FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Some NFL defenses win with relentless pressure and a decisive knockout punch. Others take a more cerebral approach and ultimately win the fight by either a late knockout or decision.
The New England Patriots mostly fall into the latter category, with the most recent example coming in Sunday’s 22-17 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had 34 dropbacks in the game and this is how the Patriots rushed him:
2 rushers: 1 time
3 rushers: 14 times
4 rushers: 17 times
5 rushers: 2 times
Outside of a Logan Ryan corner blitz with 4 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the second quarter (incomplete pass), and linebacker Kyle Van Noy blitzing with 6:55 left in the fourth quarter (Quincy Enunwa 23-yard completion), the Patriots played it safe with a disciplined, coverage-based approach aimed at eliminating the big passing play.