Three keys for defense to prevail
Breaking down three keys for the Patriots’ defense in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
1. Fluster young QB
This is a Bill Belichick special. It really doesn’t matter if Drew Lock or Brett Rypien makes the start, although Lock, who is nursing a sprained throwing shoulder, is inching closer toward playing and is the likely starter.
Whether Lock or Rypien, both are young, inexperienced signalcallers. Rypien, a 2019 undrafted free agent, and the nephew of former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Mark Rypien, has one NFL start under his belt.
Lock, a 2019 second-round pick, has made seven starts. He’s missed the last two games with the shoulder injury. He was a 5050 proposition if the game had been played Monday night. But with the extra time, he’ll likely get the green light Sunday, barring a setback. He was a full participant in practice during the week.
And if he’s a go, or if Rypien ultimately gets the call, Belichick will be licking his chops.
The Patriots head coach and defensive mastermind has a history of devouring first or second-year quarterbacks. So this is right in his wheelhouse.
As we saw against the Chiefs in Week 4, Belichick can also devise plans to frustrate even the best, as Patrick Mahomes was out of sorts thanks to the Patriots dropping eight into coverage on all throwing downs.
The Broncos don’t have the same kind of receiving arsenal as the Chiefs, so that tactic might not be necessary. But it’s a sure bet Belichick will provide enough different looks and disguises to confuse Lock or Rypien, which might ultimately lead to turnovers.
2. Jam Jeudy
Whether it’s top corner Stephon Gilmore, who has a chance of returning after dealing with COVID-19, or J.C. Jackson, Belichick and his coaching staff will want to use one of them to eliminate the Broncos greatest threat. In this case, former Alabama star Jerry Jeudy will likely be the targeted player.
With Broncos star wideout Courtland Sutton (knee) done for the season, and top receiving tight end Noah Fant battling an ankle injury leaving him ques
tionable, the focus shifts to Jeudy, the 15th overall pick in the 2020 draft.
If Fant plays, the Patriots will certainly pay attention. But Belichick will also want to take care of Jeudy, who’s a home run threat. It starts with getting physical and jamming him at the line to slow the timing of his routes.
Jeudy was a 1,000-yard receiver his final two seasons at Alabama. He’s explosive, with terrific run-after-catch ability. Thus far, he has 15 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown.
Along with Jeudy, the Broncos have Tim Patrick (16 catches, 209 yards, 2 TDs) in their receivers room. Patrick also has the speed to take the top off a defense. With Jeudy and Patrick, it will be interesting to see how Belichick adjusts, pending Gilmore’s status. Between Gilmore, Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty and Joejuan Williams, Belichick has plenty to work with to handle Jeudy, Fant, Patrick, and speedster KJ Hamler if he plays.
3. Stuff the run
No doubt, the Patriots will try to make the Broncos one-dimensional, and force Lock, the likely starter, to beat them throwing the football, playing into the Patriots’ strength.
They will be aided by the fact leading rusher Melvin Gordon didn’t make the trip. While the running back was charged with a DUI on Tuesday, an illness — reportedly strep throat — forced him to stay
home.
So the Patriots dodge a bullet there. But Gordon isn’t the lone star in the running backs room. The Broncos also have Phillip Lindsay, who is another catalyst for the offense. With Gordon out, Lindsay will be the focal point.
The third-year back is expected to play after missing time with a turf toe injury.
He’ll likely carry the load. Of note, Lindsay has had a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons, the first undrafted player in league history to do so in his first two seasons.
While the Broncos are only averaging 92.5 rushing yards per game, it still behooves the Patriots to shut down Lindsay and make Lock beat them.