The New England Patriots defense may have had its issues in 2020, but it was able to bring the heat in pass rushing situations. The Patriots generated pressure either through sacks, hits or hurries on 26.4 percent of opponents’ dropbacks, the fifth best such number in the NFL during the regular season.
Not all pressure is the same, however. While New England’s pass rushers were able to repeatedly bring the heat, the group led by second-year linebacker Chase Winovich and defensive tackle Adam Butler made few big plays: opposing quarterbacks were sacked just 24 times all season, tied for 26th in the league.