Patriots Film Review: Defense Got No Juice Edition

In today’s film review I’m going to try to ignore Jamie Collins. It would be easy to make this all about Collins and how his play in this single game may or may not have impacted him getting traded. But here on the blog I’m about the future and without Collins there’s plenty of work to be done. What exactly the remaining players need to do to pick up the slack is what I prefer to focus on.

Let’s take a look at what went down in Buffalo.

— Alan Branch should’ve had two sacks on the first drive but Tyrod Taylor twice evaded his finishing grasp, including one on third down that allowed the drive to keep going. At least he was winning his matchup. That’s the biggest thing that hasn’t been happening. And yes, as it’s been said this week, Branch might be the Pats best defensive player the first half of this season, at least in the front seven. Put me down for Malcolm Butler overall.

— After giving up a BDB (Bend-Don’t-Break) first drive, allowing three points, the Pats forced a three-and-out on the next drive but the third down should’ve been converted if not for a Buffalo drop. The Pats rushed five and again, nobody got home, including, uh, #91, who was stopped stone cold coming off the edge by a nice block from the running back. Lucky stuff.

But let’s cleanse the palate with another of what are becoming weekly Elandon Roberts GIFs. Watch him push the lead blocker #70 back into the hole and use him to help make the tackle.

— Third drive and it’s already 14-3, so it’s time to keep that in mind schematically. It’s another three-and-out, with impressive run stopping plays on first and second down from Vincent Valentine and Branch again. On third down the Pats ran Cover 2 Zone with a four-man rush. Taylor took the check down and excellent tackling held the Bills short of the first down. This was actually all pretty good. There. I feel a little better. But not much.

— Devin McCourty had one of his best games of the season. He’s showing up a lot more around the line of scrimmage this year. Seemed like the last couple years they really kept him on the back end more often with spot coverage of tight ends on third down. Now they’ll put him on TEs or RBs on any down. Maybe that speaks to Duron Harmon‘s development.

— The Bills put together a touchdown drive in the second quarter, sparked by a PI call on Eric Rowe that came on 3rd-and-12. Really an unnecessary penalty as Rowe was in phase and just needed to locate the ball instead of barring the receiver’s left arm. Pats rushed four on this one but it looked more like they were all just running into the offensive line and stopping. The fire up front was nonexistent.

— After another 25 yard pick up right after the PI call with Shea McClellin getting burned, the Pats picked up a 12 Men penalty, then almost got another one on the next play but called a timeout to save them from it. This kind of brain fart never happens with the Patriots defense and it was really embarrassing. This is the kind of thing that has to fall on the defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

— On the touchdown run Collins had a clean shot at the running back but couldn’t make the play. I do think Elandon Roberts is far better suited for that situation and it should be him in there going forward.

— The 11-play, 44 yard drive near the end of the first half was brutal. It’s hard for me to bag on Sheard/Long/Ninkovich, but yikes, none of them had much juice in this one and as you can see below, Sheard/Nink single blocked. Taylor never looked uncomfortable in the pocket in the first half.  Calm as a day at the beach. That’s what has to change. #PassRushProbs

— The Bills opened the second half with their third (and final) double-digit-plays drive of the game, going 13 plays for 75 yards, capping it off with a touchdown. This of course coming after the 11 play drive that ended the first half. But after Dont’a Hightower‘s sack on third down it should’ve ended with an easy three-and-out. Instead the punter dropped the ball and rushed for a first down. Maddening.

— Collins did get obviously held on Taylor’s 26-yard keeper touchdown. Otherwise he would’ve finished him off. I think. And then maybe he’d still be a Patriot. Just kidding.

— I don’t usually time QB’s times in the pocket but on the 20-yard pass on the first play of the next drive Taylor had 3.45 seconds. An eternity. And the Pats had sent five by blitzing Malcolm Butler. Again, Nink and Sheard got no juice.

— I’ve said in the past that since the Patriots have never given a cornerback a great long term contract I didn’t think Malcolm Butler would get one, but he really does deserve one. I hope the Patriots break with their tradition. He’s one of the only Patriots defenders playing with fire and passion right now. Everyone else looks lost in thought at times.

Things devolved in the fourth quarter down to the backup quarterbacks, but my biggest criticism of the defense continued in this game — guys in the front seven are not winning their matchups, even when there’s only one guy blocking them. They’re capable of so much better.

Collins was the sacrificial lamb and hopefully that message gets across. But I have to say I wonder how much of all this falls on Matt Patricia. Nothing screams coaching problems louder than when talented players aren’t living up to their talent. Especially when the schemes remain the same as what we saw in recent seasons.

The only significant difference now is that Patricia is trying to slide his defensive ends and linebackers all around the line to cause confusion, but it’s not working.

There needs to be some back to the drawing board over the bye week.