The New England Patriots’ defense didn’t quite have it in their 26-20 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.
The Patriots’ defense has been one of the best in the NFL this season, but they struggled against quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets’ offense, allowing 428 yards with just one sack, one turnover and 24 first downs.
The Jets ran for 5.3 yards per carry, and the Patriots let up 285 yards through the air. Ryan Fitzpatrick picked on cornerback Leonard Johnson early and wasn’t afraid to target double teams with free safety Duron Harmon deep in coverage late.
Versatile defensive backs Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung sat out of Sunday’s loss with injuries, and linebacker Dont’a Hightower was active but limited with a knee injury.
Check out this week’s advanced stats to see how each individual defender fared against the Jets:
PASS COVERAGE
Game stats:
Leonard Johnson: 7-9, 83 yards
Duron Harmon: 2-2, 53 yards, TD
Tavon Wilson: 1-1, 48 yards
Logan Ryan: 4-7, 48 yards, TD
Jordan Richards: 3-5, 31 yards
Dont’a Hightower: 1-1, 15 yards
Malcolm Butler: 1-4, 6 yards, TD
Jamie Collins: 4-4, 4 yards
Rob Ninkovich: 1-2, 2 yards PBU
Justin Coleman: 1-4, -5 yards
— Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan had an extremely difficult matchup against Brandon Marshall. Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick likely would have been more hesitant to target Marshall deep if Devin McCourty, who was out with an ankle injury, was in the defense.
— Patriots corner Malcolm Butler fared well against Eric Decker but allowed the game-winning touchdown after individually holding him catchless through four quarters. Jets cornerback Darelle Revis was targeted twice, didn’t allow a catch and had an interception. Both are Pro Bowl selections and showed why Sunday.
— Tavon Wilson took a bad angle on Jets wideout Quincy Enunwa’s 48-yard reception in overtime.
Season stats:
PASS RUSH
Game stats:
Jabaal Sheard: sack, five hurries
Malcom Brown: QB hit, three hurries
Akiem Hicks: QB hit, three hurries
Chandler Jones: QB hit, three hurries
Dont’a Hightower: four hurries
Alan Branch: hurry
— Defensive end Jabaal Sheard continues to terrorize opposing quarterbacks, leading the team in hurries.
— Malcom Brown had his best game as a pass rusher with four pressures.
— Dont’a Hightower had a solid bounce-back game, despite a knee injury, after being quiet last week while aggravating the ailment.
Season stats:
PASS PROTECTION
Game stats:
LaAdrian Waddle: QB hit, four hurries
Marcus Cannon: two QB hits, two hurries
Cameron Fleming: two QB hits, two hurries
Shaq Mason: two QB hits
Bryan Stork: QB hit, hurry
Tre’ Jackson: two hurries
Michael Williams: sack
Tom Brady: sack
— LaAdrian Waddle was thrust into a difficult spot in his Patriots debut, playing left tackle after Sebastian Vollmer went down with a game-ending leg injury. Waddle struggled at times, but we’ll reserve too much judgement for the newcomer until he’s placed in a better situation.
— Fleming struggled after Waddle went down with a shoulder injury.
— Stork kicked over to left guard for the final 12 plays, booting Shaq Mason from the line and inserting David Andrews at center. Andrews didn’t allow a pressure.
— The Patriots have a really tough time adjusting on stunt pass rushes. Brady is typically under siege when the defense gets creative.
Season stats:
ACCURACY
Tom Brady threw nine incompletions in the Patriots’ loss, and five can be blamed on pressure let up by his offensive line. He was inaccurate on three passes, and there was miscommunication between the quarterback and tight end on his lone interception.
1. Overthrown to Rob Gronkowski on flea flicker
2. Pressured
3. Miscommunication with Rob Gronkowski on Darrelle Revis’ interception
4. Pressured
5. Pressured
6. Pressured
7. Pressured
8. Low throw to Brandon Bolden
9. Overthrown to Keshawn Martin
Thumbnail photo via Jim O’Connor/USA TODAY Sports Images
