The difference between early season and the last couple of games is night and day. The coaching staff is trusting the players more and thus lets them try more risky/exotic plays and for the most part they are able to handle it.
Anyone who keeps saying this is the same defense as at the start of the year is just an idiot.
Quite a “hot“ take for a re-watch caretaker..
Every unit across the league plays significantly different (and most of them better) than in September. Judging September plays in absolute terms makes little sense esp. for the outsiders (unless they are well paid). Re-watches should take this into account as well.
To me this is the
same defence that progressed naturally over the course of 9 weeks - individually, collectively and schematically. The fact that it remained relatively healthy certainly helped (while losing promising rookie Bentley hurt a bit, losing Rowe was always going to be addition by subtraction). The fact that O started to move better w additions of Sony, Jules, Gordon & ST coverage improved to decent level helped as well. And the natural growing confidence of first-time play caller probably factored too. One thing that I liked from the start and i believe helped as well are deep rotations across almost all D positions that keep players fresh and healthier.
Going by players improvement you had a few guys that started very strong - like Gilmore, Guy, KVN also DMC & Chung in their usual manners. You had guys coming back from injuries in Flowers, Brown, Hightower, JJ (also Rivers, Davis..) so they reasonably needed some time. You had uncertain positions at #2 CB, #2DL. You had Clayborn and Butler trying to adjust to new roles, ways of playing (Butler added significant lbs to be a more complete DL this year).
Now you have #2 CB & #3CB sorted out (and J-Mac doing well there, JJ solid on most parts) + JC Jackson as intriguing rotational, tactical weapon also growing up. Hightower is coming closer to his previous form allowing Roberts & KVN to play to their strengths. Clayborn started playing Pat Type DE in effective way, Flowers of course is back to full form and a bit under the radar you have M.Brown bouncing back nicely after early injury. The only significant Q remaining is Shelton. TEN game might be a chance for him and hopefully he takes it.
And as you said - with this gradual but constant improvement on all levels - the play calling can better change as well (also due to great film work of coaches and scouts - one of the reasons everyone wants to play Pats in September..)
