The Patriots turned in another stellar defensive effort against the Lions, not allowing a touchdown for the second time this season.
The coverage in the secondary is the thing sparking this new and improved Patriots defense, but the front seven are no slouches either, as they’ve been downright dominant in the running game.
They’ll face a great test this weekend in Green Bay, but until then, here are my All-22 thoughts on the defense’s performance against Detroit.
The Lions’ first drive might’ve been their best of the game and it started with a 24-yard WR screen to Golden Tate. Kyle Arrington’s overpursuit is what sprung it, but impressive speed by Dont’a Hightower to run down Tate.
Tate had another nice gain off a rub play that opened just enough space for a perfect pass. They were hitting these early, but not later.
The Patriots base, or “regular” 4-3 defense appeared on this drive, with Patrick Chung coming into the box as is often the case in almost a linebacker role. Casillas and Collins play OLB, but are at the end of the line with Hightower in the middle. We first saw this look in 2009, with six guys along the LOS and one linebacker and safety ready to make the play.
The Pats’ run defense has been among the best in the NFL the last three games, and the reason why is apparent from this regular defense play – no ground given, all taking on blocks with Hightower making the play. Just like you draw it up…
With Easley out, Chris Jones was the sub-rusher on the interior. Alan Branch had more snaps this week, but it could’ve been somewhat a trickle-down effect of Easley being out and Jones having to take his role over.
Pats double Calvin Johnson with Browner/McCourty on the final third down of the Lions’ first drive, with Revis defending the pass to Golden Tate underneath. Hightower took the RB, while Collins dropped to a short middle zone. Ninkovich/Jones/Ayers pressure was okay.
Impressive back-to-back plays by Browner on the second possession, first causing enough disruption on Calvin to force an incompletion and then coming down and supporting the edge against the run. The Pats DBs have really been great in run support lately.
On Ayers’ third-down sack, Stafford was looking to Tate coming out of a double stacked combination, but Revis got enough of a jam to force Stafford to hesitate. And Stafford probably could’ve made the throw, that kind of indecision crept into his game this day. Ayers had a nice outside-inside move and got under the left tackle to record the sack. Team defense.
Ninkovich recorded a sack on the first play of the next possession, off a great stunt with Alan Branch, who just plowed the guard into the backfield and the running back didn’t touch Ninkovich as he cut in behind. It looked like the Lions were trying to hit Tate on a double-move as Stafford pumps and goes to reload but it’s already too late. And Revis didn’t bite on the double move anyway.
Caught Wilfork talking to Raiola a bit after that sack too, planting the early seeds that would later grow into a cheap shot attempt at the end of the game.
This is a bit blurry but look at how the Pats are taking on blocks and holding their ground against the run and then getting off those blocks to make the tackle. There’s just nowhere for the RB to go.
Third-and-long, Pats in zone and no one is open.
Lions tried to get back to their run game on the next possession and had a bit of success against the Pats, who were in their nickel defense. They had runs of 6, 5, 4, then 0 yards.
Then comes one of the most frustrating kinds of plays – a broken play third-down conversion as Stafford slips out of the pocket and Zack Moore misses an open field tackle on him. I wanted to dive at Moore’s knees after that one.
Moore dropped into coverage and the pressure should’ve gotten there, but Moore dropping off killed the edge of the front, allowing Stafford to scramble. Really not sure how Moore misses the tackle, it’s exactly what he’s supposed to do and as straight-on as the come.
Tate picked up 42 yards on the next play as Stafford found him in a hole in the Pats’ zone defense. Collins probably should’ve picked up Tate, but didn’t see him until it was too late. Not out of the question to expect Collins to turn and pick this had he seen Tate earlier.
Impressive goalline stand on the next set of downs, that was made more difficult after a PI call on Chung in the end zone. Lions tried a run left, a fade to Calvin (Revis in coverage), then a fade to Fauria (Chung in coverage). Good tight coverage on both fades, not an easy play to defend especially against big guys like that.
Chung and Hightower are in on pretty much every single running play.
Casillas showed up with good read-and-tackle after Stafford had to take the checkdown to the runningback. Over the top Revis and Browner did a good job playing the Calvin/Tate stack with McCourty over top.
3rd-and-11 and the Pats were in Cover 2 Man. Ninkovich gets the sack as Jones and Higtower crash down on the right side of the line, allowing Nink to loop around and get a clean sack. Too bad Jamie Collins “held”. Drive continues…
Tate picked up 13 yards on a reverse as Hightower lost contain and Chung lost his contain with a couple false steps inside.
A quick bit on tactics – Collins and Hightower are both really good on the line of scrimmage, something the Pats lost the ability to do full time when Mayo went down. However now they’re doing a good job of moving the around and using them in all manners of ways. Both are on the LOS sometimes, both will blitz sometimes. Part of what is making the Pats defense so good is having these two versatile LBs who can do it all.
Good job getting off the field on third-and-3, one of my plays that defined the game. Just perfectly played by Revis who backed up off the line and avoided the stacked receivers trying to rub him off.
Nice gain of 18 on a screen pass to Riddick on the final drive of the first half. Hightower read it well, but Ayers did not as Riddick ran right past him on the way to get the pass. If he reads that right the play is dead.
Stafford just keeps looking more and more unsure on his deep throws as this game goes along, throwing it up off his back foot consistently. The in-time comebacks are about the only thing working for him that he looks comfortable throwing.
It does seem like they were just going after Arrington on every play here on this drive.
The missed field goal, then the Pats turning around and putting up a field goal of their own pretty much sums up what kind of game this was.
Second Half
Quick change to start the third quarter, just like the Broncos game and the Pats defense responds.
Raiola once again getting into it, now with Chris Jones.
Revis with another beauty pass defense, making it look like it ain’t no thang on what would’ve been a long 50+ bomb to Ebron.
Third-and-11 for another one of my plays that defined the game. Stafford throws a strike, but the gang tackling Pats hold him short of the first down. Just love how this defense is swarming the ball with such energy. Fun to watch.
Looks like the Lions were starting to pack it in at this point, with a three-and-out featuring three incompletions. First one hits Tate in the chest, second one the Lions WRs get caught up with themselves on the rub combo as Browner puts Calvin directly into Tate, and on the last one Chung comes in clean on a blitz forcing a bad throw by Stafford.
Next possession opens with a great play action that Ebron flat out drops.
Ugh, third down QB scramble for a first. I hate when that happens so, so much. Great coverage though.
Subtle play by Revis showing his genius as he’s in the slot faking like he’s playing man but really in zone. Sees Stafford wants Fauria on the post and drops perfectly into position to take it away.
Pats have really improved their coverage against stacked releases from earlier in the year. Forcing perfect throw-and-catches to beat them.
I like Sealver Siliga, but it’s looking like Alan Branch is just the better player given his height. Siliga still has long-term potential, but for this year I think he might be taking a back seat.
I also don’t really care about all these penalties the Pats have been racking up, because they’re playing on the edge and that will be more beneficial than the calls that might hurt them.
Pats’ great coverage continued to close out the game. It’s amazing to see how many times Stafford had to reload/reset after his preferred target was covered. That kind of coverage works magic for the pass rush.
If Chandler Jones comes back, ideally at least for the season finale, it could really put the defense over the top. They’re playing great.