The New England Patriots put aside a slow start to rack up another easy win, 33-7, over the Washington Redskins on the road. Here are the grades for the Patriots defense.
Defensive Line
The Patriots’ defensive dominance continued on Sunday.
Danny Shelton had a dominating sack early, and Michael Bennett added a share of one later for a New England defense that allowed just 220 total yards of defense and produced six sacks.
As always, New England showed multiple defensive fronts along the line. Deatrich Wise even got some play as a defensive end in New England’s 3-4 formation.
The team allowed 145 rushing yards, but most of that came on a 65-yard reverse touchdown by Steven Sims.
Adrian Peterson was held to just 18 yards on seven carries, with much help from this group.
Grade: A-
Linebacker
If recent game’s belonged to Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy, then this day belonged to Dont’a Hightower.
Hightower tallied a sack and a half, and four tackles for a loss in a day that saw him in Washington’s backfield all game. He was a menace. As if Bill Belichick’s linebacking core couldn’t get any scarier.
Of course, Collins was effective again, adding a sack. And Chase Winovhich was often in the face of Colt McCoy, registering a sack and a few pressures as a stand-up rusher.
Ja’Whaun Bentley also added a nice hit on an attempted screen pass by Washington, for a big loss.
Grade: A
Defensive Back
With the exception of an embarrassing tackle attempt by Devin McCourty on Washington’s lone scoring play, this unit was solid once more.
Luckily, Devin’s brother, Jason, made it five games in a row in which a McCourty has notched an interception. Jason did also whiff, right after his brother Devin’s tackle attempt, on Washington’s touchdown.
And despite allowing a few plays downfield, Stephon Gilmore and others held Redskins rookie sensation Terry McLaurin to just 51 yards and three catches on seven targets.
Grade: A-
