Mike Dussault

This season I’ve been trying to keep track of just what the Pats are doing on defense and as you can see, it’s get a little complicated. With so many young players there’s a constant shift in personnel from week to week. 

But last night’s game was one of the most straightforward defensive game plans we’ve seen in a while and is a good place to reset where we’re at.

BASE 3-4 DEFENSE

Brace – Wilfork – Deaderick

Ninkovich – Spikes – Mayo – Cunningham

McCourty – Meriweather – Chung – Arrington

This is the run stopping formation. While there will be some rotation with the line and Tully Banta-Cain, this is emerging as the best 3-4 look the Pats can put together.

NICKEL DEFENSE

Crable – Wright – Warren – Banta-Cain

Mayo – Guyton

McCourty – Wilhite – Meriweather – Chung – Arrington (Sanders rotating in)

DIME DEFENSE

Crable – Wright – Banta-Cain

Mayo – Guyton

McCourty – Wilhite – Brown – Meriweather – Chung – Wilhite – Arrington

(Sanders rotates in here as well)