An Independent Patriots Blog
Mike Zimmer’s defense carries Cincinnati Bengals; 32 questions – NFL.com
Zimmer did his part by coming up with a plan that put his players in position to succeed. Convinced that the Patriots were intent on running the ball, he flooded the middle with constant pressure, ultimately turning New England one-dimensional. “I changed up the pressures,” Zimmer explained after the triumph. “I think they wanted to run. The first two times they ran play-action, we sacked him. That made it tough for them.”
On a day in which the defense kept the Patriots in the game, one play the unit would obviously like to have back was the third-and-15 situation that came after the Kelly-Mayo half-sack, as the Bengals were at their 2-yard line. The Patriots, in their sub defense, didn’t appear settled at the snap and in retrospect, one wonders if they would have benefitted from calling a timeout (they would later need those timeouts, of course). The result of the play was a 28-yard reception by receiver Marvin Jones down the left sideline. Cornerback Kyle Arrington trailed Jones in coverage and safety Devin McCourty might have been a little late getting over to the sideline, although he probably couldn’t have done much anyway.
Arguably the turning point play of the game.
Picked-up pieces from 2nd-half review – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
https://www.patspropaganda.com/on-a-day-in-which-the-defense-kept-the-patriots-in/
