How an evolving Patriots defense closed the door on Steelers
The Patriots defense turned in another strong effort in Sunday’s win over the Steelers, allowing just 14 total points and shutting out Pittsburgh on their final two drives, giving New England’s offense the opportunity to close out the win, which they did.
Through two games, the Pats defense has shown they’ve evolved since a lackluster finish to 2021. Not only have they added speed at the second level, but they’re getting rejuvenated and even surprising performances from some of their long-time veterans. Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo have done an excellent job rejiggering the attack and should continue to do so. With a number of new options to play with, we’re only scratching the surface of the defense’s potential.
What’s changed? Well, let’s start with Deatrich Wise. It might have surprised some when Wise signed a four-year deal last offseason, but now that deal looks like a smart one, as Wise’s play has elevated to a new level while he’s also earned the respect of his teammates with his first captaincy. The vet played 90 percent of the snaps against Pittsburgh, easily a team high as far as front seven defenders go, and was again a near-constant thorn in Pittsburgh’s side.
The defensive line has carried over their stout play from the summer, as they continue to consistently win the line of scrimmage with notable performances from Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore.
Mack Wilson is a new face whose play time dramatically increased this week, going from 35 percent of the defensive snaps to 64 percent, and he delivered with an athletic pass deflection that fell into the waiting arms of Jalen Mills for a key interception. Many were clamoring for improved speed at the second level and the Patriots have shown serious dedication to making it happen, often using Wilson with a member of their deep safety group as what were traditionally off-the-ball linebackers.
A corresponding move has been to experiment with both Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai on the edges to maintain a physical presence there, though both remain inside options on run downs. Tavai recorded a sack in the game, tossing Najee Harris’ attempted block aside and taking Mitch Trubisky down.
On the back end, the Patriots have continued to lean into zone coverage on early downs but haven’t been afraid to spin the dial with man coverage, especially on third downs. Rookie Jack Jones (22 snaps) continues to get his feet wet behind starters Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills, he’s shown good quickness and awareness in limited work. The pass defense allowed just one play beyond 20 yards in the contest, as their early attention to not allowing big plays has been stellar. Last week against the Dolphins they allowed just three such plays, while Miami went on to burn Baltimore for six 20-plus gains this past weekend, including touchdowns of 60 and 40 yards.
Add it all up and the Patriots defense is getting a wide array of contributions from a full range of players young and old. It wasn’t all perfect, as the team’s struggles to get off the field on third down allowed two lengthy possessions in the first half.
The start to the second half was also a bit shaky, with the defense allowing a field goal and a touchdown on the first two possessions to make it a three-point game heading into the fourth quarter.
Coming off a missed field goal that gave the Steelers their best starting field position of the day, the Patriots were able to get a stop after allowing two first downs which held Pittsburgh to a field goal. The second possession, coming right at the end of the third quarter, was the Steelers’ best of the day — a nine-play, 75-yard drive, with only one third down, the one on which they scored their only touchdown of the game.
“We got some, they got some,” said Bill Belichick on Monday morning of the third down situations. “But the short yardage always skewed with the third down conversions, not always but usually, because those are close to 85 percent conversions league wide, or whatever it is, it’s a pretty high number. So a lot of third downs relate to second down and first down. So doing a better job there will help you on third down. But obviously we have to convert on third-and-10 and third-and-17. We just have to do a better job there all the way around.”
But those two drives were anomalies when it came to the end of the game, with the defense forcing two three-and-outs in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Those two series are broken down below.
