I rewatched the game and we did a decent job stopping the run early in the game when we committed to it. We started what looked like a 3-4 to start the game with Guy/Davis/Godchaux upfront and Van Noy and Judon as the olbs. Very effective and then we changed it up with mixed results. We knew they were going to run but we clearly underestimated their commitment to running. The majority of their big runs came on 3rd&4+ when we clearly expected a pass. Our defense would go to a whole new level if we had a lb that could tackle the way Mayo could. Hightower and Bentley are okay but both of them leave a little to be desired.
No. The Patriots didn't underestimate anything. They WANTED Tennessee to run the ball. They wanted to take the ball out of Tannehill's hands. After Tannehill started 7-7, that was clear. The Pats felt that their lighter package would give up some stuff, but once Tenn got inside the RedZone, the Pats RedZone package would shut them down.. And it did. Tannehill finished the game 4-14 including a Red Zone interception.
That one long td run they had really showcased McCourty's decline this season. He makes that tackle 100% of the time any other season. This game and the one against Houston concerns me. Between McCourty and Chung over years, I'm just not used to missed tackles that lead to those long runs. We've been spoiled.
Go back and rewatch that play.
On the Snap, Judon and Wise rush as does Barmore, who gets turned and tied up with Jones. Judon draws a double-team with the RT and TE. The RG moves forward looking to engage Van Noy. Dugger kinda stands there, frozen, not sure what to do since his assignment is the TE.
The LG engages and HOLDS Hightower. Phillips, instead of staying where he was, decides to crash down. DMac has slid over to help with the two receivers on that side. By the time that Dugger sees Hilliard with the ball, he has no chance to get through the gap to make a stop.. Meanwhile, Phillips is crashing down, taking away the Left side B Gap, but pulls up short, taking himself out of position. The problem is that there is no one in the center because both KVN and HT are engaged with HT being HELD and turned so that he's actually in Phillips way. Dugger, on the other side, has the RG and KVN in his way so he can't get to the A Gap either. At this point, none of Jackson, Bryant or Mills have realized that it's a RUNNING play. Dmac may not have noticed either (can't tell with the angle on the replay on NFL.COM). Hilliard makes a CUT to his right away from Phillips and towards the gap between the two Guards. Phillips reacts too late and is now out of position and unable to cut towards the center of the field because of HT being held by the LG. On the far side, Dugger tries to get across the back side of the right guard but can't before Hilliard is by him. It's only NOW that Mills and Bryant see that it's a run play, but they are 20 yards away. DMac finally comes into the picture and comes to a stop with Hilliard still 10 yards away.. Hilliard is by Phillips, Dugger, Hightower and KVN by this point. Because DMAC came to a full stop, he's unable to get his momentum changed to mimic Hilliard, essentially taking himself out of the play, but he gives it his best effort. Jackson was covering Hollister. Hollister makes a move outside, but then goes inside on Jackson and was able to prevent Jackson from getting into position to make a play, not once, but twice.
If HT isn't held, he makes that play 10/10. If Phillips doesn't crash down as hard as he did, he gives himself the room to be able to cut. If Dugger recognizes that the TE is doing more than just chipping Judon, he can crash in behind the RG earlier, takingaway the A Gap and likely stopping the play entirely. Or he causes Hilliard to cut to the outside and right into Phillips.
It was excellently designed play in that it the Titans receivers on the Right Side got the Pats corners turned away from the play. And on the Left side, Hollister's move allowed him to box out Jackson.
I'm going to disagree with the assessment that this play showed DMac has lost a step. I think it was more a case that DMac just didn't realize Hilliard's speed/agility and couldn't compensate for it accordingly.
