New England’s defense did not have a North Star for most of the season. The Patriots spent months tinkering with different ideas while trying to integrate more than a dozen new players into the lineup.
But since their bye in Week 14, the Patriots have unveiled an arsenal of pass-rush tools that’s given this unit new life.
So let’s dive into all the different ways the Patriots are using their pass rush to confuse and corral opposing quarterbacks.
Spanning the full spectrum of pass-rush plans means sometimes rushing only three players. The Patriots have made great use of those calls as a changeup, particularly in the red zone.
Another element of having a deep pass-rush plan is knowing how to simulate pressure while bringing only four pass rushers. The Patriots have turned up the creativity in their simulated-pressure packages, and it’s been paying off for them big time in the postseason.
The best pressure teams also know when and how to pull out the big guns: good ol’ Cover 0.
The Patriots’ defense has some real teeth to it now. They have developed so many different pitches when it comes to their pass-rush plan, opposing quarterbacks have to be ready for anything and everything.
With an explosive offense led by Drake Maye on the other side, this defense needs only to scheme up a few key stops a game to win … and now the Patriots have proven they have all the tools to do it.