Steve Silverman

Josh McDaniels is the man with the keys to the New England Patriots’ Lamborghini. It’s the perfect vehicle for the man who drives the league’s best offensive show.

Under the hood, McDaniels has quite the well-oiled machine. Tom Brady at quarterback, Randy Moss and Wes Welker as wide receivers. Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk running the ball. The NFL’s most cohesive offensive line.

Yeah, it’s tough job. Somebody has to do it.

McDaniels, an excellent playcaller, and has benefited from his offensive stars staying relatively healthy all season, but also deserves credit for keeping the offense running at a high level all season. The Patriots were first in total yards per game, passing yards per game, passing yards per play, interception percentage, first downs per game and average gain per offensive play.

They were also first in the most important offensive category: points per game, 36.8.

So why is the Patriots’ second-year offensive coordinator so good at his job? He took a page from George Seifert’s handbook.

The San Francisco 49ers had just won their third Super Bowl when head coach Bill Walsh stepped down in 1989. So when Seifert inherited the keys to the 49ers’ Porsche, his wife Linda gave him simple instructions for keeping that vehicle running smoothly: “George,” she whispered, “don’t screw it up.”

Linda Seifert was no football expert, but she knew enough. She knew that Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, John Taylor and Roger Craig were a threat to score any time they were on the field and no matter the field position. All her husband had to do was stay out of their way.

The Patriots offensive personnel has proven to be just as talented and potent as the 49ers offense was at its peak. It would not be surprising if Laura McDaniels had given her husband the same advice Seifert had been given.

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The Patriots’ offense has versatility. That means options for Tom Brady. They have had a few eye-opening trick plays this season — the Brady-to-Moss-to Brady-to-Jabar Gaffney flea-flicker in Week 14 against the Steelers comes to mind — but subterfuge has not been behind their success. They can beat opponents every way. 

Big plays to Moss have been a staple. Now in his 10th season, Moss has always been one of the game’s most dangerous deep threats. He’s among the league’s fastest players, can outjump most defenders and has great hands. Moss is usually too much for one defender to handle, which makes it easier for Brady to spot other receivers.

Like Welker. He tied for the league lead in receptions, and his third-down catches usually came with plenty of yards after the catch.

If either player struggled to get open, Brady can turn to Donte Stallworth, a capable deep threat who would start for most teams, or Jabar Gaffney.

Maroney has the speed to provide big plays on the ground. Faulk has the intelligence and savvy to keep the chains moving as a runner or a receiver. They have been overshadowed by Brady’s monster passing season, but have been phenomenal in the playoffs.