defense

The Patriots turned in another stellar defensive effort against the Lions, not allowing a touchdown for the second time this season. 

The coverage in the secondary is the thing sparking this new and improved Patriots defense, but the front seven are no slouches either, as they’ve been downright dominant in the running game.

They’ll face a great test this weekend in Green Bay, but until then, here are my All-22 thoughts on the defense’s performance against Detroit.

The Lions’ first drive might’ve been their best of the game and it started with a 24-yard WR screen to Golden Tate. Kyle Arrington’s overpursuit is what sprung it, but impressive speed by Dont’a Hightower to run down Tate.

Tate had another nice gain off a rub play that opened just enough space for a perfect pass. They were hitting these early, but not later.

The Patriots base, or “regular” 4-3 defense appeared on this drive, with Patrick Chung coming into the box as is often the case in almost a linebacker role. Casillas and Collins play OLB, but are at the end of the line with Hightower in the middle. We first saw this look in 2009, with six guys along the LOS and one linebacker and safety ready to make the play.

The Pats’ run defense has been among the best in the NFL the last three games, and the reason why is apparent from this regular defense play – no ground given, all taking on blocks with Hightower making the play. Just like you draw it up…

 

With Easley out, Chris Jones was the sub-rusher on the interior. Alan Branch had more snaps this week, but it could’ve been somewhat a trickle-down effect of Easley being out and Jones having to take his role over.

Pats double Calvin Johnson with Browner/McCourty on the final third down of the Lions’ first drive, with Revis defending the pass to Golden Tate underneath. Hightower took the RB, while Collins dropped to a short middle zone. Ninkovich/Jones/Ayers pressure was okay.

Impressive back-to-back plays by Browner on the second possession, first causing enough disruption on Calvin to force an incompletion and then coming down and supporting the edge against the run. The Pats DBs have really been great in run support lately.

On Ayers’ third-down sack, Stafford was looking to Tate coming out of a double stacked combination, but Revis got enough of a jam to force Stafford to hesitate. And Stafford probably could’ve made the throw, that kind of indecision crept into his game this day. Ayers had a nice outside-inside move and got under the left tackle to record the sack. Team defense.

Ninkovich recorded a sack on the first play of the next possession, off a great stunt with Alan Branch, who just plowed the guard into the backfield and the running back didn’t touch Ninkovich as he cut in behind. It looked like the Lions were trying to hit Tate on a double-move as Stafford pumps and goes to reload but it’s already too late. And Revis didn’t bite on the double move anyway.

Caught Wilfork talking to Raiola a bit after that sack too, planting the early seeds that would later grow into a cheap shot attempt at the end of the game.

This is a bit blurry but look at how the Pats are taking on blocks and holding their ground against the run and then getting off those blocks to make the tackle. There’s just nowhere for the RB to go.

Third-and-long, Pats in zone and no one is open. 

Lions tried to get back to their run game on the next possession and had a bit of success against the Pats, who were in their nickel defense. They had runs of 6, 5, 4, then 0 yards. 

Then comes one of the most frustrating kinds of plays –  a broken play third-down conversion as Stafford slips out of the pocket and Zack Moore misses an open field tackle on him. I wanted to dive at Moore’s knees after that one.

Moore dropped into coverage and the pressure should’ve gotten there, but Moore dropping off killed the edge of the front, allowing Stafford to scramble. Really not sure how Moore misses the tackle, it’s exactly what he’s supposed to do and as straight-on as the come.

Tate picked up 42 yards on the next play as Stafford found him in a hole in the Pats’ zone defense. Collins probably should’ve picked up Tate, but didn’t see him until it was too late. Not out of the question to expect Collins to turn and pick this had he seen Tate earlier.

Impressive goalline stand on the next set of downs, that was made more difficult after a PI call on Chung in the end zone. Lions tried a run left, a fade to Calvin (Revis in coverage), then a fade to Fauria (Chung in coverage). Good tight coverage on both fades, not an easy play to defend especially against big guys like that.

Chung and Hightower are in on pretty much every single running play.

Casillas showed up with good read-and-tackle after Stafford had to take the checkdown to the runningback. Over the top Revis and Browner did a good job playing the Calvin/Tate stack with McCourty over top.

3rd-and-11 and the Pats were in Cover 2 Man. Ninkovich gets the sack as Jones and Higtower crash down on the right side of the line, allowing Nink to loop around and get a clean sack. Too bad Jamie Collins “held”. Drive continues…

Tate picked up 13 yards on a reverse as Hightower lost contain and Chung lost his contain with a couple false steps inside.

A quick bit on tactics – Collins and Hightower are both really good on the line of scrimmage, something the Pats lost the ability to do full time when Mayo went down. However now they’re doing a good job of moving the around and using them in all manners of ways. Both are on the LOS sometimes, both will blitz sometimes. Part of what is making the Pats defense so good is having these two versatile LBs who can do it all.

Good job getting off the field on third-and-3, one of my plays that defined the game. Just perfectly played by Revis who backed up off the line and avoided the stacked receivers trying to rub him off.

Nice gain of 18 on a screen pass to Riddick on the final drive of the first half. Hightower read it well, but Ayers did not as Riddick ran right past him on the way to get the pass. If he reads that right the play is dead.

Stafford just keeps looking more and more unsure on his deep throws as this game goes along, throwing it up off his back foot consistently. The in-time comebacks are about the only thing working for him that he looks comfortable throwing.

It does seem like they were just going after Arrington on every play here on this drive.

The missed field goal, then the Pats turning around and putting up a field goal of their own pretty much sums up what kind of game this was.

Second Half

Quick change to start the third quarter, just like the Broncos game and the Pats defense responds.

Raiola once again getting into it, now with Chris Jones.

Revis with another beauty pass defense, making it look like it ain’t no thang on what would’ve been a long 50+ bomb to Ebron.

Third-and-11 for another one of my plays that defined the game. Stafford throws a strike, but the gang tackling Pats hold him short of the first down. Just love how this defense is swarming the ball with such energy. Fun to watch.

Looks like the Lions were starting to pack it in at this point, with a three-and-out featuring three incompletions. First one hits Tate in the chest, second one the Lions WRs get caught up with themselves on the rub combo as Browner puts Calvin directly into Tate, and on the last one Chung comes in clean on a blitz forcing a bad throw by Stafford.

Next possession opens with a great play action that Ebron flat out drops.

Ugh, third down QB scramble for a first. I hate when that happens so, so much. Great coverage though.

Subtle play by Revis showing his genius as he’s in the slot faking like he’s playing man but really in zone. Sees Stafford wants Fauria on the post and drops perfectly into position to take it away.

Pats have really improved their coverage against stacked releases from earlier in the year. Forcing perfect throw-and-catches to beat them.

I like Sealver Siliga, but it’s looking like Alan Branch is just the better player given his height. Siliga still has long-term potential, but for this year I think he might be taking a back seat.

I also don’t really care about all these penalties the Pats have been racking up, because they’re playing on the edge and that will be more beneficial than the calls that might hurt them. 

Pats’ great coverage continued to close out the game. It’s amazing to see how many times Stafford had to reload/reset after his preferred target was covered. That kind of coverage works magic for the pass rush.

If Chandler Jones comes back, ideally at least for the season finale, it could really put the defense over the top. They’re playing great.

This was as bad of a defensive performance as I’ve seen since, well, the Chiefs game, but the Pats get a bit of a pass given the short week and injuries they were coming off of.

Still, most of the defense lacked the necessary “pop” to their game, and save a three-drive stretch where they forced punts in the second half, the Jets offense basically had their way with them.

Still, they made the very last play of the game and that was enough to get an ugly win. The defense is much better than this and we’ll certainly see them look a lot better against the Bears this weekend.

Here are the All-22 Defense thoughts…

Pats mixed their coverage and personnel on the first drive, none of which was especially effective. Ninkovich immediately displayed the recurring problem of the night, crashing down and losing contain.

They matched receivers at times. Browner was playing outside cornerbacks as I expected. I really don’t think we’ll see him inside on tight ends or at safety. 

All four safeties saw snaps on the first drive. McCourty gave up a third down conversion after being in press man on Cumberland. Interesting that NE uses him not only on the back end but in this role as well.

Jamie Collins isn’t great in base against the run, but when he’s in subpackages and has room to use his speed he’s very good. He’s learned to take a beat to find where he needs to go rather than immediately reacting and getting himself out of position. He should be a good weapon against Matt Forte this week.

Not as impressed with Casey Walker early on as I have been in weeks past. He’s not getting off blocks. In fact, the entire DL is having trouble with that.

Sometimes it seems like Collins thinks he’s even more athletically capable than he is. Here’s a prime example where he needs to come downhill hard to Wilfork’s right. Chung has the backside. Collins isn’t fast enough to make this play headed where he’s headed.

Chandler Jones is so slippery inside, it’s notable given his length. The Pats showed some looks on passing downs with him inside, they even shifted Easley to DE at one third-and-long.  Might need more of that.

There really is nothing worse than watching a quarterback scramble for a first down on third-and-long.

The shift to a 3-4 front seemed tied to their inability to stop the run. It’s a Wilfork-Walker-Jones front three. This included Chung in the box for an 8-man front.

Great screen recognition in the second quarter, along with a pressure from Easley that came quicker than the Jets were hoping it would. Small steps for Easley so far, still waiting for that first big play from him. Should be coming soon.

9 in the box and they still give up 5 yards on this run.

Now here’s a hole. This went for 9, not sure where Casey Walker was going as he started at the left hash and basically took the whole defense to his right side out of the play. Collins is late to react but gets in the way to make the tackle.

After sustained drives all half, along with so many games in a short time span, the defense looks gassed at the end of the first half. But they came through in the red zone once again.

Ninkovich picked up right where he left off by getting pinned inside and losing contain on two of the first three plays in the third quarter, picking up a total of 29 yards. 

We first saw the three cornerback, one safety package last year and it’s popping up again this year.  It often comes with press man across the board, but leaves a seven man box for run protection. It’s a mix of sub and base.

Twice the Jets converted third downs on their first drive of the third quarter with Kerley and Decker aligned closely together. First time they crossed and Decker got separation on Dennard. The second time Revis played outside leverage on Decker but the receivers crossed later again opening up enough separation for Decker to convert at 3rd-and-12. Nice play design by the Jets.

Jamie Collins is pretty solid at getting out on running back swing passes.

Just a dominant first drive of the third quarter by the Jets featuring a balanced attack. Had been hoping the Pats would bring some fire out of the locker room but it would have to wait until the next three drives.

Pats switched it up a bit on the next drive, going to a 4-3, then a 5-2 front. Coverage was good and helped force a four-play drive. Credit Dont’a Hightower with a good tackle that prevented the running back from converting a checkdown on 3rd-and-12.

They force a three-and-out on the next possession, bringing six on third-and-long with Chandler Jones finishing it off. Really, I don’t think the interior run stoppers looked that bad for most of the game. Once Ninkovich stopped losing contain there wasn’t anywhere for them to go.

Another solid stand, their third in a row, on the next drive. Again, more coverage than pressure on third down. Browner is what he is, a big outside corner who’s going to take some penalties this year. When he’s on the outside and has the sideline he’s effective, when he has to pursue across the field, he’s not as good. But his makeup speed is better than I thought it was.

Here’s Chandler Jones owning Ferguson on the edge, stopping Vick for a loss. Too bad there’s a penalty on Logan Ryan.

Probably the most frustrating play of the day comes on 3rd-and-2 as Geno Smith converts running it after being totally flushed out of the pocket and surrounded by Pats. How does he get out of this…?

Pressure was a big problem after reviewing this one, and here’s a great example below. Five man rush with four guys on single blockers and no one wins.

Yards-after-contact piling up here in the fourth quarter, especially inside. Defense is gassed top-to-bottom now.

Smith finds Cumberland for the touchdown to cap off another impressive drive. It was Chung in coverage, just a couple inches off. This is why Chung gets pulled off in coverage situations. Not his bag. Never has been. Never will be. Credit to Geno for finding that matchup.

They went back at him on the failed 2-point conversion but I liked how Chung stuck with Decker. Often those passes are wide open, but Chung did enough to force a perfect throw that Geno did not make.

Final drive to set up the missed field goal start with checkdowns from Geno. Good drive starters that the Pats seemed okay to allow.

Geno makes back to back throws to get them to the Pats 45 when the play essentially broke down but the pass rush just couldn’t finish him off. That’s what happens when you only send three guys. Pats then send five guys to remedy that and Geno finds the checkdown for another five yards.

Pats just couldn’t make that one final play to finish the game on this drive. Something we’ve seen plenty of in recent years in close losses. Luckily Chris Jones found that last bit of gas to preserve the win.