{"id":96695,"date":"2022-01-04T21:54:02","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T02:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695"},"modified":"2022-01-04T21:54:02","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T02:54:02","slug":"patriots-notebook-pats-defense-needs-to-stick-with-zone-coverage-formula-in-the-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots\u2019 get-right win over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Blowing out a team of Jacksonville\u2019s caliber isn\u2019t the end goal for Bill Belichick\u2019s team. Still, New England hopefully can use good processes to yield results as the competition stiffens in January.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although we echoed our concerns about the Patriots&#8217; offense replicating its 50-point outburst come playoff time, defensively, the Pats played with a replicable coverage formula.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As we\u2019ve said since trading Stephon Gilmore and top slot corner Jonathan Jones landed on injured reserve, New England\u2019s current personnel lends itself to being a better zone coverage defense than man coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Belichick is notoriously known for playing more man coverage than any defensive architect in the NFL, and the Pats are once again among the league leaders in cover-one man frequency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, their secondary this season thrives on disguise, versatile DBs who can handle various high-stress zone responsibilities, and ball-hawking by their top coverage players.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the Buffalo loss two weeks ago as the most recent example, exposing this group of defensive backs to too much man coverage doesn\u2019t often end well for the Pats defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instead, they\u2019re much better off trying to limit a group of quarterbacks in the AFC playoffs who are known for being aggressive downfield by spinning the zone coverage dial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In their win over the Jags last week, the Pats were in zone coverage on 58% of their coverage snaps, and two out of their three interceptions were the result of post-snap zone rotations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-1\" width=\"788\" height=\"445\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BryantINT.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BryantINT.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BryantINT.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On Myles Bryant\u2019s second-quarter interception, safeties Devin McCourty and Kyle Dugger showed rookie Trevor Lawrence a two-high safety shell before the snap. But the call is cover three \u201cbuzz,\u201d which allows the defense to disguise a three-deep zone. After the snap, Dugger rotates into the crosser window as the \u201cbuzz\u201d defender. Dugger\u2019s rotation forces Lawrence to come off his downfield options to the check down in the flat. The ball bounced off running back Ryquell Armstead\u2019s hands and into Bryant\u2019s lap for the interception. Still, even if Armstead catches the pass, Bryant is screaming down to make the tackle for a minimal gain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Pats dialed up an even more \u201cexotic\u201d rotation on Kyle Dugger\u2019s interception on third down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-2\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DuggerINT-1.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DuggerINT-1.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DuggerINT-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They started in a two-high shell and called a \u201cdouble buzz\u201d scheme, where Dugger and Adrian Phillips rotate down into robber zones while McCourty rotates back to the post. Lawrence never sees Dugger rotate into the deep curl window, and the Pats safety jumps the route for a pick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although they\u2019ll face more experienced quarterbacks with better talent around them in the playoffs, leaning on zone structures has worked for the Patriots&#8217; defense all season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-96700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PatsInZone-300x140.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"711\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PatsInZone-300x140.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PatsInZone-150x70.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PatsInZone-450x210.png 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/PatsInZone.png 579w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to Sports Info Solutions, the Pats have intercepted 11 passes to only four touchdowns allowed in zone coverage this season and are tied for second-best in expected points added per play allowed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England might not have the cover talent to match up one-on-one against the high-powered offenses in the AFC as they have in past years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But, as always, the Patriots will adapt to their strengths and put players in positions to succeed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If that\u2019s the case, expect New England to use their zone coverage formula come playoff time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Without further ado, let\u2019s empty the notebook with the rest of our film notes from Week 17:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1. Patriots Safety Kyle Dugger is Making the Leap\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the two interceptions above as evidence, Dugger plays a massive role in the Patriots\u2019 secondary as the latest Belichick chess piece at hybrid safety. He can do it all from robber\/buzz assignments, split-safety zone, post-safety zone, man coverage on tight ends, and run support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-3\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DuggerStop-1.mp4?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DuggerStop-1.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DuggerStop-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Along with his involvement on the two picks, his stick in the hole on Jags running back Dare Ogunbowale popped off the tape. The Jags are running a split-zone scheme and set up the cutback well, getting hat-on-hat backside with the tight end coming across to kick out Van Noy. Ogunbowale\u2019s job is to beat Dugger, the lone unblocked defender coming from depth as a split-safety player. Dugger fills his gap, doesn\u2019t overpursue inside, and makes the play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If Dugger whiffs on the tackle, Ogunbowale is running for a while but gains four yards instead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Pats\u2019 second-year safety is noticeably improving in every area of his game this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2. More Chase Winovich &amp; Josh Uche in the Playoffs?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Due to Matthew Judon\u2019s bout with the coronavirus last week, New England\u2019s top pass-rusher only played 11 snaps on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Judon\u2019s absence presented an opportunity for Chase Winovich to play his most defensive snaps (21) since Week 4 and Josh Uche was also on the field for 40% of the Patriots\u2019 defensive plays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although Judon will rightfully take back his playing time, Winovich and Uche brought some juice to the Pats\u2019 pass rush after a lackluster performance against Buffalo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At this stage of their careers, the youngsters are more explosive pass-rushers than the older vets outside of Judon in the linebacker\/EDGE group (Hightower, Van Noy, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-4\" width=\"788\" height=\"440\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BarmoreSack-1.mp4?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BarmoreSack-1.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BarmoreSack-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For example, Christian Barmore\u2019s sack came in tandem with Winovich on a T\/E stunt. Barmore splits the right guard and tackle to penetrate the line of scrimmage. As Winovich wraps around, the right guard comes off Barmore to pick up Wino, freeing up the Pats\u2019 rookie to muscle through to the quarterback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Pats prioritize setting the edge and containing quarterbacks in the pocket with their outside linebackers, which is the football explanation as to why Winovich and Uche were phased out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But their potential matchups on Wild Card weekend all feature athletic QBs who will shred defenses if they\u2019re given time in and out of the pocket to make plays (Allen, Burrow, Mahomes).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although rush discipline is critical for Belichick, they might need the added play speed from Winovich and Uche.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3. Pats CB J.C. Jackson With Teach Tape on Playing to Leverage\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We often talk about Patriots\u2019 defensive backs playing to their leverage in man coverage or relying on help defenders in the middle of the field to position themselves properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-5\" width=\"788\" height=\"459\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JCRZThirdDown.mp4?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JCRZThirdDown.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JCRZThirdDown.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pats cornerback J.C. Jackson gave us some teach tape to show you how to perfectly play to his outside leverage on the red-zone third down play above. Jackson has outside leverage on Marvin Jones, knowing that he has help from Devin McCourty to the middle of the field, so he stays on Jones\u2019 outside hip. When Jones breaks on the corner route, Jackson smothers him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England\u2019s entire man coverage system is predicated on primary defenders using proper leverage and help defenders supporting those DBs in man coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There were too many breakdowns in that area for the Patriots against the Bills. But Jackson, Jalen Mills, and McCourty, in particular, were on their game when the Pats played man coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">4. Running Behind the NE Wall on the Goal Line (Brown, Mason, and Onwenu)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Running behind a right side that features Trent Brown, Shaq Mason, and Mike Onwenu is completely unfair regardless of opponent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And it\u2019s not a surprise that the Patriots have the fifth-highest success rate in power situations, according to Football Outsiders (third and fourth down\/goal line with less than two yards to go).<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-6\" width=\"788\" height=\"440\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GoalLineTD.mp4?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GoalLineTD.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GoalLineTD.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, the Pats block outside zone lead on the goal line, and check out the combo platter from Brown and Mason on #95. Mason walks Roy Robertson-Harris nearly onto the painted logo while Brown bumps and climbs to Myles Jack to run the Jags\u2019 linebacker out of the hole. Plus, Onwenu gets the stalemate on the one-on-one against the DE and Andrews cuts down the shaded nose tackle. Nearly unstoppable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England\u2019s 14 rushing touchdowns from inside the opponents&#8217; five-yard line are tied for the second-most in the NFL this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5. Pats TE Jonnu Smith\u2019s Best Blocking Game of the Season?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although Pro Football Focus disagrees with our assessment, Smith made some of his best blocks at the point of attack we\u2019ve seen from him all season on Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-96695-7\" width=\"788\" height=\"447\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JonnuBlocks.mp4?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JonnuBlocks.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/JonnuBlocks.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The best block came on the crack toss to Rhamondre Stevenson, where everyone highlighted Trent Brown pulling out in front in space, which was awesome. But Jonnu gets the play started by keeping his feet moving to wall off Jihad Ward so Stevenson can get the edge. In the next play, Smith combos up to Jack in outside zone and gets a nice piece of the Jags\u2019 linebacker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">PFF gave Smith a mediocre 50.2 blocking grade, but we felt he was better than that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We all want to see Smith break out in the passing game. However, sometimes getting going in one phase sparks other areas of your game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Patriots\u2019 get-right win over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0 Blowing out a team of Jacksonville\u2019s caliber isn\u2019t the end goal for Bill Belichick\u2019s team. Still, New England hopefully can use good processes to yield results as the competition stiffens in January. Although we echoed our concerns about<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":131993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[207,371,210],"class_list":["post-96695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-bill-belichick","tag-jaguars","tag-patriots"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs - CLNS Media<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs - CLNS Media\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CLNS Media\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CLNSmedia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-01-05T02:54:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/KyleDugger.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1825\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Evan Lazar\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/KyleDugger.jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@clnsmedia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@clnsmedia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Evan Lazar\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Evan Lazar\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17\"},\"headline\":\"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-01-05T02:54:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695\"},\"wordCount\":1559,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Bill Belichick\",\"jaguars\",\"Patriots\"],\"articleSection\":[\"NFL\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695\",\"name\":\"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs - CLNS Media\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-01-05T02:54:02+00:00\",\"description\":\"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"width\":3006,\"height\":1692},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=96695#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"CLNS Media\",\"description\":\"Covering Boston Sports Since 2009\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"CLNS Media Company\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/clns.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/clns.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"CLNS Media Company\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/CLNSmedia\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/clnsmedia\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/clnsmedia\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCTNMXdUDhy_ivZkhbsQ_7ZA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17\",\"name\":\"Evan Lazar\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg\",\"caption\":\"Evan Lazar\"},\"description\":\"Evan Lazar is the New England Patriots beat reporter for CLNS Media.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?author=4\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs - CLNS Media","description":"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs - CLNS Media","og_description":"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695","og_site_name":"CLNS Media","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CLNSmedia\/","article_published_time":"2022-01-05T02:54:02+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1825,"url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/KyleDugger.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Evan Lazar","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_description":"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0","twitter_image":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/KyleDugger.jpeg","twitter_creator":"@clnsmedia","twitter_site":"@clnsmedia","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Evan Lazar","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695"},"author":{"name":"Evan Lazar","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/person\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17"},"headline":"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs","datePublished":"2022-01-05T02:54:02+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695"},"wordCount":1559,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","keywords":["Bill Belichick","jaguars","Patriots"],"articleSection":["NFL"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695","name":"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs - CLNS Media","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","datePublished":"2022-01-05T02:54:02+00:00","description":"The Patriots\u2019 get-right blowout victory over the Jaguars was all about laying a foundation for a postseason run.\u00a0","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","width":3006,"height":1692},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=96695#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patriots Notebook: Pats Defense Needs to Stick With Zone Coverage Formula in the Playoffs"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/","name":"CLNS Media","description":"Covering Boston Sports Since 2009","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#organization","name":"CLNS Media Company","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/clns.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/clns.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"CLNS Media Company"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CLNSmedia\/","https:\/\/x.com\/clnsmedia","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/clnsmedia\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCTNMXdUDhy_ivZkhbsQ_7ZA"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/person\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17","name":"Evan Lazar","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg","caption":"Evan Lazar"},"description":"Evan Lazar is the New England Patriots beat reporter for CLNS Media.","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?author=4"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=96695"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":96748,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96695\/revisions\/96748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/131993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=96695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=96695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=96695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}