MINNEAPOLIS — Maybe the New England Patriots’ defense can be “elite” after all.
The Patriots lived up to their potential in Sunday’s 30-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but they still have room to grow.
The dominant defensive performance came against a team without its best player (running back Adrian Peterson) and with Matt Cassel at the helm, but the Patriots forced four turnovers, recorded six sacks and allowed just 217 yards.
Everyone got into the mix on defense, with interceptions from cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Logan Ryan, safety Devin McCourty and even rookie defensive tackle Dominique Easley. Edge defenders Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower brought the heat with two sacks apiece, and Rob Ninkovich and cornerback Kyle Arrington also recorded sacks.
The Patriots might not always limit their opponents to 3.9 yards per pass attempt or 2.8 yards per carry, but they’ll bring pressure and force turnovers.
“That’s our No. 1 identity, just make turnovers and play aggressive,” Revis said Sunday after the Patriots’ win.
The Patriots’ defense became predictable last year. Opposing offenses knew where Jones and Ninkovich were coming from and that they were the only players to fear in pass rush. The Patriots only blitzed a moderate amount, stayed in their four-man front and tried to win on technique and fundamentals.
The Patriots swung too far the other way last week against the Miami Dolphins, switching up alignments on nearly every play. They were sending three players on one play and five the next, usually in a three-man front.
Head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia found their stride against the Vikings, however, and learned to rely on their defense’s talent — and they have plenty. Revis, McCourty, linebacker Jerod Mayo and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork are former first-round draft picks and All-Pros. Hightower, Easley and Jones are former first-round picks and possibly future Pro Bowlers. Ninkovich and Ryan are proven, consistent playmakers.
If Belichick allows those players to play to their strengths and put them in a position to succeed, they likely will, even against premier players.
Ryan proved he fits in the Patriots’ turnover-friendly defense last season, when he hauled in five interceptions, and he got the opportunity to prove it Sunday against Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Ryan followed Patterson around the field, while Revis tracked Greg Jennings and Arrington covered Jarius Wright.
Ryan allowed just three receptions for 39 yards to Patterson and picked off a fourth target. The Patriots talked up Patterson all week, then limited him to 56 yards on offense and 23 yards on kick returns.
The Patriots can continue to build their confidence next week against the Oakland Raiders at home before their real schedule starts. Proving they can make big plays, force turnovers and pressure the quarterback is good against any team, even if they’re hapless like the Vikings were on Sunday, and that should carry over when they’re facing teams like the Indianpolis Colts or Denver Broncos later in the season.
