The New England Patriots have a great defense, but many people had no idea it was this good.
The Patriots delivered their best defensive performance of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, limiting the Chargers to just three points and 207 yards of total offense. It was the fewest points and third-fewest yards New England has allowed all season, and it came against one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, no less.
It was a masterclass by Patriots defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr, who did a great job disguising coverages, covering Los Angeles’ receivers and pressuring Herbert, keeping him off balance all night long.
No wonder Herbert struggled, completing just 19 of his 31 passes for 159 yards and no touchdowns. He was also sacked six times and clearly had issues deciphering New England’s defense.
He isn’t the only one, either. After reviewing the Patriots’ defensive tape, NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky admitted he often had no idea what he was looking at.
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“When I watch the @Patriots defensive tape: I have absolutely no idea what coverage they’re in 80% of the snaps (I say that in a respectful way),” Orlovsky shared on X on Monday. “The coverage is so cloudy and muddy and confusing. I find it almost impossible as a QB to play with clarity of what they’re doing or what they’re in.”
Orlovsky played seven seasons in the NFL, so that means a lot coming from him.
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Kuhr will try to create a similar level of chaos and confusion for C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans this weekend.
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
