ProFootballFocus.com’s grades are out and here’s what stood out to us.
Best Offensive Grade: Ryan Wendell (3.3)
Worst Offensive Grade: Nate Solder (-2.7) and an especially horrid -4.9 in pass protection.
Best Defensive Grade: Devin McCourty (2.1)
Worst Defensive Grade: Kyle Love/Jermaine Cunningham (-2.1)
First things first, I think fans need to lay off of McCourty a bit. He’s not without his flaws, but he’s closest thing to a real professional defensive back that we have. He remains a building block as I see it, and would benefit immensely from a safety that he trusted over the top of him. He was targeted 3 times covering Baldwin and didn’t give up a catch to him.
Vince Wilfork was graded in the red for the 4th time in the last 5 games with a -2.0, including a -1.9 in run defense. We always take this ratings with a grain of salt, but by PFF’s measurements Wilfork is having a bad season.
Jermaine Cunningham played his most extensive snaps since 2010 but was still tied for worst graded defender. Myron Pryor could potentially compete for his role as a sub package interior rusher if he comes back this week. Cunningham does not seem to be excelling there and I’m starting to be unsure if he’s got a long term future in New England.
Kyle Arrington had a -1.2 in pass coverage, an area he’s graded negatively in every game. He’s finally been playing a role we thought he’d excel in (nickel slot) but his struggles continue. I also don’t think he’s got much more of a future with the Pats past this season unless it’s as a dime back.
Average outing for Brandon Spikes, really good in run defense/pass rush (1.4/1.2), bad in coverage (team worst -1.6).
Tavon Wilson got a 0.0 score in pass coverage. Not sure how that happens. The 46-yard game winning TD was the only credited catch on him.
Kyle Love has scored progressively worse and worse every game this season, except one minor spike up to 0.0 last week before falling to the team-worst -2.1 this week. Need more of an impact out of him.
Woodhead had a solid day and has stacked two solid back to back green scores for the first time in his Patriots career.
Mankins struggled in run blocking (-1.9), but was solid in pass coverage (1.4).
Brady was 3-for-3 for 101 yards and a TD throwing to the deep left. Rare.
Awful game for Ridley who was in the red in both the running game (-1.3) and passing game (-1.5).
Dan Connolly had an average score, but has been slowly improving in each game this season. Hopefully that trend continues and he’ll be in the green this week.