The Arizona Cardinals are hungry for their first-ever Super Bowl championship. Tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman are two of the best in the league at exploiting the seam, especially against aggressive pass rushes, and the Patriots will likely attempt to use battering ram LeGarrette Blount on early downs to keep Garoppolo out of risky down-and-distance situations – although one can never fully predict how Belichick and McDaniels will attempt to attack a defense.
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Meanwhile, Tom Brady drives 100 miles north to rural ME, where he pulls a baseball cap low over his head and watches the game at a bar. His up-and-down preseason has everyone guessing what he’s going to look like in his first career start.
“We’re not going into this game underestimating him at all”. That will come from other parts of the roster.
Will the digital version of the game mirror reality?
Brandon Williams on being ready to be targeted playing opposite Patrick Peterson: Of course I have no choice but to be! Their ability (or inability) to protect Garoppolo could be what ultimately makes the Patriots sink or swim. The Patriots will have to be successful through the first month of the season on the back of their excellent and underrated defense and special teams. On the other side of the ball, both Carson Palmer and the Patriots defense could have something to prove.
The Patriots are going to try to shut off the deep pass from Carson Palmer.
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That ends when Garoppolo takes the field Sunday at Arizona to become just the third opening day starter at quarterback that the Patriots have had since 1996. In the two minute drill, Garoppolo looked impressive. But that streak will come to an end Sunday night when Jimmy Garoppolo will be under center against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium (8:30 p.m.; Ch. 7, 10). They will need to give him time to execute every single play to avoid potential mistakes and turnovers.
It isn’t certain that Garoppolo’s top target will play. The start of a new National Football League season is always a great time of year for sports fans, and this year is no different, bringing in a new crop of drama and high hopes for each and every team. The players need to understand what’s collectively bargained and put all the issues on the table to make for a better game. Tom Brady comments aside, Palmer has a lot to answer for in this game after the last time he took the field in a meaningful game. Expect that to change on Sunday night. It won’t be an easy task for Garoppolo due to his lack of experience, but according to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, experience only comes in playing the games.
He also spoke at length about the defense, a unit that has improved significantly in recent years and upon which the onus will fall in Brady’s absence.
If Belichick’s history is any indication, he will key on Chandler Jones with his blocking schemes. “You always hear about the Patriot Plan, and it’s a damn good one”.
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Never mind that whole psychological aspect. The Patriots are obviously Super Bowl contenders once again this season but where they wind up seeded in the playoffs – or even whether they can win the division again – could possibly hinge on how they survive without their leader on offense. Enjoy the weekend of games and pray for my fantasy team, CJ Anderson scored 25 against me last night.
