Taking a closer look via video at three key Patriots plays from Sunday's win over the Titans, which include:
- Devin McCourty's fundamentals setting up JC Jackson's strip;
- Big three-and-out by the defense to set up game-winning score;
- Titans failing at all the fundamentals the Patriots showcased, and Kendrick Bourne being Kendrick Bourne.
TEN-2-4-TEN 24 (10:34) D.Foreman left guard to NE 46 for 30 yards (J.Jackson). FUMBLES (J.Jackson), RECOVERED by NE-J.Mills at NE 37. J.Mills ran ob at NE 37 for no gain.
This play gave us a chance to take a quick look at some the bad things the Patriots did in this game (run defense), but also how their smarts and experience show up in key spots and (later) how the opponents can't match up in that regard.
D'Onta Foreman gets free on this play because excellent Titans center Ben Jones turns Carl Davis to eliminate him from the play immediately, Dont'a Hightower couldn't get off the left guard, and very quick RG Aaron Brewer gets out on a deep Ja'Whaun Bentley and owns him down the field.
But the key maneuver on this play wasn't JC Jackson's strip (although it was great), or Jalen Mills' recovery (well done and smart). It was Devin McCourty, who didn't officially factor into the play.
His decision to play the outside shoulder of the blocker forced Foreman back into the field where McCourty knows he has help coming. You never want to give up the sideline — as you'll see in a bit — because there's no help there. Force the runner back to where you know you have friends coming. McCourty does an excellent job of that here and if it wasn't for that decision, Jackson never gets a chance to strip the ball and the Titans are in business in Patriots territory driving for the go-ahead score. Foreman probably runs another 10 yards and then goes out of bounds. But McCourty forced him back inside to Jackson, and then Mills.
Huge game-changing play that easily could have gone for the Titans.
TEN-1-10-TEN 11 (7:51) R.Tannehill pass incomplete short right to T.Carter (D.Wise).
TEN-2-10-TEN 11(7:47) (Shotgun) R.Tannehill scrambles right end to TEN 16 for 5 yards (M.Judon).
TEN-3-5-TEN 16 (6:59) (Shotgun) R.Tannehill pass incomplete short left to C.Hollister (J.Mills).
Patriots do a nice job to pin the Titans deep again (average field position: TEN 24; NE 41) at their 11-yard line.
On the opening play, Titans have a drive-starter set up against a soft Patriots defense with a 5-yard hook in the flat to FB Tony Carter. Bentley comes on a blitz, which forces RT David Quessenberry to help on Bentley instead of squaring up Deatrich Wise. The guard only gets his outside arm on Wise, who is free to read the short drop by Tannehill and get a hand on the ball. 2nd and 10 compared to 2nd 5 or 4 is a huge difference.
On second down, as opposed to the Titans in this game, the Patriots read this screen like a book — which is something the Patriots do better than anyone. Hightower sees it coming a mile away — he and Vince Wilfork are probably the best screen sniffers I've ever seen — and he jacks up the back, forcing Tannehill to scramble. Matthew Judon nearly gets faked out by Tannehill, but he does well to stay with him and hold him to 5 yards. Judon also smartly let s go on the tackle to avoid a horsetackle penalty. Smart.
On third down, the pass is not good from Tannehill — anything to the sideline is a completion — but Mills does a great job of sensing the coming out route, getting there and making a play on the ball.
NE-3-6-TEN 41 (5:12) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to K.Bourne for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
After that three-and-out, Patriots have great field position and finally put the pesky Titans away on this drive. Just an innocuous little 5-yard checkdown from Mac Jones, but a lot happens on this play.
First, it appears that Hunter Henry purposely engages with the linebacker in a pseudo pick play. If Henry just runs right by him, then the linebacker probably recognizes the crosser and makes a play on Bourne short or near the sticks. Henry's route runs interference for the route and was likely part of the play.
After the catch, Bourne puts a head-fake on CB Jackrabbit Jenkins — who does the exact opposite that McCourty did on the first play, and gives up the sideline instead of forcing him back to his trailing teammates.
After that, Meyers makes a great subtle block just getting in the way of the safety, who also fails to get to the sideline by hesitating and giving Meyers a chance at the block.
Finally, Bourne gives a stiff arm and stays in bounds to put the game away.
A pass for 4 yards goes for 41 and the game-clinching touchdowns (after four-straight field goals) all because of great teamwork.