This Week in Running: Kansas City Preview

[soxfan121]

Mark Schofield has your Patriots running game preview for the MNF contest against Kansas City. 
 
http://central.sonsofsamhorn.net/authors/mark-schofield/this-week-in-running-kansas-city-preview/
 

Because of their success using cutback lanes, both the Titans and the Broncos ran designated cutback plays where the running back looks to cut to the backside immediately upon taking the handoff. An example of this comes as the Titans are moving down the field on the opening possession of the second half (a fact that suggests this was a halftime adjustment). They have Dexter McCluster in the backfield next to Locker with 11 personnel on the field. The Chiefs are in one of their sub packages with two defensive tackles as two outside linebackers walk up to the line of scrimmage into defensive end alignment, each in a two point stance. Kansas City then positions two more linebackers over the middle of the ball sets up with five defensive backs. Now watch the movement from the running back. At the snap, McCluster takes two hard steps to his left towards Locker to receive the handoff and then immediately turns back to his right to run off tackle. This play is a designed cutback from the start, as McCluster does not even think about taking this play to the left side of the formation. 
 

 

 

[JMDurron]

Is it reasonable to assume that Vereen is likely the go-to RB against Kansas City against the 2-4-5 and 1-3-7 fronts, while Ridley is the logical cutback attacker against the standard 3-4 defensive front?  I would think that Vereen wouldn't be the most credible threat on a stretch play, while Ridley isn't likely to be on the field in a situation where KC would be playing only 2 or even 1 defensive linemen.