Tuesday afternoon means All 22 review! You really haven’t watched the game until you’ve seen the whole field. I continue to be amazed by the thing I missed and what I pick up watching it. Here comes this weeks defense edition:
Dropping Easley out of rush and into coverage. Reward for his interception?
Seems like they’re getting a little more comfortable using Chung in Cover 2. Smart, can’t be in Cover 1 every time he’s on the field.
Really hope Siliga isn’t out for long, he and Wilfork are a tough combination inside to move. It’s really what makes the Pats run defense go. There’s been plenty of 34/43 talk as there is every year, but the overriding early down philosophy is have two space eaters inside with five athletic players around them who can make plays.
On Oakland’s 3rd-and-7 conversation on their second possession I’d tally it up to great execution over Logan Ryan not having good coverage. Ryan is physical at the line but Carr gets the ball out on time and the receiver makes a great catch. Maybe Ryan could’ve been a little more physical, but he had the right idea.
Nate Ebner came on in the Pats’ dime defense and drew man coverage on tight end Rivera in the first quarter. Chandler Jones knocked down the pass intended for Rivera, but Ebner was right there and would’ve made the tackle.
Tavon Wilson with a good read and tackle early in the second quarter. Though I’m a bit surprised he isn’t at the Money dime LB spot over Ebner, it’s good they’re getting him involved. He’s a physical player and could be needed if Chung gets hurt.
When Duron Harmon comes on it seems like they like him as the deep safety with McCourty playing up a bit more.
Another nice play by Ebner on another third down. Covering the running back as he comes out of the backfield, Ebner plants and makes a strong downhill tackle to force the punt. Seeing what they must see in him, though I’m curious if he stays in this role once Collins is fully healthy.
Chandler Jones gives the olay to the tight end trying to block him and makes a tackle in the backfield. What a start to the season by Jones.
I’m not sure Chris Jones can anchor vs. double teams like they’d need him to as a space eater inside. Again, hope Siliga isn’t out long. Jones probably a better fit against passing teams where he can one-gap.
Dont’a Hightower has had a great start to the season as well, but perhaps one of the bigger reasons why is Mayo’s return and his presence in coverage. It’s really freed Hightower up to do a bunch of different things.
Holy Hoodie, Joe Vellano just made a play against the Wildcat in the early third quarter – held his ground, got off the block and made the tackle. Maybe not all is lost with him just yet.
Revis may have given up a catch in the early third quarter on a quick out, but man is he strong. He just held on with one hand and didn’t let go.
Can’t say it enough – Vince Wilfork is a beast. He’s still quick off the ball and driving linemen into the backfield. So so impressive.
Third quarter, Logan Ryan comes on a corner blitz. Don’t see those too often from NE’s defense so it’s worth noting. Pass fell incomplete as the wide receiver didn’t recognize he needed to break off his route.
Three safety look with Harmon/Chung/McCourty in the late third, first time I think we’ve seen that today I think. Nice coverage by Chung on the fullback on a 9 route. Might be a gameplan thing as Oakland started targeting Reece more and more.
Another three safety look on third-and-long, with Ebner playing an underneath zone and Harmon deep. Ebner with the tackle. He does close hard.
Not a great rush from Easley on this play either, he was one on one with the center. He needs to win that matchup and I think he will as the season progresses.
Collins clearly not 100 percent at the start of the fourth quarter. Looking stiff as he read a screen but couldn’t break through the blockers to stop it. He comes off next snap.
Another solid play by Vellano on 3rd-and-1 holding his ground. Surprised that he played a lot better than I noticed during the game, albeit in limited duty.
Logan Ryan might’ve been picked on in this game, but I will say this, he’s right there on every completion he gives up and the tackles come immediately. Far cry from what we’ve seen in recent years from Pats DBs.
McFadden picks up 10 yards on the Raiders’ final drive as Chris Jones gets pummeled out of the way. These are the kind of plays that Jones isn’t the best to defend. Wilfork comes in for him next play, while Vellano gets in on the tackle. If Siliga is out Wilfork/Vellano double nose might be the way to go.
Wilfork seals it with the interception. What a game for him!