Here are some general points we know about the 2014 Patriots defense at this point:
- Chung is the starting strong safety in Cover-1/Cover-3, but comes off for Duron Harmon when they want more of a Cover-2 look.
- They’ll mix coverages but are most adept at playing man.
- Wilfork/Chris Jones are the top two interior DTs, while Easley will rotate in there, but Easley is really their designated pass rusher, With Easley out last week, Chris Jones took that role.
- Ninkovich/Ayers/Moore are the edge players whether you call the DEs or OLBs. No matter the defense these are the guys charged with contain.
- Browner is used as a size matchup, whether in the slot or on the perimeter.
- Revis doesn’t simply matchup on the best WR, they’ll move him around, but generally he’ll be on the QB’s safety blanket.
- Collins and Hightower are used in a variety of ways and are responsible for most of the deception on the defense.
- Casillas comes in as a linebacker in “regular” (fka base).
Especially against the Broncos, the Pats did some disguising on the back end, faking Cover-2 then moving to Cover-1. But the most deception comes from Hightower and Collins, whether they’re showing blitz and bailing, or actually blitzing from any spot on the line. There’s no set play either as to whether Collins or Hightower will cover running backs, both have been pretty good at it.