It appeared that when the Patriots went with a single-high safety in their defense, more often than not it was Devin McCourty, not Steve Gregory. The strategy should not come as much of a surprise, as Gregory, when previously active, struggled at times to keep the play in front of him, and McCourty has done well to do exactly that since becoming a safety. The Patriots’ secondary again was the culprit of allowing 300-plus yards passing, but if there was a silver lining – perhaps there was not in the eyes of some – the team did not allow any big plays over the top. McCourty helps to build the umbrella on the defense.