Bedard's Breakdown: There's finally something for Belichick to harp on the defense about, and it's perfect timing

It took until the seventh game, but Bill Belichick finally has something to get on his defense about in film sessions.

He's probably smiling inside about it. If you thought the media likes to nitpick and make a mountain out of a molehill, Belichick is world-class at it. Actually it's an integral part of why the Patriots have an unrivaled history in the NFL when it comes to sustained success.

Think you're a hotshot after a big game on national TV? Belichick's going to knock you down a peg in film.

Is your Twitter blowing up with your highlights? Belichick's got your lowlights teed up and ready for you.

It doesn't matter if the Patriots win 33-0, like they did on Monday night, or if they lose 33-0. The Patriots always start the next work week at zero when it comes to accomplishments. You are 0-0. You have no stats. It all starts all over again every week.

So when the Patriots arrive back at the facility this morning, the offense will still be sputtering along. The defense — which can't turn on their phones without hearing how historically good they are (and, they are any way you slice it) — will get a quick pat on the back, and then it will be their turn in the hot seat when the film gets turned on.

Yes, the Patriots are spectacular as a whole on defense. It starts with the pass coverage, which is just suffocating and nothing I've ever seen before in the league. That helps the pass rush, but it doesn't need it, not with all the read and hug blitzes, games and straight blitzes they throw at poor souls like Sam Darnold.

But the Patriots defense showed enough miniature cracks in one area of the game to give the type of opening Belichick loves. And considering the upcoming schedule, he has to be even more thrilled.

What's he going to get on the defense about?

Despite Darnold and the Jets passing offense not being any threat and having multiple defenders around the line of scrimmage the Patriots, for the first time this season, had issues with their gap discipline when it came to the running game. It didn't show up much thanks to the score and Darnold's turnovers, but Jets running backs rushed 18 times for 81 yards. The 4.6 yards-per-carry average was actually only the third-highest of the season after Washington (7.3 — most coming on the touchdown) and Buffalo (6.1). So that's three of the last four games where the Patriots have had some issue with the run. And the Patriots' decline in this area is reflected in their No. 8 ranking in rush defense DVOA at FootballOutsiders.com.

And wouldn't you know it? Here comes the No. 4 team in rushing offensive DVOA, the Browns. Followed by the top-ranked (by a good margin) Ravens and Lamar Jackson. Later, they'll see No. 2 (Dallas), the fifth-ranked Bills again, and No. 9 Texans.

Oh yes, come to Belichick. The timing couldn't be more perfect for the coach to reset his troops and make sure they're not reading their press clippings.

What's the issue? Really, it's minor and can easily be cleaned up with more focus — which tends to wane as you're going up against creampuff after creampuff. Playing good team run defense takes immense discipline and unselfish teamwork. These Patriots don't have any issue with either of those, so I expect to see them more focused with better execution this Sunday against Cleveland, and they'll be on top of their game for Baltimore.

The issue in this game, at times, was gap discipline. I dinged the Patriots for leaking in their gap integrity/setting the edge on nine plays. Those nine carries resulted in 66 yards, or 80.5 percent of the Jets' rushing yardage (three missed tackles didn't help either). For this group, that's a bundle. I didn't have them for more than three as a team in any one previous game.

Basically on every play, the Patriots have every gap accounted for, with some players playing two. When the Patriots are at their best against the run on most plays (there are some exotic calls like straight run blitzes), the defensive front should look like one cohesive line from up top and from the side. You'll hear it described as, "Walling up." Or one big, strong wall. You'll see other teams with players shooting up the field or climbing over teammates to make plays.

The Patriots don't want that. Actually, it will get you benched (see, Danny Shelton last season) if repeated too often. If you're trying to make a play and leave a void in the wall, you're leaving a teammate out to dry and the defense exposed.

Two back-to-back plays around the end of the first quarter — runs of 7 and 19 yards by Bell — perfectly illustrated the "issues" that Belichick will likely be picking at over and over again.



Again, these aren't major issues. It's not about a talent deficiency. And some of it was good line play by the Jets, so give them some credit. After the game coming almost too easy to this defense, their focus and attention to detail waned ever so slightly.

Be thankful (again) for Bill Belichick. He won't let this linger at all and, considering the upcoming schedule, the Patriots will be better for it.

Here are the positional ratings against the Jets, Part Deux:

OFFENSE

[table id=380 /]

Quarterback (4.5 out of 5)

Tom Brady has certainly had bigger and more efficient games, but I thought he was excellent throughout this contest. He appeared to have a renewed sense of purpose in this one, as he gutted through some tough pressure and big drops by his receivers to execute at a high level. The fourth-down throw to Ben Watson, the dime touchdown to Phillip Dorsett, third-down catch by Jakobi Meyers and the drop by Julian Edelman were all exceptional and part of 11 plus plays that I noted — with four coming against pressure. That might not be exciting, but it was really good work. Only dinged him for a couple throws and two half-pressures, one that resulted in the interception. Plus, Brady finally embraced Meyers (golf clap).

Running backs (4 out of 5)

Sony Michel did some nice work when given space to run (that wasn't often), but leave it to him to drop a perfect screen call by Josh McDaniels in the red zone, and then to catch a ball for an 8-yard loss that Brady probably didn't want him to catch. ... Ridiculous catch by Brandon Bolden, and Damien Harris looked much quicker to the hole than Michel on his 13-yard run. ... Elandon Roberts was 1-for-3 on his goalline blocks. The Official Fullback of BSJ has to start somewhere.

Receivers (4 out of 5)

Thought Meyers and Dorsett were excellent in their chances, and everyone else was a mixed bag. ... Tomlinson allowed three stuffed runs, but he did just get here. The blocking overall was much better from this group ... and they all made it out of the game.

Offensive line (1.5 out of 5)

The pass blocking was, surprisingly, not that bad although it seemed worse. A pressure percentage of 25 percent is not bad at all. That being said, the 42.9 percent stuffed run percentage was horrendous again. That's not even close to good enough for an NFL rushing game. This unit must do a better job. ... Joe Thuney was excellent again. Gave him a half hit for the Brady interception because it did take Brady 4 seconds to release the ball. Still, Thuney probably thought he should have sustained the block. That was his only "miscue." Perfect otherwise. ... Everyone else? They were all bad and it's hard to decipher between them. If I had to rank them, from best to worst, it would go Ted Karras, Marshall Newhouse, Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon. The right side of the line has really been an issue, and the Patriots keep running that way. We know the results.

DEFENSE

[table id=381 /]

Defensive line (3 out of 5)

I put the outside linebackers with this group because they act as one unit on most plays and after being nearly perfect in the first six games, this group had issues on 11 plays. ... Kyle Van Noy had the most issues, but he also made the most impactful plays. Lawrence Guy was the only other player with multiple minus plays. ... Chase Winovich and Shilique Calhoun were very good in limited roles.

Linebackers (3.5 out of 5)

Little bit of leakage from Dont'a Hightower, Roberts and Ja'Whaun Bentley, but it was a solid performance with some splash plays mixed in.

Secondary (4.5 out of 5)

Man this group is playing lights out. They even didn't have Patrick Chung and fill-in Terrence Brooks was outstanding picking up the slack. ... Joejuan Williams looked good in limited time. He's come so far from early in camp. ... The only issue was J.C. Jackson with his three penalties and a poor cover that went incomplete.

FOUR UP

Stephon Gilmore: Completely locked up Robbie Anderson and had the interception. OBJ, you're next.

Terrence Brooks: Man, can that guy blitz or what? Had three pressures, a half stuffed run and an interception. Not bad for a part-timer.

Tom Brady: One of his best performances of the early season. He was in complete command and spread the ball around.

Joe Thuney: Only had one half a miscue. The rest of his linemates had 27. The man is having an outstanding season in a contract year. Pay that man his money.

THREE DOWN

J.C. Jackson: Grabby McGrabberson keeps getting called and it's going to cost the team in a big spot if it's not cleaned up.

Marcus Cannon: He's just not moving as well or playing with the same strength he used to. I don't know what the issue is.

Marshall Newhouse/Shaq Mason: Had almost as many issues as Cannon did, but they were slightly better. One issue Mason is having: coming off double teams too early and leaving his teammates in bad spots. He's normally excellent at that.