The facts are daunting.
The Patriots defense allowed points scored, either touchdowns or field goals, the last 41 times the opponents entered the red zone. Arizona is the second highest scoring team in the league that features receivers 6-0 Steve Breaston, 6-1 Anquan Boldin, and 6-3 Larry Fitzgerald. New England's cornerbacks measure 5-9 Ellis Hobbs, 5-11 Jonathan Wilhite, and 5-11 Deltha O'Neal.
Thankfully, it looks like Boldin will not play Sunday. But even without him, the Pats' secondary are at a disadvantage.
Arizona probably will go after New England's weak secondary with their second-ranked passing offense. Quarterback Kurt Warner should feel comfortable in the pocket behind an offensive line that allowed 24 sacks all year. And because New England's pass rush isn't much of a threat with just 26 sacks, Warner could have all day to pick the secondary apart.
This is a worse match-up than the Pats front seven against Oakland's running game. If I was concerned about that last week, I should be losing sleep over this.
I know it's coming at some point tomorrow. 'Zona enters the red zone. A few plays in, as they creep closer to the goal line, Warner takes the snap and lofts a pass towards the corner of the end zone with either Fitzgerald or Breaston waiting underneath. In a jump ball situation, the Cards' have a great chance to come down with the ball.
All hope is not lost. O'Neal and Wilhite can be competitive with Breaston and Fitzgerald. Or the Patriots could get physical with Arizona's wide outs with safety Brandon Merriweather moving outside and the versatile 6-1 DB Lewis Sanders getting up close and personal in bump and run.
But the bottom line is this is a mismatch. 'Zona's receiving corps reminds me of San Diego because they have size and speed. Looking back to that week six beating, there was nothing the Patriots could do to stop the 6-5 Vincent Jackson. Even with good coverage on him, Jackson was able to reach over the defender and make plays. Jackson finished with 134 yards and a touchdown, Phillip Rivers topped 300 yards passing, New England barely pressured Rivers, and couldn't sack him either.
I don't want to experience a case of deja vu.
