PatsPropaganda

Good stuff on the multiple Patriots front…

The Patriots aren’t often aligned in a 3-4 front, but the principle of two-gap control hasn’t been tossed away from their defensive playbook as a result of it. On the Dolphins’ first offensive play of the game, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork engaged his blocker, rode him laterally down the line, staying square and maintaining leverage on the block before finally disengaging and wrapping up running back Reggie Bush for virtually no gain. The form was, unsurprisingly, textbook from Wilfork, and a reminder of the way the Patriots have long worked to defend the run – with discipline, technique-based defense. They aren’t a gap-shooting team, although they have incorporated more linebacker stunts against the run, which Brandon Spikes ran on the first play. The run defense starts with Wilfork, and he almost always makes it count.

• Passing defense Final rank: 29th (271.4 yards per game) 
• Third-down defense Final rank: Tied 25th (82 of 205, 40.0 percent) 
• Turnover differential Final rank: 1st (Plus-25 – 41 takeaways, 16 giveaways) 
• Red-zone defense (based on TD percentage) Final rank: 13th (24 of 46, 52.2 percent)