Three Plays That Defined Patriots Defense vs. Chargers

After yesterday’s Garoppolo spookstravaganza on Patshow I’m moving back to some analysis of the players on the team who have actually played a down this season. I know the trade will continue to dominate the conversation for much of the next week and a half, but it’s time to refocus on the second half of the season.

The Patriots sit at 6-2, and while we can talk about their flaws, the reality is the sports betting odds are still very much in their favor to make a strong playoff run this post season.

I thought the defense did a solid job against the Chargers, although there were just a couple notable breakdowns with Melvin Gordon‘s 87-yard touchdown run leading the way. They continue to make strides and while they certainly have some weak links in certain situations, they’ve continually bounced back and made the key spots necessary to help the Patriots on their four-game win streak.

Here are three plays that defined the defensive effort against the Chargers.

87-Yard Touchdown Rush by Melvin Gordon

First, the good thing on this play was the penetration by Branch and Butler, the problems start when Cassius Marsh loses the edge though. Obviously that’s never a good thing and Marsh seemed a bit fooled by the tight end releasing into a pattern. He then wasn’t ready for the down block of the tackle who basically grabs him Marsh and throws him.

Elandon Roberts gets his feet taken out from under him, he must get around that block in space. Still, the secondary should be able to hold this to a 10-ish yard gain. Patrick Chung resets the edge, meaning Duron Harmon is the last man who can make the play. Instead of taking on his blocker and squaring up to take away the outside Harmon tries to spin back inside to get off the block and loses the edge. Result: Ingram is gone.

4th quarter, 3rd & 8, Patriots leading 18-13

This was a pivotal down with the game hanging in the balance. By forcing a punt, the Patriots defense gave the ball back to the offense for a chance to seal the game out which they basically did, although with a field goal instead of a touchdown.

The key here is pressure by Trey Flowers, who tips the pass, and Dietrich Wise. This was the kind of key play in crunch time that I wondered about before the season. These young players are starting to show up more frequently when the game is on the line, and these kind of plays are a great example.

3rd Quarter, 2nd & 11, Rivers Sack/Fumble

This was a play that got me excited because it was one of David Harris‘ first splash plays of the season. The Patriots send Harris and Roberts on a stunt up the middle, almost like Hightower and Collins used to do. Harris just overpowers the running back, blasting him backwards.

Rivers has no choice but to retreat from the pocket, but Roberts and Guy also have gotten good pushes are able pursue and force him into a fumble. The Chargers end up in 3rd & 31 when they were in scoring range in a close game. This was a key moment that forced another punt and maintained the Patriots slim lead.

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These are three good examples of the ups and downs of this defense. It’s largely a new defense up front so we should expect some of these growing pains. The inconsistent play of the experienced secondary is an unexpected and unwelcome problem. I didn’t show the Benjamin touchdown, but that looked like it was at least partially on McCourty who should’ve been over the top in what looked like a Cover 2 defense.

Still, if the secondary is our biggest concern at this point we’ll be okay. The front getting pressure is what matters most and these examples show the pass rush causing problems in big spots. That’s a really good sign.