The New England Patriots’ pass rush hasn’t lit up the stat sheet this season, but that could change Sunday when the Pats take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Patriots enter Week 6 with just nine sacks on the year — tied for 23rd in the NFL. That said, they’ve still applied pressure. The team has 32 defensive hurries, which is good enough for fifth in the league.
The Patriots have made quarterbacks uncomfortable in the pocket, and the good news for them is that the Bengals haven’t been very good at protecting Andy Dalton. He’s been sacked 17 times this season — the second-highest mark in the league.
Based on this logic, it won’t be a surprise to see the Patriots’ pass rush go off this week.
But despite Dalton’s sack total, the Patriots understand that he’s been a big reason why the Bengals have been consistent contenders over the last several years.
“(He’s) been a mainstay and (a reason) why they’ve been successful over the last couple of years,” Patriots safety Devin McCourty said Wednesday. “Being able to win so many games is because of a quarterback like him playing at a high level. We have to be ready for that.”
NESN.com’s Michaela Vernava has more about the Patriots’ preparation against the Bengals in the video above.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
