Top five reasons Patriots’ fans should be thankful this year

What Patriots fans should be thankful for: #3

The emergence of Deatrich Wise

Patriots fans have rightfully been shouting from the rooftops about Matthew Judon’s dominance this season. Fewer in the local media, and certainly the national media, have made much mention of Deatrich Wise. The 28 year old defensive lineman is in the midst of his sixth season in the league, and this is by far his finest. Through 10 games, Wise has 37 tackles, six tackles for loss, six and a half sacks, three pass defenses, and two forced fumbles.

He has already surpassed his single season high in sacks and is on pace to shatter his highest totals in several other areas. The first-time captain has seen a snap rate of 79%, substantially higher than his career high in 2020 of 56%. He has delivered consistent solid football opposite Matthew Judon, giving the duo the second highest number of quarterback pressures in the NFL.

For every Vince Wilfork or Richard Seymour, there is a Ty Warren or Trey Flowers. Deatrich Wise is one of those glue guys that helps keeps the unit together and we should all be thankful that he’s beginning to realize his potential as a difference-maker. Signed to a four year, $22 million contract extension in the 2021 offseason, what may have looked like a head scratcher at one point is now looking like another stroke of genius from Bill Belichick.