Hard to read too much into this week’s defensive stuff too much with a blowout on for most of the game, but some interesting individual performances from guys like Brandon Browner, Dominique Easley and Darrelle Revis.
Here are my All 22 thoughts…
Deontae Skinner wasn’t even close to tackling Matt Forte on the second play of the game as he met him 1-v-1 in the hole. This play alone might’ve been what precipitated Tuesday’s trade for Jonathan Casillias.
If you’d told me Easley would be playing stand-up defensive end this year I would’ve thought you were crazy, but he was solid drawing a holding penalty after losing contain for a split second.
Early on this was as close to the double nose as you can get with Wilfork and Chris Jones in the middle. Easley’s ability to slide out to defensive end was unexpected and he made another great play, blowing up a screen to get off the field on third down.
Don’t know what it is with Ninkovich losing contain so much the last couple games, but it showed up again as Cutler scrambled for a first down on the second possession.
Loved Browner with the pass breakup against Bennett on third down. That play summed up everything the Pats need from Browner. Press across the board, nowhere for Cutler to go.
Kind of funny that Darrelle Revis’ finger-wagging pass breakup on Brandon Marshall came out of zone coverage. Looks like some additional zone out of three-safety looks for the Pats early in this one. Haven’t seen a lot of that until now, mostly cover 1 or cover 4.
Interesting front here with Chung in a linebacker role and Hightower slipping out to the edge. I like getting Hightower some time on the LOS, he really excels there and can be used for some pass rush.
On Matt Forte’s touchdown reception Collins had no chance. But there was no pressure either and that allowed the easy throw from Cutler.
Again, seeing more Cover-2, perhaps a function of being up 17-0.
Akeem Ayers might’ve gotten the sack, but it was Jamie Collins who threw Forte aside and caused all the problems for Cutler. Collins gets a lot of flack for being out of place as an inside linebacker against the run, but there has been some improvement from him there over the last few weeks. But he deserves credit for plays like this and they need to use him more for this kind of advantage, turning the tables and making running backs take him on.
On Ninkovich’s sack six it was an interesting front of Moore and Easley inside, Ninkovich and Ayers on the edges with Hightower coming on a blitz and making the initial pressure happen.
2nd Half
With a big lead the Pats went did went to 2 and 3 deep zones in the second half. The Bears had some success running against them on the first drive, but I don’t think the Pats really care too much at that point.
Big benefit of a blowout – getting Wilfork some rest and getting the new guys more experience.
Nice inside game from Wilfork and Ninkovich to set up Easley’s sack, as Nink went inside and Wilfork looped outside. Seems like they’ve been trying this and that’s where Ninkovich has been losing contain, because Wilfork doesn’t replace him on the edge. Not sure who to fault there, perhaps it’s a passing down only move.
Not surprising but Easley needs to work on his jams off the line of scrimmage – it’s definitely something he never did in college. But he whiffed on Martellus Bennett as Bennett picked up 34 yards. He was wide open.
Bennett’s touchdown catch a few plays later was impressive with Browner all over him (getting a penalty for it too). While Browner won’t follow a tight end inside, he certainly is a good weapon against big ones when they split out – if he doesn’t hold them of course.
Definitely seems like Logan Ryan has a target on his back when he’s out there. We haven’t seen the same ball skills and zone savvy we saw last year yet.
So hard to really analyze the defense in a blowout like this. They’re just playing soft zone now and keeping everything in front of them. Even the yards on the ground they give up don’t seem to bother them.
After a hot start I think Casey Walker has leveled off a bit. Not making many plays, struggling to get off blocks or split double teams. Getting Siliga back for Detroit (hopefully) will help.
Some more man coverage coming here in the fourth quarter, keeping Cutler on his toes. They had more success going to Bennett than I would like. That worries me a bit with Julius Thomas coming to town.
