I didn't correct it in our AIM chat, but the fumble came right at the end of the first half, you were up 7-3, I had just made an FG to make it 7-6. You drove down the field with the incredible Ravens passing game and you had a lot of time left while you were camped in my redzone. I would have run too, I managed to get in there with Strahan and just did a regular tackle (It's stupid to try and hitstick Lewis) and the ball just popped out. That was definitely the momentum changer.
I plan harder for Matrix than I do for anyone else, and I practice with tougher conditions. My gameplan was as follows:
Defense - Stop weakside runs and neutralize Jonathan Ogden by running a flipped 4-3 over on every running down. Double Jamal Lewis with my safety, but don't cheat the defenders in front of their assignments and reveal what I was doing. Strahan on the right side would be able to contain runs as, like last game, Matrix would usually send an extra blocker for Strahan if he was passing, so it would tip me off. And, again, he only ran outside the tackles. Didn't worry about the passing game much. I would double Heap if necessary. The TD was a result of a drive in which at the end, Matrix ran to the right, I went to tackle him with Strahan and Lewis BROKE the tackle. I was miffed, but not upset. I physically made the play but the game logic was against me for that one play, which was fine.
Offense - Thinking that he would key in on the things that I did in the last game, and posted about in this topic, I opened up passing. first drive had 55 yards passing to 6 yards running. After I saw I could move the ball I went straight to ball control running. It was raining so I had to put Ron Dayne in. Putting stats together last night helped as it showed that you are 7th in yards allowed with the best defense in the game, so I assume you are bad at defensive playcalling. Made use of it with the audible I was calling... which were, admittedly, just formation shifts. :| I was hoping I would be able to catch you with it all game long, thank God it worked.
As promised, Mike Strahan horsetrailer player of the game! 4 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble! Can't wait until season 3 where I will prove that my D-Line play isn't just a result of me using a future hall of famer.
"Tasted like chicken!"
Now for the IMPOSSIBLE task of planning against Fifty. Looks like he has been on a tear offensively in his last four games.
Good thing... I have NORMAN HAND.
