The issues for the Pats pass defense came when their blitzes didn’t get home, or Smith bought just enough time for receivers to uncover. Above, New England rushes six with man coverage behind it (man-free). With only deep post-safety help, Hawkins is left 1-on-1 with Bowers in space, and the Raiders tight end wins easily on a slant for a 38-yard gain.
Defensively, allowing +0.38 EPA per drop-back (87th percentile) and nine explosives isn’t ideal. Still, you see the foundation for a defense that can pressure the QB (37.5% pressure rate) and play man coverage, especially once All-Pro CB Christian Gonzalez returns and elevates the play of the Patriots secondary. For better or worse, this is how the defense seems to play, with big plays going each way.
– The lack of pressure from four-man rushes was slightly disappointing. The Pats only generated a 20% pressure rate with four rushers, with all four of their sacks coming with five-plus rushers. That might be why Williams was aggressive with his blitz calls. The lack of 1-on-1 pass rush winners was showing up on their standard rushes.
– If the Patriots continue to dial up pressure, exposing the backend, the one small concern is with their linebackers and safeties in coverage. More specifically, covering dynamic pass-catching tight ends. New England had a few bracket calls up their sleeve for Bowers, but he also beat Hawkins in man-to-man on the 38-yarder and got loose a few times in zone (23-yard seam, 30-yard wheel). Bowers was also open for at least three more completions, but the pressure got home twice, and he had a drop. Overall, the coverage was a mixed bag for the Pats secondary across the board.
– EDGE Harold Landry picked up where he left off in Vrabel’s last season in Tennessee with a team-high eight pressures and a pair of run stuffs. Landry cleaned up on his first full sack, but his wrap rush on a T/E stunt for his second full sack was smooth. He also gave Raiders RT DJ Glaze problems with his speed and bend off the edge. Landry can really corner the edge by dipping underneath tackles, and his run defense slanting or setting the edge was solid, too — a good all-around performance.
– DT Milton Williams was noticeably disruptive throughout this game with four total pressures and a run stuff. Williams’s ability to quickly get on the edges and knife into gaps allowed for several disruptions. His pressures came on an inside slant rush, push-pull technique, punch-rip, and a vintage Williams bull rush. He has an impressive first step, balance, and speed-to-power to quickly get on the interior’s edges and ride through soft corners. Williams’s tape was a lot of fun.
– The Patriots run defense settled down after a leaky start, where alignment issues and pre-snap communication seemed to lead to open gaps. Once they sorted that out, they held 2025 sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty in check (2.0 YPC). To combat the Raiders zone schemes, the Pats slanted the line with the interior defensive line taking the inside gaps while second-level defenders contained the edges. Again, once they settled down from an assignment standpoint, their run defense was solid.
– S Jaylinn Hawkins rode the rollercoaster, starting opposite rookie Craig Woodson at safety. Hawkins caught a deflected pass for an interception, logged a sack, and a run TFL. However, he also gave up a 26-yard TD and a 38-yard completion to Bowers. Hawkins makes some instinctive plays in the rush and around the ball, but his man coverage reps were shaky.
– CB Carlton Davis had two pass breakups, one on third down and another that led to a huge interception, but he also got beat on a vertical route by WR Dont’e Thornton on a key third down late in the game (36 yards on third-and-20). Overall, Davis was solid outside the Thornton play, with some standout coverage reps on Bowers and Meyers.
– CB Alex Austin had a nice coverage rep on Bowers, knocking away a backside slant for a pass breakup. However, he also allowed a key 23-yard completion to WR Jack Bech in man coverage where the Pats doubled Bowers and Meyers, and Meyers caught a 23-yard stop route in front of Austin in a quarters coverage. The Bech completion was an example where the Pats missed Gonzo. With all the attention on Bowers and Meyers, Austin was on an island.
– CB Marcus Jones was one the scene for Bowers’s 30-yard completion on a post-wheel concept into a cover-three zone. With his eyes in the backfield, Geno pump-faked to an under route, causing Jones to bite, and then Bowers snuck behind him on the wheel up the right sideline. On a positive note, Jones made a great screen tackle on third down and undercut a shallow crosser, nearly intercepting the pass in man-to-man.
– DT Christian Barmore might be shaking the rust off still. His balance/body control and rush rhythm were a little off. But he did set some solid picks on line stunts, logged two run stuffs, one where he flashed vintage power on a press-and-shed, and registered a hurry. The Pats need more from Barmore, but we’ll give him grace while he works his way back.
– S Craig Woodson kept himself out of trouble with just an eight-yard completion allowed into his coverage. Woodson did get beat in man-to-man by Bowers, but the ball wasn’t thrown, and had missed a tackle. Overall, you’ll take that performance from a rookie in his first NFL game.
– LB Robert Spillane logged four pressures as an off-ball blitzer. However, he also missed three tackles and appeared to lose contain on an 11-yard scramble. LB Christian Elliss was inconsistent as a zone-dropper between the numbers, allowing a team-high six catches for 69 yards into his coverage. Again, linebacker play in coverage is something to monitor.
– Pressure: Landry (8, 2.5 sacks), Williams (4), Spillane (4), Chaisson (2, sack), Hawkins (sack), Farmer (1), Barmore (1), Tonga (1). Run stuffs: Barmore (2), Jones (2), Tonga (2), Landry (2), one apiece (Woodson, Austin, Dugger, Gibbens, Durden, Williams, Hawkins).
– Hawkins (3/3/88 yards/TD/INT), Elliss (6/6/69 yards), Davis (7/3/68 yards/2 PBUs), Austin (5/3/55 yards/PBU), Jones (4/2/34 yards/PBU), Spillane (3/3/26 yards), James (1/1/11 yards), Woodson (2/2/6 yards), Pettus (2/1/5 yards).
Source link
