The Patriots' defense, for the most part this season, have played solid defense on a down-to-down basis.
The last two weeks, however, the Patriots are getting burned by the big play more often than not.
Through the first seven weeks of the season — even against opponents such as the Eagles, Dolphins, Cowboys and Bills, the Patriots were fifth in explosive play rate allowed at 8.2%.
However, in the last two weeks, against the Dolphins and Commanders, the Patriots fell to 27th at 11.3%
What's the problem? What are the issues? With each passing week it seems to be a little bit of everything from ineffective pass rush, blown coverage assignments, shoddy tackling and, yes, some effort issues.
A look at the worst six plays against Sam Howell and the Commanders, plus a bonus play that should have been a touchdown thanks to a blown coverage from Marte Mapu, before we get into player and unit ratings and three up/three down:
1Q 3-7-WAS 23 (1:33) (Shotgun) S.Howell pass short left to B.Pringle to WAS 49 for 26 yards (Jo.Jones) [J.Uche].
Problems: Mack Wilson left his middle linebacker spot to unnecessarily help should Howell scramble — they had plenty of guys to do that. And no one was in the hook/flat area to Washington's left. This looks like a bust all around.
2Q 2-7-WAS 20 (8:45) S.Howell pass deep left to J.Dotson pushed ob at WAS 44 for 24 yards (Jo.Jones).
Problems: 4.3 seconds to throw — way too long. Jonathan Jones and Jalen Mills were too deep at the Cover 2 safety spots. But mostly it was the lack of pass rush.
2Q 3-23-WAS 44 (1:46) (Shotgun) S.Howell scrambles left end pushed ob at NE 32 for 24 yards (Ja.Jones)
Problems: Bad pass rush discipline (Deatrich Wise goes past the QB, and I think Ja'Whaun Bentley was supposed to twist with Christian Barmore but Bentley, as can happen with a LB, gets his rear kicked by the RG. And then Adrian Phillips and Mills miss the tackle, and Kyle Dugger is watching too much. Embarrassing.
3Q 2-10-NE 33 (6:58) (Shotgun) S.Howell pass deep middle to J.Dotson for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Problems: This is a very odd coverage after the Patriots show all-out blitz, as Myles Bryant jumps Dotson at the snap. The pregame scout must have predicted Washington would run a quick low crosser against this — Bryant would be protecting against rubs and an in-breaking route. But the Commanders just blow by the Patriots - in very Chiefs fashion (Eric Bieniemy). The pass rush is all messed up. Phillips, Godchaux and Peppers just aren't right. On this type of play, the rush has to get home - and it was a great pocket.
3Q 3-8-WAS 26 (3:54) (Shotgun) S.Howell pass deep left to T.McLaurin ran ob at NE 48 for 26 yards [C.Barmore].
Problems: Not perfect coverage by Jones and the rush knocks down Howell, but the QB just makes a dime throw. Time your cap.
3Q 1-10-NE 48 (3:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) S.Howell pass short middle to T.McLaurin to NE 12 for 36 yards (Jo.Jones).
Problems: Bad zone drop by Bentley, it's where you need an athletic linebacker. Mills takes terrible tackling angle, and JC Jackson is completely out to lunch as the other deep player in Cover 3. Just bad defense.
Video analysis of the plays:
Here are the positional ratings against the Commanders:
DEFENSE
Defensive line (3 out of 5)
The pass rush numbers look good, but Howell was really effective at 8.5 yards per attempt when pressured — the Patriots didn't quite get here in time. ... Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore and Anfernee Jennings combined for over half the pressure in the game. ... Not sure why Josh Uche didn't play more — could have been pacing him coming back from injury. But they need him to be a stud in these games. ... In the Chiefs' tradition, Eric Bieniemy tested the edges and was not afraid to have Howell hold the ball for deeper routes to develop. ... Patriots blitzed nine times, including five all-out pressures in the first half. They only used two five-man blizes against Howell in the second half. He blistered them with a 112.8 rating against the blitz.
Linebackers (2 out of 5)
Bentley, Tavai and Wilson all had impactful moments, but there were a lot of issues in pass coverage and tackling.
Secondary (1.5 out of 5)
This unit is really struggling. Six missed tackles, another six big-time mistakes in coverage. The introduction of JC Jackson has not helped that much and it makes them more undisciplined. ... At this point, the only players I trust to be in the right spot are Jabrill Peppers, Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant. Peppers and Bryant are just limited and slot up a spot higher due to injuries. ... This was another game where Kyle Dugger stands out on a handful of plays, and then he frustrates you on another handful - including two missed tackles.
THREE UP
DT Christian Barmore: Absolutely playing the best ball of his young career and becoming a real force.
DE Deatrich Wise: The old-ish man is still bringing it with the pass rush.
DE Keion White: Not overly impactful and he had some tough reps, but he's making progress.
THREE DOWN
S Adrian Phillips: Barely being used and he doesn't seem very engaged.
S Jalen Mills: Three missed tackles, including that ridiculous 24-yard scramble.
DE Josh Uche: 17 snaps and he contributed to the 9-yard TD run?