Keep our defense off the field. Whether we do that with a ton of short passes or by being able to sustain a functional running game allowing us to use more of the play book.
The more touches Dalvin Cook gets the more likely they are to stay ahead or even pull away just like the last 2 years.
If their receivers have progressed along with Maguire at QB we could be in for a long night.
Their defense will be stout if not outstanding. Trying to heave the ball downfield repeatedly WITHOUT establishing a short ball control passing game and keeping the LBer's and Safety's off the LOS would result in nothing more than a sack fest like last year. If they bite on the short game then sure, take a shot, but DO NOT WASTE down after down for something that probably won't work more than once at most.
Get the RB's involved with a few screens and check downs, Scarlett can do some damage after the catch especially if he gets a block or shakes a tackle when they start to crowd. And for the love of God use some misdirection in the running game.
We won't be able to over power them from start to finish so I'd say stay away from a lot of straight ahead power stuff early until we start seeing some hands on hips, and yes it hurts me to say that, but the reality is unless they come in banged up on the defensive line we don't have the balls for that yet.....
On defense I would play it safe. 4 man fronts and SOLID gap control is a must!!! There is no sense blitzing a high percentage of the time because if they check down to Cook it's nighty night time. Them countering an occasion 8 yard sack with a 40 yard screen pass to Cook is just counter productive. I would make them earn every damned yard they get by playing straight up conventional defense.
I know I'll catch some flack for saying this but lastly do not take a lot of chances by going for it on 4th and short on their side of the field, we should have a kicker this year. We left 12 points on the field last year by not being able to kick a FG. Take the points. No fake kicks, all that will do is fire up their home crowd even more. Play it safe on 3rd and long because their athlete's can turn a mistake into 6 points and change momentum in a heartbeat. Take a page out of the 2012 game....bore them to death if you have to but don't let their explosive athlete's win the game because of 4 or 5 outstanding plays. Unlike 2012 we HAVE WR's and a sound offensive scheme with a viable short passing game.....use it. If the running game opens up stay with it until you can take 1 or maybe 2 shots. Not the prettiest way to win a game but none of their wins in the last 6 years have been things of beauty either.
