The Patriots' title defense largely started the way the last season finished: with the offense searching for offensive consistency and an identity (despite the 33-3 final — you can thank the Steelers' mistake-prone defense and offense for that), and the defense again largely carrying the banner as the most dependable side of the ball.
There weren't a whole lot of unexpected aspects of this game for the Patriots. We've been talking for weeks that the Patriots were going to use multiple running backs out of passing sets, and at times the tight end was likely to disappear from the offense. Both held true in this one.
But there were two notable aspects for this team going forward, and both are on the defensive side of the ball. We'll get to the usual unit grades, charts and videos, but first, we start with what stood out on the defense:
PERSONNEL/STARTERS/ROLE PLAYERS
When the Patriots decided to keep a lot of borderline veterans that were possible cuts/trades instead of opting to go younger and cheaper, you had to wonder how those players were going to get much playing time. And that also held true in the opener.
At least to start this season, players like Elandon Roberts (zero defensive snaps — his shift to special teams could be a reason for his new-found captain status), Adam Butler (17), Deatrich Wise (20), Ja'Whaun Bentley (26), John Simon (31), and Duron Harmon (42), who were prime players not too long ago, now are definitely role players. Harmon actually played 61 percent of the 69 defensive snaps, but that's a bit misleading — along with those of Wise and Bentley. All three of those players gave breathers or outright replaced (in the second half) starters in Patrick Chung, Michael Bennett and Dont'a Hightower. Danny Shelton (17 snaps) is now just a run-stuffer.
For all the talk about the Patriots being a 3-4 team (we warned you), the Patriots didn't play one snap of true 3-4. The Patriots are now a nickel-base defense as they started with two linemen (Bennett, Lawrence Guy), four linebackers (Simon, Hightower, Jamie Collins, Shilique Calhoun) and five defensive backs (both McCourtys, Chung, Stephon Gilmore and slot Jonathan Jones).
You could tell through the personnel packages employed — and it being the first game — that the Patriots were trying to keep players fresh. But their groupings against certain offensive personnel groupings were interesting in any event:
Harmon is strictly a passing down safety. There were times over the previous two seasons the Patriots appeared to be leaning toward three safeties instead of three corners in their nickel. Those days appear to be over. The Patriots rightfully want Jones on the field as much as possible now.
Chase Winovich joined Harmon on passing downs, but the rookie is quickly threatening to receive much more playing time. In short order, Winovich's production is going to be too good for the coaches to keep off the field.
COVERAGE/TACKLING
The Patriots didn't do anything out of the ordinary as far as pressure packages (there were far fewer than the end of last season) and coverage schemes. But what stood out was how remarkable the coverage was in the secondary. Ben Roethlisberger didn't have much to throw to in this game because Gilmore, Jones, Chung and the McCourtys were outstanding in their execution. I don't know if I've seen this group cover this well. The pass rush wasn't really getting home against the Steelers and Roethlisberger still couldn't find places down the field to unload the ball.
And even when the Steelers did complete passes — and they had their share against Gilmore and Jackson — the Patriots rallied to the ball with quickness and a ferociousness that we haven't seen in some time. Maybe ever.
The bottom line is even when the opponent has a good offensive line and it's tough to get pressure on the quarterback, the other team is going to have to work excruciatingly hard — and be extremely precise through the air — to move the ball.
Good luck to them.
Here are the positional ratings against the Steelers:
Quarterback (5 out of 5)
First third down of the game, Tom Brady was a little spooked by T.J. Watt’s rush against Shaq Mason and ended up stepping out of a throw to Phillip Dorsett (or Julian Edelman). … The second Dorsett score was a flat coverage bust, likely by Terrell Edmunds. Appeared to be Cover 3 with a robber, but both safeties dropped to be the robber. That's not going to work. … Brady didn't have a super high degree of difficulty in this one, but this was about as good an opener he's had in some time with just a few minor miscues. The first Dorsett touchdown was a great throw thanks to Brady moving the safety with his eyes. ... The 44-yard deep post to Josh Gordon was a terrific play by both players and showed how much Brady's trust has grown in the receiver.
Running backs (2.5 out of 5)
Ridiculous run by Rex Burkhead with 2:55 left in the third quarter where he made two Steelers collide in the backfield and went for 11 yards. … Sony Michel didn’t have a whole lot of options in this game at the line, and Josh Gordon’s hesitation with 11:18 left the fourth quarter was most to blame for that no-gain run, but Michel could have anticipated and changed course to the right where there was some room. … On the next play, he was a bit tentative. That’s what I would say about him overall. Michel was very, very tentative running the ball for some reason and that's unusual for him. In fact, I've never seen him be this indecisive in a game. Very strange.
Receivers (3.5 out of 5)
I’m already worried about Julian Edelman’s left foot. At least twice I saw him looking down at it and flexing it. That was an issue for much of last season. The thumb didn't seem to be much of an issue, which is good news. Thought Edelman was excellent other than this drop. ... Dorsett was good on the two touchdowns and had another nice diving catch, but I wouldn't say he starred in this one or anything. He just did his job: ran good routes, caught the ball as usual and benefited from some bad defense at times ... Thought Gordon was more impressive in fewer chances. ... Ryan Izzo was solid at TE, but somebody really needs to show him how to run a pick play. Inconsistent blocking with two stuffed runs and a half knockdown.
Offensive line (3 out of 5)
[table id=354 /]
Color me shocked that the players who had the toughest time in this game ... were the two highest-paid and most-experienced on the line: Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon. They combined to allow nine of the 15 quarterback pressures and half of the nine stuffed runs. ... Mason, in particular, had arguably his worst game as a pro and he had trouble with everything and everyone. He had one snap where he was just bowled over. You never see that out of him. He didn't look hurt, just a slow start? ... Cannon did better this time against Watt, but not by much. J.J.'s younger brother is still giving the Patriots fits. ... Isaiah Wynn had an excellent debut with just two negative plays, but Bud Dupree never does anything against the Patriots. ... Ted Karras had a good debut (four negative plays). It's funny, his snaps seemed to be an issue on TV and live, but they weren't noticeable on the coaches' film. ... Joe Thuney had a clean sheet other than one poor screen block. He's staking his claim to be the best Patriots' lineman this season, and it's a contract year for him. ... In order of effectiveness: Thuney, Wynn, Karras, Cannon, Mason.
DEFENSE
[table id=355 /]
Defensive line (5 out of 5)
The only error in this group was Shilique Calhoun's encroachment. Other than that, they were flawless. Not a ton of pressure generated (22.2 percent), but it was good enough with the coverage the Patriots played, and it was dictated by the Steelers' spread formations. ... On Danny Shelton’s first snap of the game — the third and 1 at the Pittsburgh 30 midway early in the second quarter, Shelton did what he couldn’t do last year and wound up getting him benched — he two-gapped the right tackle, shed him and made the play. ... Michael Bennett (six plus plays) is handful — and this was one of the best lines in the league. He does need to watch getting caught up field against the run. ... Everyone was productive in this group, even Wise in limited action. You really how much of a role Butler will have as the Patriots go forward. ... And Winovich, who chased down two plays from the backside, needs to play more. He's way too productive to sit behind Simon, really, at any time.
Linebackers (3 out of 5)
Solid work out of this group, but nothing spectacular. ... Hightower was largely quiet as far as plays, but was strong in the middle. He's lost none of his playing strength. ... It's like Collins never left. He'll have a few splash plays, but also a few where he gets exposed in space and a few freelancing plays that whiff. ... The Patriots could still be looking for a cover linebacker. The footspeed of this group could be a concern against some of the faster teams, like Kansas City, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Collins is an athlete, but he's not super fast. ... Bentley looked OK in his limited snaps, a little faster than preseason.
Secondary (4 out of 5)
We covered the coverage, but this wasn't a flawless game by this group outside of Jonathan Jones, who obviously isn't taking the money and running. He's fast, strong and competitive. ... Jason McCourty had a great game — outside of the 45-yard pass he gave up when he stopped running. ... Stephon Gilmore has had better games, but most of the damage was minor. He had issues in the slot against JuJu Smith-Schuster. It's not so easy to cover when you don't have the boundary as another teammate. ... The Patriots won't want Devin McCourty to retire, maybe ever. He's just so good.
Jonathan Jones (Adam Richins for BSJ)