Pats Pulpit
Ahead of this year’s training camp, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel explained that he was looking at his team’s performances in three distinct categories. There is the good, the bad, and, as he called it, the s—t that gets you beat.
The Patriots 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Sunday’s wild card playoff round featured a mix off all three. So, if the coach wants to look at his team through those categories, who are we to disagree? Let’s break down the postseason opener in exactly that manner.
The Patriots defense had its inconsistencies rushing the passer during the regular season, finishing 24th in the league with a pressure rate of 20.3%. You wouldn’t have known it watching the unit dismantle an overmatched Chargers O-line.
With defensive play caller Zak Kuhr dialing up the pressure, New England registered a disruption rate of 68.2% and brought quarterback Justin Herbert down on six separate occasions. One of those sacks, by outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson in the fourth quarter, resulted in a fumble and recovery by Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss.
The pass rush was only one piece of the puzzle, though. New England performed well defensively in all areas, be it stopping the run or covering what is a talented group of receivers.
“I thought they played extremely well. I thought they were committed to stopping the run,” said Mike Vrabel after the game. “What our defense was able to do early in that game, in the red zone, inside the 5-yard line or inside the 9-yard line really set the tone for them for the rest of the game. Could have been better — a lot of scrambles. We knew that. Again, trying to rush, make sure that those scramble lanes aren’t there. Secondary did a fantastic job with the play extensions, making sure that those plays didn’t get loose. Just really proud of everybody.”
As a result of New England’s defensive showing, the Chargers and their Pro Bowl quarterback were held to only 207 net yards, a gain of just 3.5 yards per play, and a combined conversion rate of 15.4% on third and fourth down. Most importantly, a field goal was all L.A. had to show for on the scoreboard.
The Patriots ended up beating the Chargers by 13 points, the largest victory over the first two days of wild card weekend. However, when looking at their possessions, it is clear they left some points on the board on the offensive side of the ball.
For starters, they ended up going 0-for-3 in the red zone. On two of those trips, kicker Andy Borregales finished the series off by adding three points each to the team’s total. The third foray into the red area ended with quarterback Drake Maye getting strip-sacked from his blindside and losing a fumble. Out of what could have been 21 points on those particular drives — points that would have blown...
