For the first time, they used a four-man front that included defensive ends Andre Carter and Mark Anderson and defensive tackles Brandon Deaderick and Vince Wilfork. It was a pass-rushing fit that that essentially dared the Jets to run the ball, and New York failed to adjust.
Wilfork and Carter have been the Patriots' two irreplaceable defensive linemen this season, both against the run and pass. Anderson has been used in pass-rush situations, but he hasn't been as strong against the run, which has limited his playing time. And Deaderick had only played at defensive end -- typically on the left side, opposite of Carter -- until Sunday's 37-16 victory against the Jets.
Deaderick had played well in his first two games against the Steelers and Giants, and he had been solid against the run from his spot at defensive end. However, he's smaller than most interior players, so he wasn't as strong against the run from his spot at defensive tackle against the Jets. The Patriots tried not to greatly expose themselves to the Jets' running attack by making sure Deaderick and Anderson never lined up next to one another.