If the Patriots knew their plan to replace Devin McCourty, they weren't forthcoming with it. Back in the spring and summer, they were just as unsure as we were and prepared to have a real, live competition.
One day, it looked like it might be Jalen Mills. The next is Adrian Phillips. And the day after that, rookie Marte Mapu. Never did Jabril Peppers seem to make sense in that role. He had been primarily a box safety in the NFL after a decorated career at the University of Michigan, someone who was viewed as a good player going forward. But that sideways and backward thing? Not so much. We didn't know that Peppers has found what I would best describe as an inner zen, while outwardly, he is still trucking dudes like it's his job (which is definitely part of it).
"The way I was doing things wasn't working, and so, you know, I had to change up a lot," said Peppers this week.
Aside from spending extra time working on his body, Peppers wouldn't reveal those changes. He does feel like some of these preconceived notions we (or I) held were wrong while admitting that, as a young player, it wasn't always perfect, which stuck with him.
"I mean, I feel like I've always done things well," he said assuredly. "It was just come game day out, I'd make a mistake or not make the play, and then that's what the reputation becomes. I don't really worry about things like that. I know what type of player I am. I just about showcasing it on Sundays or whenever we play."
"I think people kind of forget who Pep was," said Matthew Judon. "I think that's what he plays with, that's the passion, the intensity that he comes to the field with. He has a lot to prove to the people who say he couldn't."
Peppers has played a fair amount of snaps as the free safety, but the Pats have also worked him plenty close to the line of scrimmage. Like a few of his teammates in week two, he missed a tackle or two versus the Dolphins, but, as you would expect, he has generally been rock solid in run support. The more surprising aspect has been his play in coverage. He's been adept at handling his coverage responsibilities, and per Pro Football Focus (which is flawed but at least flawed for everyone), his QB Rating while in man coverage is a paltry 39.6, the best amongst the Pats' safeties. In zone, that number is nearly double, but only Kyle Dugger has been better at the position on this roster, be it ever so slightly.
"I think I have a better understanding of the game," he said. "I definitely know how to read the quarterback a lot better. I understand splits, concepts, and spacing a lot better. Being in this league for a while, you know the coaches, the coaching family they come from, what type of routes they like to do, and what type of offenses they like to have. And, you know, just trusting your instincts. You know, let the plays come to you. I don't chase plays anymore. Just play within myself."
Part of Peppers' improvement is also about personal and situational circumstances. He tore his ACL in 2021, derailing his momentum coming off a solid 2020 with the Giants. He also had an excellent working knowledge of the Pats system before he even walked in the door at Gillette, having played under Joe Judge (who was a part of the evaluation that got Peppers to Foxborough) in Jersey with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, another former Patriot assistant, overseeing his development.
"I feel like I'm at the point where, you know, I'm healthy," he said. "I'm not thinking about anything. I feel strong, got my burst back, confident. (It's my) second year in this system, but I've been playing in this system since PG (Graham) got to the Giants, so I'm comfortable. (There are) some different nuances, different verbiage, but it's year seven. It's now or never."
Through three weeks, Peppers has been living in the now and making the Pats look bright for giving him an opportunity, which the 27-year-old has taken advantage of.
JETTING TO NOWHERE?
It has been easy to take shots at the Jets, especially after watching Zach Wilson look like someone who has no business playing in the NFL. It's a little over three years after Wilson was being compared - loosely - to Patrick Mahomes, only the best signal caller in football. Wilson was the second overall draft pick in 2021, behind only Trevor Lawrence, and some - Chris Simms amongst them - thought the BYU product was the better prospect. Lawrence already has a playoff win and looks the part of a franchise quarterback. On the other hand, Wilson is hanging on by a very thin thread, at least with the Jets.
Robert Saleh has gotten his fair share of blame for what's happened with the Jets, as if he's responsible for Aaron Rodgers blowing out his Achilles. Heaven forbid you say you're standing by Wilson, especially with his backup, Tim Boyle, who has never been anyone's idea of a starting QB himself. I see a desperate man doing his damndest not to let the season get flushed down the toilet, and also the only one associated with the Jets who said what football people knew.
"There's an identity we're trying to find on the offensive side of the ball, and it's not an excuse, but the reality is, it was built a certain way, and now we're trying to adjust on the fly, which is a challenge, but a challenge that I think we're going to end up getting an answer for."
That's the reality, but don't kid yourself; it's not just for the Jets. Most (26? 27? 28?) teams would turtle without their franchise quarterback, regardless of what the rest of the roster looks like. The likes of Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, or Andy Dalton could keep you afloat for a week or three, but the idea that there's a playoff appearance in their future, never mind a Super Bowl, may not be quite one in a million. Still, it's not once in a season, either. Nick Foles was the last backup to win a title, and even that comes with an asterisk (*Malcolm Butler).
It seems unlikely the Jets will follow suit. They're already dealing with turmoil that erupted on the sidelines during Sunday's loss to the Pats. Their roster construction is under question, as is their decision to keep Wilson even after the team revolted against him a season ago, embracing Mike White as their savior. That didn't work either, but at that time, anyone else would do. Once again, the same may hold true, and a season filled with such promise is already burning and could go up in smoke soon.
GAME OF THE YEAR (SO FAR)
Undefeated Miami visits 2-1 Buffalo this weekend. The Dolphins put up 70 against the Broncos on Sunday. That's only the third time a team has gone for 70 or more in NFL history, and the most points in a game since the Saints (coincidentally coached by Sean Payton) put up 63 on the Colts back in 2011. They'll be hard-pressed to duplicate that against a Bills defense that is running back basically the same personnel (healthier) as they did last year but now has head coach Sean McDermott also calling the defense.
That unit proved opportunistic against the Commanders in week 3, turning them over five times. They've allowed just 29 points total, six coming on the walk-off, game-winning punt return by the Jets in the opener, and have yet to allow more than 300 yards in a game. But the Dolphins will provide an entirely different challenge with pure speed and incredible precision.
"The challenge this week is the ball comes out so fast," said McDermott. "That's very impressive. You just try and figure out what you can do because they've got a good thing going with both the run and the pass. You watch that Denver game …"
I'll finish the sentence for him: You watch that Denver game, and you think to yourself, what exactly have I signed up for? Knowing McDermott a little, he'll relish this challenge and come up with something to force Tua off his first read and, hopefully, off his spot. That will give his defense, which has done an excellent job marrying rush to coverage thus far, a chance, especially against an offense that seems full of sprinters - Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle (who should be good to go this week), Raheem Mostert and rookie De'Von Arcane.
"It seems like they added to it this offseason, right?" McDermott said on Monday of the Dolphins offense. "So, very good skill. Tua is throwing the ball extremely well. And their schematics are almost revolutionary in what they do. Coach (Mike) McDaniel is very creative and does a lot of things to get you out of position on defense."
Get your popcorn ready.
CAUGHT A BOLT OF LIGHTNING
I will always need help understanding Brandon Staley and his coaching decisions. Going for it on 4th down from your 24-yard line late in the fourth quarter didn't go as planned. The Vikings stuffed a run out of an obvious running formation (offensive coordinator Kellen Moore might want to shelve that), but linebacker Kenneth Murray's interception in the end zone saved the Chargers first win of the season.
"We were trying to go win the game," Staley said postgame. "I make no apologies for that."
That decision by Staley pitted the analytics versus the old-school football thought process - can we find a happy medium? - but what bothered me most about it was it obscured what Justin Herbert is doing to start this season.
I know he doesn't have a playoff win - that meltdown against the Jaguars last year will leave a mark - but Herbert is not the one to hang that on. I can't imagine that too many teams (KC, Cincinnati, and maybe Buffalo and Baltimore) would say no to having Herbert be the franchise for the next decade or so. Sunday, he completed 40-of-47 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. That's the single best completion percentage (85.1%) for a QB throwing for over four bills since 1970. Yes, he's special. Catch a replay of this one. Herbert is elite, and he's still growing, not only as a player but also as a leader.
"Experience is the best teacher," he told reporters, referencing the playoff loss when they were up 27-0 in the first half. "To be able to go through that and see the other side, I know that we're better because of it. Whether it's a fourth-quarter drive or a play that we need late in the game, I know these guys have been able to fight through it. Whenever this adversity comes, we'll be ready."
NERD NUMBERS
- The 49ers are the 3rd team in NFL history to start 3-0 with the same number of points scored in each game (The 49ers have scored 30 points in each of their first three games). They join the 1936 Pittsburgh Pirates & the 2007 New England Patriots (oh, what could have been).
- De’Von Achane is the 3rd rookie RB with 200+ scrimmage yards & 4+ TD on fewer than 25 touches since 1950. The other two? Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and former Bronco and Commander Clinton Portis. I just watched a 7-and-a-half-minute highlight reel of Sayers. You should, too.