The Patriots defensive scheme is a master at creating pressure without blitzing. No, I am not talking about simulated pressure, as I have talked about in previous posts. An effective pass rush plan doesn’t always mean sacks. Sometimes it can be a balanced rush that keeps the quarterback in the pocket and prevents him from extending plays.
The Belichick scheme loves using an odd front on third down, and walking up two linebackers as potential blitzers. This will create a 5 on 5 against the offensive line. With Belichick playing man coverage on most third downs, there is a potential for added rushers if the running back or tight end stays in to pass protect. A linebacker and a safety, the two defenders covering the back and tight end, will blitz if their man stays in the help in the protection.
The way this scheme gets pressure is by using games up front. There are different types of stunts and twists that confuse offensive lineman, and get pressure on the quarterback. Sometimes, Belichick will use stunts simply to contain a mobile quarterback, such as Pat Mahomes or Deshaun Watson.
Belichick and his former assistants, such as Brian Flores and Matt Patricia, like to play man coverage and have at least one safety free to play the deep middle or be a robber in the middle of the field. Let’s do the math. If there are 5 receivers, you need 5 defenders to cover them, plus a safety helping. So that is 6 defenders at minimum. Belichick uses those 5 defenders to rush the quarterback. Sometimes he will only rush 3, when he wants to double two receivers, and still have a safety over the top. That makes 8 defenders in coverage. When you run this type of defense, you have to use the few rushers you have available efficiently.
In 2019, Belichick had a superior secondary, maybe the best he’s ever had in his two decades with the patriots. He had an elite cover corner in Stephon Gilmore. They also had 3 corners who are starting caliber corners in the NFL. Not to mention a safety in Devin McCourty who is incredibly smart, as well as another safety in Pat Chung who can cover tight ends 1 on 1. A great secondary made Belichick comfortable bringing 0 pressures, without a safety deep. He trusted his secondary to win 1 on 1, so he was able to blitz 6 or 7 and make the quarterback get rid of the ball immediately.
The first example comes from week 4 vs the Bills. The Patriots line up with 5 defenders across the line of scrimmage, with only 1 down lineman.
The Patriots are facing a quarterback in Josh Allen that is extremely dangerous when he is able to escape. He possesses incredible arm strength that allows him to make throws to any part of the field. Allen is also one of the fastest quarterbacks in the NFL and can make people miss in space. Allen is not very accurate and can’t beat a good defense by making throws from the pocket. That is why Belichick placed an emphasis on containing Allen because it was the key to victory, albeit a narrow one 17-16.
The stunt by #55 John Simon and #58 Jamie Collins works perfectly to contain Allen. On third down and 9, Allen is trying to make a play. When he sees the outside rusher Simon go inside, he immediately looks to escape the pocket to his right. Collins, initially lined up over the b gap, rushes to contain outside and surprises Allen. Allen tries to evade him, and tries to buy more time. He eventually runs out of timed Collins catches up to him for the sack.
Going back to the 2018 championship game against the Chiefs, the Patriots used a lot of the odd front with two linebackers mugged over the B gaps. They wanted to create 1 on 1s with the chiefs 5 offensive lineman, who struggle when isolated.
The Chiefs will make a 50 call up front, which means that their 5 o-lineman will be responsible for the patriots’ 5 across. The nose stunts to the right A gap and #54 Hightower will stunt to the left A gap. Butler occupies the center, while Hightower will get the Right guard to block him. Van Not will then loop around to the opposite B gap and come through unblocked. By lopping Van Noy 4 gaps over, there is no way the Chiefs can block him, other than with a running back. The running back releases because he was responsible for #23 Chung in pass pro and Chung did not blitz.
The Patriots scheme not only shows how defenses can get pressure on a quarterback, but also contain him. While they relied more on straight up cover 0 blitzes in 2019, the odd front with games package for the Patriots has been successful for years.
Talkin Ball 