Gronkowski played the first four games.
He was targetted 11, 6, 6, and 3 times, the latter was the KC blow-out with Brady getting hit a lot. They then go on a six game tear, where they average around 40 plus points a game. Before that they didn't break 20 twice, scored 20 once and 30 against a bad Vikings team.
Schematically, they push the limits.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...s-to-restrict-new-englands-substitution-game/
Dungy points out it's more than a one-time tactic. And this would confuse defenses to a large extent.
Wade Phillips in an interview in the off-season pointed out how both them and Denver often have players block when the ball is in the air. Even though it's illegal, he says it's often been overlooked because of the way the league has pushed offenses. He points out that screens, it happens quite a bit and makes it very difficult to defend. The point being, they adjust to teams via even the most obscure ways.
As an aside, I think that's one of the reasons the short passing game has blown into leading to huge gains is precisely because of these lax rules. I think Seattle blew up the Broncos last year, precisely because they got to the WRs quickly on the sort routes and snuffed everything out. The more I think about it, it's become clear that the success of these teams are predicated on rules that open up offenses, which also obscures QB play in today's game. We witnessed today's offense with the Bills and the K-Gun. These types of offenses were destroyed by NFC defenses.
