While the offensive skill position players typically get the majority of attention from fans and media alike, championships are won on the lines. Throughout the tenure of head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have adhered to this philosophy, oftentimes with great success.
Although the Pats enjoyed stout play along the offensive line in 2020, the defensive line had its share of difficulties. Two of the areas in which they struggled were setting the edge and stopping the run. New England ranked 26th in the NFL in run defense.
While the effects of the pandemic cannot be ignored for any NFL team in 2020, the Pats struggles most notably came from the lack of a true presence in the middle of that line.