Last week in my All-22 review I took a look at the atrocious 3rd down defense against the Jets, so this week I’m following that up looking at how the defense turned things around against the Dolphins on the money down, giving up conversions on just 2-of-11.
The headline is of course pass rush, which was non-existent against the Jets but suddenly great against Miami. If they play like that consistently in the playoffs if won’t matter who’s in the secondary.
Also want to focus on how Collins and Hightower are used on each down.
Here’s a look at all 11 third downs and what the Pats did.
1. 1Q, Pats 7-0, 3rd-and-11, Matthews 15-yard catch. FIRST DOWN!
The first third down of the day was the worst one as the Pats defense picked up where they had left off against the Jets, giving up a third-and-long.
Pats show Cover-2, but it’s actually Cover-1 with McCourty coming down as the “Robber”. Hightower blitzes off the edge, Collins is in man on the running back. Easley is double teamed and can’t split it. Chandler tries a move back inside but is stood up, while Ninkovich soft rushes and appears to be spying Tannehill. Ryan does get a hand on Matthews, but it’s a good route and a perfect throw. Here you just need Hightower or Jones to win and neither did.
2. 1Q, Pats 7-0, 3rd-and-8, Chandler Jones SACK!
Pats are in Cover-1, Collins in man on the RB, McCourty on the TE. Hightower is off for a three safety/three corner, speed front with Grissom and Easley inside.
This was a designed screen that was blown up by Chung reading it perfectly and Grissom getting after Tannehill with his hair on fire. But it’s Chung that makes Tannehill pull it down. Chandler gets the sack but the play was completely broken down by that point so it’s hard to really say it was all him.
3. 2Q, Pats 7-0, 3rd-and-10, BAD SNAP SAFETY!
Same three-safety/three-corner package as before without Hightower. Cover-1 Robber, with Chung on the TE and McCourty coming down. Collins on the RB. Bad snap makes it easy.
4. 2Q, Pats 9-0, 3rd-and-10, INCOMPLETE!
This time we’ve got three-safety/three-corner but Hightower on for Grissom. Cover-1 Man, Ryan is in off-man coverage and is in perfect position for when the ball has to come out due to the pressure. This time it’s McCourty in coverage on the running back as the Pats rush five. Both Chandler and Ninkovich win inside and Tannehill just has to chuck it. Full credit here to Chandler Jones for a great move.
5. 2Q, Pats 9-0, 3rd-and-10, Chandler Jones SACK!
Interesting package here with four safeties, three corners, two LBs and two DEs. Harmon took the deep middle, while McCourty and Richards played an underneath zone. Chung had the TE (who stayed in to block) while Collins took the RB. But this was all Chandler Jones as he splits the TE/LT double team and gets the sack.
6. 2Q, Pats 12-0, 3rd-and-13, INCOMPLETE (Chung pass defended)
Same four-safety/three-corner look from the last third down with no defensive tackles. Collins is on the RB leaving just 50/54/95 to rush the passer. Was a pretty quick throw, but neither Chandler or Ninkovich made much of an impact on it. Chung plays it perfectly, and Richards helps from his under-zone coverage spot. Really he probably could pick this one.
7. 3Q, Pats 22-7, 3rd-and-1, Miller -2 rush!
Finally a third-and-short and the Pats go to their regular package with 4 DL/3 LB. Nothing technical here, simply Siliga exploding into the seam between the blockers and making the play in the backfield. Hicks also does a good job on his side, as does Freeny who fills well. This is the kind of short yardage play the Patriots have not made enough of in the last two years. Positive sign.
8. 3Q, Pats 22-7, 3rd-and-3, Matthews 4 yard catch FIRST DOWN!
Patriots break out a new look here at the end of the third quarter with Collins and Hightower on the edges, Easley/Grissom in the B gaps and Chandler Jones head-up on the center. Nink comes on a delayed blitz but the Miami OL does a good job pushing the entire pass rush to Tannehill’s right. Matthews gets just enough separation on the drag route and converts the second third-down of the day.
9. 4Q, Pats 29-7, 3rd-and-28, Gray 3-yard catch.
After back to back sacks Miami is in a huge hole. Dolphins just concede with the checkdown and the Pats snuff it out.
10. 4Q, Pats 36-7, 3rd-and-10, Matthews 5-yard catch.
Pats are working in their backups at this point (Hi Jerod Mayo!). Quick throw by Tannehill but good toughness by the defense to fight off blocks and hold him to just 5 yards off the WR screen that Matthews look less than enthusiastic about running.
11. 4Q, Pats 36-7, 3rd-and-23, Incomplete
Last one of the game and the pass rush isn’t exactly rushing like it’s the Super Bowl anymore. Ryan is in off man and plays the in cut well, although I don’t think he got a hand on the ball.
Final Thoughts: It was interesting to see Hightower come off the field on third down in a couple situations. The 4 safety/3 cornerback package was a new twist I don’t recall before, but in tracking all the third downs you can see how they throw new curves in each quarter to keep things fresh. This was a great game for Chandler Jones, and I’d love to see him put three games in Jan/Feb together like this. If he can, the Pats could win the Super Bowl. He’s such a big key because they can scheme him to get one-on-one matchups. Same thing for Sheard once he returns.
