New England Patriots: How To Take Down Tom Brady and the Patriots
The New England Patriots have seemed virtually unstoppable lately, playing at an extremely high level and owners of a 12-2 record.
They've won their last six games, including against Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, the Jets, Chicago and Green Bay.
And they've done so in convincing fashion, blowing out the Jets in Week 13, 45-3 and the Bears in Week 14, 36-7.
It's times like these that we need to grasp for reasons why the Patriots can be stopped, if only to give us hope that this season won't end predictably, with a Patriots championship.
Although I don't personally think they can be stopped, here are 10 ways To Take Down Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Most likely, all these methods will have to be used against the Patriots.
Good luck, NFL teams not named the New England Patriots. You're gonna need it.
10. Blitz Brady
1 of 10
If you watched the Giants-Eagles game Sunday, the Giants kept Michael Vick contained in the first half by constantly blitzing and pass rushing to the extreme.
You can only hope that the same thing can work against Tom Brady.
Hey, it's worth a shot.
9. Use Various Coverages
2 of 10
In the Patriots' two losses this season, the Jets and Cleveland Browns were able to use various coverages and schemes in order to make life more difficult for Brady and the Patriots.
Whether the Patriots' struggles early in the year was more a result of this or the fact they just weren't in sync yet is debatable.
But you might as well try. It's better than sitting back and watching Brady pick you apart.
8. Make It a Shootout
3 of 10
Sure, this seems like it's asking for trouble, but it might just work given the Patriots' young defense.
Of course, this defense has gotten better as the season has progressed, but Packers backup QB Matt Flynn almost beat them in Week 15.
I mean, Matt Flynn of all people.
If Flynn can almost beat them in a shootout, I'm sure someone like the Atlanta Falcons or New Orleans Saints could have a chance.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Take the Ball Out of Brady's Hand
4 of 10
You may be asking, "And how, Sir Ryan, do you do that?"
Good question.
I'm guessing blitzing and giving the Patriots a wide open lane to run through might help.
Then you can hope your single safety can tackle BenJarvus Green-Ellis or Danny Woodhead.
Hey, it's better than Tom Brady throwing the ball.
6. Catch Them Cheating
5 of 10
We all know about "Spygate," when the Patriots secretly videotaped New York Jets' defensive coaches giving signals on the sidelines on Sept. 9, 2007.
All you can hope for is they do it again and you catch them, and maybe, the league takes further action than just fining them and taking away a future first-round draft pick.
Like, they declare the Patriots disqualified for the game, and you win the game by forfeit.
5. Use Tricky Trickery
6 of 10
The Cleveland Browns succeeded in using trickery against the Patriots in Week 9.
First, the Browns sprang a pop-up kickoff to set up their first touchdown of the game.
In another play at the New England 11, Browns running back Joshua Cribbs took the snap at quarterback and handed the ball off to receiver Chansi Stuckey, who was lined up behind right guard. Stuckey sprinted for the left corner of the end zone, and by the time the Patriots reacted, it was too late.
Just use a little tricky trickery is all you have to do.
4. Convince Patriots Randy Moss Is a Changed Man
7 of 10
OK, this might take a lot of convincing, but nonetheless, if you can convince Bill Belichick that Randy Moss is a changed man, he might just take him back thinking he needs him.
Then watch and cackle as all Hell breaks loose and the Patriots' precious team chemistry goes down the tubes.
What better way to kill a team than send team-killer Randy Moss to them?
3. Scare the Patriots Receivers
8 of 10
With veterans Wes Welker and Deion Branch leading the charge for the receiving core, this might be a tough task.
But giving them a little nudge while they're flying down the middle of the field might just cause them to start dropping some balls in fear of getting hurt badly.
Hey, defenses do it all the time.
The Browns did it in Week 9.
A big reason they beat the Patriots in Week 9 was because of crucial drops by receivers and a fumble by tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Sure, that might have been because the Pats were outta sync, but let's just say it was because of the Browns defense for the sake of the argument, shall we?
2. Know Their Plays
9 of 10
Another reason you could say the Browns beat the Patriots in Week 9 is because they knew their plays.
After all, Browns coach Eric Mangini was part of Bill Belichick's staff back in the day.
He had to know to some extent what Belichick was up to.
Knowing a few of the Patriots' favorite plays couldn't hurt.
In fact, it could help a lot.
1. Cut Off Brady's Hair A La Samson
10 of 10
For those of you who haven't read the Bible before, Samson was a Herculean figure granted tremendous strength by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary humans.
Sound like someone you know?
Anyway, the story goes that Samson's lover, Delilah, is bribed by the Philistines to find the secret of Samson's strength.
It turns out, if he cuts his hair, he loses his strength.
The story ends with God leaving Samson after his locks are cut because it breaks the Nazarite oath. Samson is consequently captured by the Philistines, who stab out his eyes with their swords. After being blinded, Samson is brought to Gaza, imprisoned and put to work grinding grain.
While I certainly wouldn't want this to happen to Brady, simply losing his strength would do just fine.
Except bribing Gisele Bundchen might not work; I'm pretty sure Brady has plenty of money for the both of them.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")