Von Miller and Demarcus Ware vs. the Patriots

Feb 2, 2016

Follow @FriesFootball

Follow @NFLbreakdowns

1-10-NE 44 (Q4, 3:55) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 87-R.Gronkowski to DEN 28 for 28 yards (33-S.Keo) [94-D.Ware].

Getting a hit on the QB doesn’t always mean you affect the result of the play. Here, Ware is able to win on the speed rush and get a hit on Brady’s leg. However, the LB in coverage was beaten badly by Gronk and the Patriots got a big gain out of the play. Still, there’s something to be said for getting to Brady here. Continually taking hits can wear a QB down.

2-1-DEN 9 (Q4, 2:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short left to 28-J.White.

This wasn’t scored a hit for Ware because Brady threw the ball away to fast, but I’m counting it as one because he destroyed the play. The Patriots have a five man protection against five rushers from the Broncos. For some reason I can’t fathom (he’s the furthest outside rusher, but come on he’s Demarcus Ware) they decide not to account for Ware. This is a huge mistake, as Ware is instantly in Brady’s face again and Brady has to throw it in the dirt, releasing the ball before White was anywhere near finished with his slant route.

2-10-50 (Q4, 1:46) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short right to 28-J.White [94-D.Ware].

On this play we get to see Ware’s bull rush. He initiates contact, puts Vollmer on skates back towards Brady, and then rips to disengage and chase the QB. That’s absolutely textbook. He ends up chasing Brady down, but the QB is able to get the ball away, if only barely. Still, this kills a down, and the Patriots need all the chances they can get at this point.

3-10-50 (Q4, 1:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short right to 87-R.Gronkowski [94-D.Ware].

Ware went right back at it on the next snap. This time, he’s helped by Stork’s tell and he runs straight around Vollmer. Unfortunately, he’s not able to take Brady down instantly, and Brady gets rid of the ball as he’s spinning around. Tom Brady really needs to be commended for his heroics in figuring out ways to throw the ball away on this drive, because it saved crucial time on the clock. This brought up a 4th-and-10, which left the Patriots looking pretty dead in the water at the time.

3-4-DEN 4 (Q4, :21) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass incomplete short middle to 11-J.Edelman [94-D.Ware].

Ware gets the official credit, but Miller, Ware, and Derek Wolfe all got to give Brady a little love on this play. Once again, all of the Broncos get a fantastic jump on the snap. Ware actually gives a decent example of why how much bend Miller gets on his rushes is incredibly hard to do. Here, he slips and falls at Brady’s feet. Miller is able to stay upright. That’s not intended as an indictment of Ware, but rather praise of Miller for his otherworldly flexibility and balance. Brady’s throw goes into the dirt. Once again, however, it’s meaningful to note that Brady got the ball out. There are 21 seconds left in the game. New England does have a timeout, but Brady had numerous opportunities to be sacked on this drive, and if he goes down on one of those earlier plays and then on this one, this play could very well have ended the game.

4-4-DEN 4 (Q4, :17) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-D.Ware].

The Broncos’ pass rush clearly did not want to go out without a fight in this game. It’s do or die for the Patriots here, and the Broncos’ DL brings maximum effort. Ware is the most effective, as he puts Vollmer on tracks right into Brady’s lap. Brady cannot step into this throw at all, and he just has to lob the ball up to Gronk. Gronk gives an astounding effort to make the catch, but the Patriots subsequently failed on the two point conversion, so his effort was for naught.

In the AFC Championship Game, the Patriots fought hard to give themselves a chance at the end. The Broncos’ pass rush, led by Von Miller and Demarcus Ware, went punch-for-punch with they every single play. In the end, the Broncos ended up victorious, thanks in large part to their tremendous effort in harassing Brady all day. Yes, Bryan Stork was tipping the snap count, and that did play a role in the Broncos teeing off on Brady. However, Miller and Ware also displayed their supreme collective talent, which made them the best pass rushing tandem in the NFL this year. The pair will face a harder test against the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl, but Miller and Ware are up for the challenge. Ware and Miller vs. Oher and Remmers will be a matchup to watch, and it may even end up being the deciding factor in the Super Bowl like it was in the AFC Championship Game.