{"id":97247,"date":"2022-01-11T21:40:22","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T02:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=97247"},"modified":"2022-01-12T18:31:56","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T23:31:56","slug":"lazar-the-patriots-need-their-front-seven-to-return-to-form-in-the-postseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=97247","title":{"rendered":"Lazar: the Patriots Need Their Front Seven to Return to Form in the Postseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Patriots’ defense was rolling, their newly-built front seven was wreaking havoc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Free-agent addition Matthew Judon made the Pro Bowl thanks to 12.5 sacks in his first 13 games as a Patriot, leading a pass rush that finished the season ninth in pressure rate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rookie Christian Barmore, who was consistently productive even when the rest of the defense struggled, was a home run draft pick by Bill Belichick in the second round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Newcomer Davon Godchaux and steady vet Lawrence Guy were doing the dirty work in the trenches, while Belichick\u2019s thumpers at linebacker were plugging gaps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the cracks in the armor started to show with New England\u2019s loss in Week 15 to the Colts, which started a limp down the finish line of three losses in their final four contests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots’ defense, starting with their star players in the front seven that got them to the playoffs, is developing some bad habits that need immediate correction over the last month.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor first exposed their run defense in mid-December. Then, the Pats let Bills quarterback Josh Allen run around Gillette Stadium in a loss that ultimately cost them the AFC East and capped off their season by Miami\u2019s 195 rushing yards in Week 18 (plus, two first-down scrambles by Tua Tagovailoa on third downs).<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, outside of Barmore, impactful pressure on opposing quarterbacks has dwindled, and Judon hasn\u2019t registered a sack or a quarterback hit in the Patriots\u2019 last four games.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The typically stout and gap-sound Patriots are allowing opponents to push them around, and if New England is going to make a playoff run this season, that needs to change in a hurry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

STRUGGLES CONTAINING QUARTERBACKS IN THE POCKET\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start with the Patriots\u2019 issues containing quarterbacks, especially on critical third downs, which must be driving Belichick absolutely nuts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pats\u2019 head coach has strict rules about keeping the QB inside the pocket and \u201cstaying level\u201d with the quarterback when you\u2019re rushing the passer off the edge.<\/span><\/p>\n

During a press conference in 2018, Belichick very emphatically told reporters, \u201cfundamentally, what are you going to do behind the quarterback?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Belichick\u2019s coaching points to pass rushers led to an amusing exchange between current Pats linebacker Kyle Van Noy and former DE Chris Long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

.@man_dammn<\/a> has been a terror all season for the @Patriots<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Kyle talks about the importance of getting into a rhythm as a pass rusher and the key to Matthew's success this season. @JOEL9ONE<\/a> | @KVN_03<\/a> | @WynnBET<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2bHj2chUpi<\/a><\/p>\n

— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) December 9, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n