The Patriots defense continued their streak of solid play against the Dolphins, only allowing 10 points and showing more of their renowned Bend-Don’t-Break style. There isn’t a lot of flash or sizzle with this defense, instead it’s mostly role players doing their jobs, tackling well and getting off the field in critical situations.
The team is on a seven-game win streak and they haven’t given up more than 20 points in a game since losing to the Panthers back in Week 4. As we’re well aware, points are what matters most but how good is this Patriots defense really? It’s been fairly smooth sailing as the offense has broken 30 points the last three weeks and has been generally in control for most of the seven games they’ve won in a row.
I still have my questions, not that I’m skeptical, but because I like to see the true character of a defense revealed and that only comes in pressure-packed situations, which they’ve mostly been able to avoid of late. That’s helped them get their feet under them, and the next few weeks should provide some more interesting challenges, especially facing the mobile Tyrod Taylor on the road this weekend and then the vaunted Steeler offense in two weeks after a rematch with the Dolphins in Miami (which I am very much not looking forward to).
Here’s 10 hits on 10 players who stood out to me against the Dolphins, players that will be critical to the defense for a Super Bowl run.
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- Eric Lee was forced into pass rush duty and I thought he showed good energy to go with his 6’3″, 260-pound size. He looked bigger to me than that on film and I think what’s apparent between him and Trevor Reilly is that they are bigger more physical players than Cassius Marsh was. That’s always been a hallmark of the Patriots defense and I’ll be curious to keep an eye on those two because the Pats are going to need that rotational pass rusher for long yardage situations.
- I still saw some hesitations on the bunch sets which tells me they’re not quite out of the woods on those yet. Specifically on the 28-yard catch by Kenny Stills in the early fourth quarter. The defensive backs were talking right up until the snap and after having started with Gilmore at the point (on the line), they motioned him back. Just looked like a little throwback to the early struggles this season.
- Elandon Roberts has blossomed with more playing time, taking strides to no longer be a problem against the pass. The remedy this week was to send him blitzing more and he picked up two sacks, one of which was just a clear path to the quarterback. I love Roberts’ downhill power, he’s a force against the run, but as he’s become more comfortable reading the play action stuff he’s really rounded into a solid player. He’s played 45 percent of the snaps this season.
- Malcom Browns return went under the radar as he usually does but for a guy who missed a couple weeks with an ankle injury he looked mostly like the same dominant guy he’s been all season. He, like Trey Flowers, are just masters of technique. Brown doesn’t overwhelm with size like Vince Wilfork used to, he wins with athleticism and being a technician and it’s fun to watch.
- The Patriots are blitzing Malcolm Butler a bunch this year, to the point where even him faking the blitz confused Matt Moore long enough for Roberts to get one of his sacks. Butler brings such a presence and it’s fun watching him get to go after quarterbacks now too.
- When we look back on this second Patriots run I think Patrick Chung has to be one of the main guys we talk about. He doesn’t have the big name recognition of Rodney Harrison, mostly because he doesn’t play over the edge like Hot Rod did, but he embodies this defense with his solid tackling. It’s like he’s in on every play and can basically play any spot on defense outside of defensive tackle. He’s truly under appreciated and I’d love to see a deep dive from Belichick on all that Chung can do.
- It’s amazing to see Kyle Van Noy‘s progression this season and he was once again ultra involved against the Dolphins. He just looks so much more confident and it’s like he’s letting the defense do the work for him, if that makes sense. His pass drops are decisive and his pass rushes are well-timed and effective. He’s really developed into a key cog.
- Adam Butler and Dietrich Wise continue to have their moments but I think the Patriots will need some splash plays out of them in the playoffs if they’re truly going to make a run. I can already see it now, one of them beats his blocker and closes in on Ben Roethlisberger. Can they tackle the hard-to-tackle quarterback and end the play? Or does Ben slip free and make a big play down the field. Those are the kind of things that will make or break the Pats D against an explosive offense like Pitt’s.
- Lawrence Guy is another…well… guy who doesn’t get a lot of the spotlight but has been a very solid addition this offseason. I guess maybe the Pats saw Alan Branch regressing at his age with two Super Bowl rings now weighing him down. Guy hasn’t quite been the interior pass rusher I’d hoped he’d be, but he’s been an excellent interior player who fits the Pats’ scheme well with his ability to occupy multiple blockers.
- I’m not sure Jonathan Jones can ever play the outside but he’s sure made a case that he’s a capable slot corner. It will be interesting to see what happens when Eric Rowe suits up again. Rowe has a size advantage which will be needed against Pitt for sure, but Jones has shown the speed and tenacity to hang with just about any receiver.
