The rest of the Patriots (and Jets) had trouble keeping up with the Jonses.
Excuse the obvious lede, but, well, it’s true. Chandler Jones and Chris Jones were the Patriots’ leaders in the pass-rush department on Sunday against the Jets. Each player had two sacks and were able to put pressure on Smith pretty consistenly throughout the game. Chandler Jones led the way with seven total hurries, while Chris Jones trailed behind with four of his own.
The Patriots certainly were not perfect in pass coverage, but they were able to slow down Geno Smith as the game wore on. It was a down game for Rob Ninkovich from a hurry standpoint, but he also had more responsibilities at keeping Smith from getting outside the pocket.
Jamie Collins got some valuable reps as a pass rusher in the first quarter. He generated three pressures very early. The Patriots (and Jets) decided to concentrate on the run, though, which kept Collins off the field for much of the time after the first quarter. Against a more pass-oriented team, Collins could be dangerous rushing off the edge as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Check out the Patriots’ pressure stats for Week 7 below.
Chandler Jones: 2 sacks, 3 hurries, 2 QB hits
Chris Jones: 2 sacks, 1 hurry, 1 QB hit
Joe Vellano: 2 hurries, 1 QB hit
Dont’a Hightower: 2 hurries, 1 QB hit
Jamie Collins: 3 hurries
Michael Buchanan: 1 hurry, 1 QB hit
Rob Ninkovich: 2 hurries
Devin McCourty: 1 QB hit
Marquice Cole: 1 hurry
Chandler Jones is the team-leader on the season with 6 1/2 sacks (a new career high) and 41 total pressures. He’s been extremely productive playing the right defensive end spot. Ninkovich is second with 36 pressures, then the Patriots fall off until Tommy Kelly, who nursing a knee injury.
Chris Jones is quickly making his way up the list. He has 10 pressures in four games, including 3 1/2 sacks. After having Brandon Deaderick, Kyle Love and Vince Wilfork starting at defensive tackle last season, Chris Jones, Vellano and Kelly are pretty big upgrades in pass rush. Obviously none of those players are the run-stopper that Wilfork is.
Check out the season pressure stats below.
Chandler Jones: 6 1/2 sacks, 24 hurries, 10 QB hits (41 pressures)
Ninkovich: 1 sack, 28 hurries, 7 QB hits (36 pressures)
Kelly: 2 1/2 sacks, 12 hurries, 2 QB hit (17 pressures)
Buchanan: 2 sacks, 9 hurries, 3 QB hits (14 pressures)
Chris Jones: 3 1/2 sacks, 5 hurries, 1 QB hit (10 pressures)
Vellano: 1 sack, 6 hurries, 1 QB hit (8 pressures)
Hightower: 6 hurries, 2 QB hits (8 pressures)
Wilfork: 4 hurries, 1 QB hit (5 pressures)
Mayo: 1 1/2 sacks, 1 hurry, 1 QB hit (4 pressures)
Spikes: 2 hurries, 1 QB hit (3 pressures)
Collins: 3 hurries (3 pressures)
Bequette: 1 QB hit (1 pressure)
Devin McCourty: 1 QB hit (1 pressure)
Marquice Cole: 1 hurry (1 pressure)
Have a question for Doug Kyed? Send it to him via Twitter at @DougKyedNESN or send it here.
