As followers of this blog might imagine, the last two games have been a lot of fun for a defens-o-phile like myself. Even without Chandler Jones and Jerod Mayo, the Pats defense has been playing better than we’ve seen since the mid-2000s.
At the forefront of this has been Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, Brandon Browner, and Kyle Arrington on the back end, and the sound physical play up front led by Dont’a Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, Vince Wilfork and Jamie Collins.
The Pats did give up some long passing plays against the Colts, but that’s somewhat to be expected in Indy against Andrew Luck.
Here’s what else stuck out in the All-22 review of the defense.
Doesn’t get much better than a defer on the coin toss then forcing a three-and-out.
Amazing what good coverage does for the pass rush as Vince Wilfork got through on the first play of the game as Luck hesitated on his first read.
On the next play, the run defense was stout. Simply put, everyone is doing their job. Wilfork/Jones holding their ground while Hightower/Collins are filing their gaps and playing patient. Incredible how much better things look when the defense is fundamentally solid.
The Pats continued the trend of showing double A pressure with the linebackers on the first third down of the game, but dropped both of them out. Coverage was solid in Cover 1, forcing the checkdown to Bradshaw. Solid tackling by Hightower kept him short of the first down. Each week I like Hightower a little more. He and Collins are on fire right now against these pass-happy teams.
Chris Jones showed up on the first play of the second possession, a zone running play run to the left, away from Jones. He got a good jump and pushed the Colts offensive linemen into the backfield, which set up the tackle for Wilfork. Again, solid fundamental run defense. Ayers set the edge, Collins maintained his gap and Wilfork/Jones showed great lateral quickness to make the play.
On one of the few third downs the Pats gave up a conversion on, they were in their 4 CB/1 S personnel with Ninkovich out to jam the tight end before letting him go to Browner. MCCourty clearly had an eye on Hilton. Ryan headed out to cover Nicks but Revis waved him back to the slot on Wayne. Not sure what happened there, but Wayne beat Ryan for the first down.
Revis was absolved of the 46-yard pass to Reggie Wayne the next play, as it looked like he was expecting over-the-top coverage from McCourty, but McCourty broke to the other side on Hilton.
Again, great run defense inn the red zone on the next play with both Ayers and Chung maintaining the edge. Wilfork’s lateral agility was again on display as he and Jones plugged the initial hole.
Third-and-8 in the red zone and the Pats send five, with Collins getting solid pressure to force an inaccurate back-foot throw from Luck that falls incomplete. Really loving this up-the-gut pressure from the linebackers and it’s made a huge difference on third down.
On their third possession, starting at their own 6 yard line, the Colts went to a three tight end set that the Pats countered with a 4-3 base (50-97-75-94 DL, 91-54-52 LB). They stuck with it next play and Jamie Collins showed up with a solid job setting the edge. That shows some great improvement there by the second-year linebacker.
On third-and-5 the Pats sent pressure once again, this time with 6, but it was just a moment too late. Luck got off a throw to a spot, just where Fleener could get it.
On third-and-12 the Pats sent pressure once again with five, while Collins awaited Bradshaw to go out into a route. This time it was Easley and Ninkovich on the left side of the line that got just enough pressure to force a bad throw by Luck.
This kind of aggression on third down is somewhat rare for the Pats. Not sure if it’s because they trust their secondary more now, or think that Luck/Colts OL couldn’t handle it.
On the next possession, Easley showed up again drawing a holding penalty. Easley is starting to look more and more like the explosive tasmanian devil he was in college. He so violent and quick, he can be a huge handful for an offensive linemen.
WR screens again Browner and Revis are not advised.
This is the Dominique Easley I wanted the Pats to draft in the first round.
On the McCourty interception, it was Revis who was on display, sticking with Wayne like glue. Really vintage Revis.
Great pressure by Hightower on the next possession. He’s really finding a groove and it seems like the Pats are using him really well, both in coverage and blitzing.
On third-and-6 the Pats once again forced a checkdown out of Cover 2 and tackled soundly to force the punt. Fundamentals.
Another QB hit by Easley on the possession after Brady’s second interception, looping around from an edge rusher spot to force a bad throw.
Perfect throw and catch on the touchdown to Nicks, but Ryan got no jam and did nothing to disrupt the timing of the play. I have my concerns about Ryan being the weak link in the secondary, but compared to the bums we’ve had back there in the past, I’m okay with him.
Second Half
Colts got a nice pass to Wayne on their second play of their first possession, but it was remarkable how Hightower ran with him.
Moncrief beat Browner off the line pretty badly, but Luck overthrew him. Would’ve been a touchdown. Probably not Browner’s best game, but he’s not designed for the small and shifty guys.
On the next possession, Fleener beat Browner with a double move for a long gain, even with Browner getting a good jam. Recovery speed is not great on Browner, looks like he takes some false steps.
Pats were just so much more physical in the trenches, the Colts could get nothing on the ground.
On third-and-10, the Pats only sent four as Luck got off a great pass to Fleener, who made a toe-tapping catch in bounds. Again it was on Browner who lost Fleener.
Jamie Collins must’ve really been held back by his early season quad injury. He is so much more slippery now and has an easier time getting around blockers in the box.
The Colts put together their best drive at the end of the third quarter but they still had to earn every single yard in the red zone. That’s a good sign and it really took some time off the clock.
Pats really did a good job against stacked releases in this one, an area they struggled with earlier this year. Just seeing a lot of improvement across the board on defense. It’s exciting.
They shifted to more Cover 2 looks on third down once they had a bigger lead, also sending less blitzes. But Ninkovich’s quality rushes still generated some pressure.
Easley again showed impressive burst on the final Colts possession, blowing the center in the backfield and just missing a tackle for a loss. There was a lot to feel good about in this one, but Easley coming on might be the biggest development.
