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3 defensive MVPs for the Patriots after three-quarters of the season

By Patrick Morgan

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammate Stephon Gilmore #24 after intercepting the ball against the New York Jets of the New England Patriots during the first half at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by his teammate Stephon Gilmore #24 after intercepting the ball against the New York Jets of the New England Patriots during the first half at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Lawrence Guy of the New England Patriots reacts after recovering a fumble during a game.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 17: Lawrence Guy #93 of the New England Patriots reacts after recovering a fumble during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Lawrence Guy

Lawrence Guy is one of those NFL players you just can’t help but cheer for whenever good things happen for him.

An eight-year veteran who was a former seventh-round draft pick, Guy spent most of his professional career bouncing around from team to team before finally settling down with the Patriots in 2017. Since arriving in Foxborough and falling under Bill Belichick’s tutelage, Guy has blossomed into one of the better defensive tackles in the league today.

Criminally underrated, he’s had a bit of a coming-out-party in 2019 thanks to some splashy plays. In Week 8, he intercepted a pass from Baker Mayfield that hit him square in the chest; the following week, he recovered a Mark Ingram fumble that was forced by his teammate Kyle Van Noy.

Statistically-speaking, Guy is well on his way to having a career year. His 47 tackles are already the third-highest mark he’s ever had, and there are still four more games to play in the regular season. He needs 13 more tackles to set a career high for himself in that category.

After back-to-back subpar showings from a rush defense standpoint by the Patriots in Weeks 8 and 9 against the Browns and Ravens, respectively, the New England D has tightened up against opposing running backs and mobile quarterbacks considerably. A large part of the credit should go to Bill Belichick’s coaching – and to Bret Bielema’s coaching as well (he’s the defensive line coach).

But among players, no one has made a greater impact in holding down the line and stuffing the run than Lawrence Guy this season. He certainly deserves a place on this defensive MVP list for his efforts.

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