tempo. There were a couple of times where we just didn’t communicate well enough and they were able to get us.’’
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One such instance of poor communication came on Gronkowski’s first touchdown catch.
For any defense facing the Patriots, there’s one thing that shouldn’t need to be communicated: cover Gronkowski. That happens to be the one thing that the Steelers didn’t do on this play, and this isn’t even the only time it happened.
Give Gronkowski a head of steam and it’s like trying to stop a monster truck from running you over. Just ask Steelers safety Robert Golden (21) and cornerback Antwon Blake (41), who both whiffed on tackles on the play.
“He’s a great player. He did a good job today,’’ said Golden. “There were some plays we kind of let them have, but he’s a great player.’’
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There were definitely some plays that the Steelers gave away; look no further than Gronkowski’s 52-yard reception in the fourth quarter, when the big tight end went streaking down the seam with not one pair of yellow game pants even trying to run with him.
That being said, there were also some instances where the Patriots tight end was simply too much for the Steelers to handle. On 2nd-and-goal with 4:06 left in the first half, the Patriots came out with four tight ends and one running back. Brady faked a handoff to Brandon Bolden that drew the linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage to defend the run.
Meanwhile, Gronkowski was as sneaky as any 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end can be as he got past the safeties and into the end zone. With two tight ends standing shorter than six feet, both trying to cover Gronkowski, all Brady had to do was float a pass up over everyone’s head; he knew that Gronkowski was big enough and strong enough to win that jump ball.
“Gronk is who he is,’’ said Golden. “We knew that going into this game. We knew Gronk was going to do what he does. We knew Brady was going to do what he does.’’
And now, we know the Patriots offense is going to do what it does: use its tight ends to create matchup advantages.
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