Determined Defense: Patriots Defensive Play of the Week

[mascho]

http://central.sonsofsamhorn.net/nfl/determined-defense-patriots-defensive-play-of-the-week/

 

[Reverend]

Indeed:
 

Down ten points, 17-7, on the 6th play of a drive that has covered 16 yards, the Vikings run into a critical 3rd-down situation on their own 41-yard line with 6:40 left in the 2nd quarter. The Vikings are lined up in the shotgun with a single back, Matt Asiata, positioned to quarterback Matt Cassel’s left. They have three wide receivers in trips to the left side of the line, while tight end Kyle Rudolph sets up on the right. The Patriots respond with a 4-2 nickel package. Receiver Greg Jennings comes in motion and the Patriots zone coverage shifts. Prior to the snap, Jerod Mayo (#51) backpedals about 15 yards into a deep Tampa 2-style zone coverage. At the snap Rob Ninkovich jams Rudolph, hands him off to the linebackers, and the Patriots employ a four-man rush with Ninkovich, Dominique Easley, Chris Jones, and Chandler Jones. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower then picks up Rudolph, while  cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Logan Ryan both pass off their receivers to the safeties, Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty.
 

 

[dynomite]

Definitely sweet. Thanks for picking an unheralded play that exemplified the day.

Interceptions are important, as are sacks, obviously. But it's these routine plays -- play recognition and reaction, technique to disrupt timing -- that good defenses can (and need to) consistently execute.