Patriots: 3 positions Pats still must improve after win vs Jets
By Jerry Trotta
2. Defensive Line
It’s admittedly difficult to nitpick the defense after they tallied four interceptions, four sacks, and didn’t allow a touchdown.
However, we expected the Patriots to completely neutralize the Jets’ rushing attack and the polar opposite happened. It looks even worse when you consider that New York’s offensive line is ravaged by injuries.
For the game, the Jets totaled 151 rushing yards at an efficient 4.7 yards per carry. With all due respect to Robert Saleh’s roster, the likes of Michael Carter, Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman shouldn’t be gashing the Pats on the ground.
Bill Belichick on the Patriots' run defense from yesterday: "The Jets did a good job in the running game. They gave us a few challenges. At times it was ok, but there's somethings we need to work on."
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 20, 2021
The Jets bullied the Patriots in the running game on Sunday.
Again, the performance gave us flashbacks to last season, when the Patriots ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed per game. In response, Belichick went out and signed Matt Judon, Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson to bolster the DL. He also drafted Ronnie Perkins and Christian Barmore back in April.
While the Patriots currently rank 14th in rushing defense through two games, they’ve faced bang-average offenses. If New England is struggling to slow down Myles Gaskin, Malcolm Brown, Carter, Johnson and Coleman, we hate to think how the upper-echelon RBs are going to fare against them down the road.
The defensive line simply has to get a better push at the point of attack.