In the 2019-2020 season the Patriots defense received a lot of praise for creating lots of turnovers, limiting points and carrying a team for the first time in a while with Tom Brady under center. The unit led the NFL in points allowed per game at just 14.2 points per game, sixth in rushing yards allowed per game, and second in passing yards allowed per game. Moreover they had the Defensive Player of the Year leading the charge on a stacked defense with personnel to play against every type of offense.
Unfortunately in NFL life, nothing lasts forever and some pieces of the defense have since moved on such as Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton, and Elandon Roberts. However, even with those losses this defense is still set up to easily be a top of league due to one thing: a top notch secondary that may be one of the most talented back end units seen in a long time.
This unit will easily once again by the strength of the defense, even if their stats don’t match last year’s insane output. Last year the Pats’ defense earned the highest secondary grade in the NFL, according to PFF. Moreover, the secondary collects 25 interceptions (5 more than the 2nd place Steelers). They also allowed the fewest completions and the lowest passer rating in the NFL. All of this while playing the most aggressive form of defense with a lot of Cover 0, meaning no help over the top.
Despite that this unit has a chance to be just as good this year if not better. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore, returns and can play both inside and out. Gilmore steps up no matter who he covers, and where he lines up as evident by holding opposing quarterbacks to a 34.1 QBR and snagging four interceptions.
The Best of the Rest
Aside from Gilmore though, Belichick can also trot out J.C. Jackson. Jackson may not be a household name outside of New England, but he had an outrageously good coverage season allowing just 181 yards all season on just 19 completions. None of those completions went for touchdowns and he also collected five interceptions on 46 targets. That means about 11 percent of the targets his way were picked off. Throw in his opposing QBR allowed of just 13.3 (best in the NFL) and Jackson proved to be one of the best man coverage players in the league.
-
Ep 162: Joe Flacco, Dak Prescott and The MVP, Week 13 Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Aside from the top two corners, the Patriots also have two other starter caliber corners in Jason McCourty and Jonathan Jones. Both of whom are among the best as well. Jones is more of a slot corner, but is dominant in the slot and earned himself a nice extension this past season. Jones may be the fastest player on the Patriots and is technically very sound, erasing slot players often. While the latter was successful, the former was no slouch either. McCourty, like Jackson, also didn’t allow a single touchdown in man coverage this past season despite playing a heavy amount opposite the Defensive Player of the Year or Jackson.
Even if the list stopped now the case could be made New England had the best secondary, but they also possess an excellent free safety and a strong in the box safety. Devin McCourty is ultra versatile playing at the line or deep and is still excellent in coverage. McCourty is extremely intelligent, has fantastic closing speed, and instincts that make opposing quarterbacks question if receivers are really open or not. He also is a playmaker managing five interceptions, two forced fumbles and recovering one. He is a one man wrecking crew.
While McCourty is super versatile, Chung is also a solid part of the defense with a strong tackling ability, ability to cover tight ends and slot receivers, and very strong ability to diagnose runs and make plays on the edge. His ability to deliver big hits and stay strong taking on blocks on the edge allow Bill Belichick multiple secondary players who are strong and more importantly willing tacklers.
Those players make up a strong nucleus of what is arguably the strongest collection of secondary players of all-time. This year should be no different as the key pieces all figure to have major roles and have shown no signs of slowing down, while also having key chemistry together in what is sure to be a turbulent offseason. In a year where practice time may be at a premium, this secondary unit has a chance to capitalize on out of sync offenses and their strong connection from the past season. Both allowing them to once again continue their reign as the top unit in the league.
–David Albiani is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @david_albiani
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussionby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]
-
Ep 179: Hall of Famer Drew Pearson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 178: Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, and More With Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on November 18, 2023 at 3:00 am
Former NFL executive Joe Banner returns to the show to talk with Clark and […]
-
Ep 177: Hall of Famer Mel Blount Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 11, 2023 at 1:00 am
Former Steeler and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount joins Clark and […]
-
Reaction to College Football Playoff Rankingsby LandryFootball.com on December 3, 2023 at 8:00 pm
The College Football Playoff Committee has spoken and given us the 4 teams […]
-
A Film Room game preview breakdown of week 13 in the NFLby LandryFootball.com on December 2, 2023 at 5:00 pm
This is a great week of football. Hopefully that means a great week of […]
-
Ep 316: Week 13 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 4:08 am
-
Ep 315: Week 12 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:46 am
-
Ep 314: Week 11 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:18 am
-
Ep 313: Week 10 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 9, 2023 at 1:53 am
-
Ep 198: Week 13 vs Chiefsby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm
In this episode, co-hosts Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall are joined by Braden […]
-
Ep 197: Recapping Weeks 11 & 12by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 11:26 pm
This episode is a double-dip in a good way. Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 829by Charlie Saunier on December 3, 2023 at 9:11 am
Ep 829 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 4-3 L Vs Rangers Preview Sabres & […]
-
ROP Recap Rangers 4 Preds 3 Game 23 2023-24 NHL Seasonby Charlie Saunier on December 3, 2023 at 5:55 am
ROP Recap Rangers 4 Preds 3 Game 23 2023-24 NHL Season Learn more about […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 828by Charlie Saunier on December 1, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ep 828 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 6-1 L Vs Wild Preview Rangers & […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 12-1 - Take the 2 points and runby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Last night wasn't pretty but they found a way to win and that's what […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 12-1 - Carolina Falls 5-4 in Overtime Against the Islanders.by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Hurricanes thoroughly outshot the New York Islanders 43-16, but the […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 12-1 - Shootout loss, Maple Leafs, Marnerby Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Recapping the shootout loss to Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picksby Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFLby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
11/24 - Thanksgiving Recap, Jets/Dolphins, Week 12 Picksby Full Press Coverage on November 24, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Ian and John react to all of the action on Thanksgiving Day and look ahead […]
-
11/23 - Thanksgiving Day Preview, Tom Brady, Top 5 NFL Teamsby Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Ian and John discuss the Thanksgiving Day slate of games in the NFL, Tom […]
-
11/21- MNF Reaction, Eagles Handle Chiefs, NFL MVPby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:31 am
Ian and John react to the Eagles win over the Chiefs on Monday Night […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 162: Joe Flacco, Dak Prescott and The MVP, Week 13 Discussionby Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picksby Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
-
Warriors at Clippers - Timberwolves at Pelicans - Cavaliers at Pistons - Magic at Netsby Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Thunder at Mavericks - Trail Blazers at Jazz - Nuggets at Kings - Rockets at Lakersby Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Hawks at Bucks - Pelicans at Bulls - Pacers at Heat - Grizzlies at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Ep 193: Ayako Hamadaby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 12-1 - UFC Heavyweight Championship re-unified?by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:15 pm
-
76ers at Celtics - Spurs at Pelicans - Nuggets at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on December 1, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Chiefs at Packers - Bengals at Jaguarsby Broken Controller Media on December 1, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Wizards at Magic - Grizzlies at Mavericks - Knicks at Raptorsby Broken Controller Media on December 1, 2023 at 2:10 pm
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Review and Roman Reigns Inflated Title Streakby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he breaks down AEW Full Gear 2023. What […]
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2023 at 8:08 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again getting you ready for AEW 2023 Full Gear […]
-
Ep 193: Ayako Hamadaby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ayako Hamada has had a wide and varied career through AAA, SHIMMER, TNA, […]