With Ja'Whaun Bentley lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, the responsibility for taking the defensive calls and disseminating them to the rest of the team falls on Kyle Dugger.
Jerod Mayo raved about Dugger in the aftermath of the Seahawks game.
"Communication was good, and it was Dugger," Mayo said. "Remember, Dugger did it all last year as well, so it was not anything new for him. I've always been a huge believer in a linebacker having the green dot, but I'll tell you, the way Dugger played yesterday as a whole and being able to handle the communication, he definitely filled in for that role."
There's no question Dugger, who signed a four-year, $58-million contract in April, was his usual impactful self in the first two games of the season. Keion White leads the defense with 13 impactful plays. Dugger ranks second with 6.5, including five against the Seahawks.
That should not be a surprise. Dugger makes his presence felt in just about every game, usually on blitzes and hard tackles in the middle of the field.
But Dugger, in what has been a theme during his career, also has his struggles. Through two games he leads the defense with 6.5 minus plays in my grading. PFF has Dugger graded as the 14th-best player on the defense.
The Seahawks game perfectly encapsulated Dugger's career. He had a sack, half hurry, a half run stuff and two plus pass tackles.
But he also appeared to be responsible for the 56-yard touchdown by D.K. Metcalf and the crucial 3rd and 6 catch by Zach Charbonnet in overtime that got the Seahawks into field-goal range.
A look on video at those plays, the other issues late on the defense which included a lack of discipline in the pass rush that allowed Geno Smith to make some key plays out of the pocket:
On the Metcalf play, which Dugger took responsibility for after the game, it appeared the outside defender on either side of the field was responsible for the deep area: Jonathan Jones to the top, and Dugger to the bottom. Dugger was flat-footed and got mixed up with Christian Gonzalez while Dugger's eyes were in the backfield, which has been an annual issue for him and was on the Charbonnet play as well.
Patriots looked to bring an all-out blitz, which they like to do on the edge of field-goal range. Jabrill Peppers was on the back but after motion appeared to say something to Dugger, which indicated they switched. After the snap, Dugger lost track of Charbonnet with his eyes on James, White didn't get enough of a piece of Charbonnet as he leaked out of the backfield uncovered. Gonzalez came off his man and attempted a play-saving tackle, but he couldn't get enough on the tackle.
These are the types of issues that have plagued Dugger throughout his five-year career and have kept him from ascending to being the type of blue-chip prospect that his athletic ability allows him to be.
Dugger, who is now 28 years old, has to be better for this team in these types of crucial situations. There's even more urgency now since Dugger is responsible for the entire defense being on the same page. The late part of the Seahawks game was not a great start. It's on Dugger to be a lot better.
Here are the defensive positional ratings against the Seahawks:
Defensive line (3.5 out of 5)
The run defense was tremendous in this game as the Seahawks could barely leak a drop with 2.4 yards per attempt, and a long of 9 yards. But the pass rush outside of Keion White (4 of the team's 14 total pressures), is becoming an issue. The Patriots rank 27th in the league in pressure rate (28.6%). They are 18th in blitz rate (23.2%). ... Geno Smith killed the Patriots' blitz in this game, thanks to some good work from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and the Seahawks spreading things out and using a muddle huddle to get the Patriots to declare their intentions. Against the blitz, Smith was 10 of 13 for 161 yards, TD (143.3 rating). Against the Patriots' zero-blitz, the Seahawks were 2 for 2, 56 yards and the Metcalf TD. ... The pass rush integrity was an issue as the game went on, as the Patriots' end/tackle stunts broke down too often and allowed James to easily escape to his right (you want a right-hander to have to go to his left). He was 6 of 6 out of the pocket for 62 yards and 4 first downs. Daniel Ekuale (2), White, Anfernee Jennings and Jeremiah Pharms all had key breakdowns.
Linebackers (2.5 out of 5)
The only impactful plays from this group were from Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan coming free on blitzes, which Smith easily handled. ... McMillan had a missed tackle and was jointly responsible for the Charbonnet 1-yard touchdown run with Davon Godchaux, who got too high with his pads.
Secondary (2 out of 5)
Patriots passing defense ranks in Week 2 across the league: 31st in passing yards (312), 26th in completion percentage (75%) and 25th in passer rating (103.1). ... The Seahawks feasted off the Patriots in man and zone coverage (56% of snaps). Man: 11 of 17 107 yards, 7 passing first downs. Zone 22 of 26 205 yards, 1 TD, 4 first downs. ... I thought the Jonathan Jones DPI call was legit, there appeared to be a tug of Lockett's left arm at the very end. In any event, Patriots still had a chance to get off the field at midfield. ... Christian Gonzalez had a good pass tackle and a great pass breakup against Metcalf down the field, but he also had a facemask penalty (offset), two poor pass coverage (one was dropped) and the missed tackle on third down.
TWO UP
Keion White: He is pass rush at this point.
Deatrich Wise: His rush kept the Seahawks from hitting Metcalf on another busted play for a touchdown.
TWO DOWN
Marco Wilson: Two games, two egregious pass interference penalties. The one on Sunday was brutal, unnecessary and handed the Seahawks a touchdown on a third down. Four-point play. Wouldn't surprise me if he's benched for Alex Austin.
Kyle Dugger: Had some really, really good plays, but his two biggest miscues were very costly.