Things have certainly turned around for Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia’s defense since the first month of the season. The constant breakdowns in communication, big plays being hit all over the field and the defense allowing a ton of yards and points now seem a distant memory. And it should. The defense has made remarkable strides in the past seven games, holding opponents to 17 points or less in each one.
There hasn’t been any magical elixir or fairy dust sprinkled on the players, just old-fashioned hard work as the players have put the time in, worked hard and have gotten more comfortable in their respective roles.