Simply put, this was a game won by the Patriots defensive line in the trenches. Buffalo clearly wanted to attack the Pats’ run defense but they couldn’t get by Vince Wilfork, Casey Walker, Chris Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones.
Just a very solid defensive showing up front from the Pats where everyone did their job and there weren’t many missed tackles or blown assignments.
Here are things that stood out on the All-22 film review, defense edition.
Chandler Jones showed strong edge awareness early in this one. This is something he wasn’t doing consistently , especially against the Chiefs.
As much as I wanted to see Deontae Skinner pop on the film, he’s still very much a rookie, reacting a moment later to everything than Mayo. He’s not ready to get thrown into the fire with Mayo gone. Last year with Vellano and Chris Jones was one thing, but a linebacker who is involved in so much of the run and pass game is another.
So tough watching Mayo ball out early in this one. He flew into the backfield and blew up this run:
Just very solid team defense all around in the first quarter. Even when tackles were broken the next guy was there to fill, especially the corners and safeties. This is Patriots football. Everyone doing their job. Bills got a couple passes on them, but those were pinpoint throws that are almost impossible to stop.
There were quite a few defenders who couldn’t cover Scott Chandler, and it was Skinner’s turn on the last play of the first quarter. You can see how much Skinner is thinking out there and it’s slowing him down. Looks like his pursuit speed is actually pretty decent.
Here’s Collins’ interception, this is not a pass you want to throw.
Can’t say how much I like Dennard enough. He allows a completion on third-and-three and still instantly makes the tackle short of the first down. Solid, aggressive corner play.
Gronk getting a lot of love for being “back”, but Wilfork is “back” too. Great game from him, just so strong at the point of attack and able to quickly get off blocks inside.
When big running back Bobbie Dixon came in, the Pats were responding with more of a 3-4 front. This makes sense, this is their best run-stopping package. With Casey Walker playing well at nose they’re able to use more 3-4 fronts again.
Even when Dixon gets the edge here, Revis comes up off his block and makes the tackle. Team defense.
Now it’s Patrick Chung’s turn to give up a completion to Chandler, but not really his fault, Revis is in man on Watkins and just picks him. Still, not a great matchup having Chung on a big tight end.
Big whiff by Dennard on Woods’ first touchdown, just couldn’t get a hand on the receiver to disrupt the timing. Nice fake by Woods.
On Spiller’s long run before he fumbled it at the end of the first half it was a good example of Jamie Collins doesn’t have the physicality to be a great run-stopping linebacker. He gets totally blocked by an offensive tackle and can’t disengage. This could be a focal problem going forward without Mayo.
Vince Wilfork singlehandedly just blew up a run and made the tackle. Impressive game from him continues into the third quarter.
Casey Walker splits the double team and makes the tackle. When Siliga gets back the Pats are going to have some options up front. This is good long-term Wilfork insurance as well developing three solid interior DL.
Scott Chandler is about to make this catch with one hand but it’s actually okay position by Tavon Wilson, he just doesn’t look for the ball or get a hand up in time. Did I mention I wanted the Pats to sign Chandler this offseason?
Revis bailed to off-man coverage on the long reception he gave up to Watkins, not sure why the adjustment came but it allowed a free release and Watkins shook Revis near the goalline.
It’s clear how badly the Bills wanted to run on the Patriots but the Patriots defensive line did not allow that to happen. Really it covered up Skinner and Collins’ weaknesses in that area of the game, because just about every play that hit the second level would hit the third level as well. But not many got past the first level.
I really want to find something on Skinner to give us some hope but even his sack was more of a coverage sack. He hesitates again (rookie thing) but that paid off because it opened a lane to Orton. At least he had the speed to go and finish it. I guess that’s a silver lining.
Not sure how Chandler Jones ended up in coverage on Chandler on his catch in the third quarter, but it wasn’t even close once Chandler had to turn and run to cover Chandler. Lot of Chandler going on in that play.
Workman-like effort from Ninkovich as usual as he picks up his third sack of the game. Not flashy, but does his job and if the rest of the defense follows his lead, they’re pretty solid.
In the fourth quarter the Pats put Chandler Jones to press Scott Chandler and Tavon Wilson to cover him. Makes sense finally.
Not a great fourth quarter for Dennard, a missed tackle, then he gets lost in the wash covering on 4th down and gives up a big gainer.
Arrington too had a rough one, giving up the next two completions after Dennard’s long one. Still, tight plays and he’s right there. Sometimes that happens.