The New England Patriots have allowed just 19 total points in the first two rounds of the NFL playoffs combined.
Their defense will travel to Denver, where the Broncos’ backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, will be asked to win his first start in more than two years to send his team to the Super Bowl.
Former Patriots backup quarterback Scott Zolak spoke from experience on “Zolak and Bertrand,” outlining just how hard it is going to be for Stidham to step into the role.
“He hasn’t processed a game in three years,” Zolak said. “When I say processed a game, here’s what I mean:
“‘Okay, where’s the ball at? We’re going to go regular personnel? Okay, regular personnel. You get out there, now you look to the sideline. Did we change the personnel group? I got my eye on the play clock. I can’t hear anything. What’s the call? Oh crap, we got a guy down — we have to get this guy in — we are changing the protection. What did coach tell me this week at practice?’”
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Stidham has started just four games in the seven years since he was drafted by New England, but none of which compare to the challenge and circumstance of Sunday’s battle.
Zolak predicts that, in addition to getting everything right presnap, the post-snap environment will be overwhelming.
“Of course it’s fine in practice, you’re just running plays. You’re out there running around, throwing the ball, getting the timing down,” Zolak said. “Then the ‘bleep’ hits the fan at 3 o’clock on Sunday, it’s real now.
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“Now you hear the cracking bodies flying around. You’re not used to getting hit, you’re not used to having people at your feet in practice… everybody is out there trying to take your head off.”
The former quarterback finished by saying it is important for the Patriots to man-up the Broncos receivers and force Stidham to make big-time throws. Opposed to sitting back in zone coverage and allowing him to create a rhythm early in his first career playoff start.
“If you haven’t done it in a while, it mentally consumes you,” Zolak said.
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