ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando spends each Sunday with ESPN NFL analyst Jon Gruden and the Monday Night Football crew. This week, they're in Foxborough for the Buffalo Bills-New England Patriots matchup in Week 11 (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET). Here are some takeaways from Gruden about the Patriots' offensive schemes.
The Patriot Way has taken many forms this season.
It's 38-year-old Tom Brady attacking quarterback sneaks like a pugnacious rookie. It's tight end Rob Gronkowski taking pride in his pass protection. It's flanker Julian Edelman inserting in the run game to deliver key blocks. It's backup running back Brandon Bolden catching a deep touchdown pass on the same route starter Dion Lewis ran before an injury knocked him from the game. It's embracing whatever the team asks from you, instead of fighting it.
The Patriots' use of "jokers" can help illustrate the Patriot Way while providing a window into one of the reasons this team takes a 9-0 record into its Monday night matchup against the Buffalo Bills. In card games, jokers are good in any hand. On the football field, jokers are the running backs and tight ends who possess the versatility to line up where wide receivers typically align. These players are good in a variety of formations.
The Bills' ability to counter the Patriots' jokers could help decide this game's outcome. Here we break down the X's and O's to show gain a fuller understanding.