How the Patriots' defense can improve against the run – NBC Sports Boston

The New England Patriots' run defense was a disaster in Sunday's 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jags totaled 171 yards and two touchdowns on 39 rushing attempts. Running back Tank Bigsby did most of the damage with 26 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

When New England had six or fewer defenders in the box, Jacksonville averaged 6.6 yards per carry and four runs of 10 or more yards. In the second half, the Pats defense had no answer as the Jags ran the ball down their throats 17 times in a row.

Not ideal.

So how can the Patriots defense recover from its abysmal performance against the run? Ted Johnson, who made a living playing for New England from 1995 to 2004, shared the changes he would make The collapse.

“I would continue to try to maybe blitz to stop the run,” Johnson said. “So get people from the second level to create gaps as soon as the ball hits. Hopefully you get some traction. You can make some tackles for loss. That’s one way to maybe plan for it.”

“Another way to maybe plan it is to tilt the defensive linemen. Get them to loop, tilt them, get them moving when the ball snaps. That keeps the offensive linemen off guard and makes them hesitate a little bit. “They don't just come out and drill you. That's another matter.

“And then maybe you can change your staff too. There were times when teams would come at us in the middle of the field and Belichick would say, 'I want my goal-line defense out there.' So send all the big ones out there, challenge them to run, and see if they do.

The Patriots played without their two best run-stuffers: linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley and defensive tackle Christian Barmore. After an encouraging start to the season, their defense has offered little resistance to the run since Bentley went down with a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2.

While the Pats defense struggled to stop the run, the offense failed to force it through. In Sunday's loss, rookie quarterback Drake Maye was New England's leading rusher (18 yards) for the second straight week. The Patriots' running backs totaled 20 yards on 12 carries against Jacksonville.

The Patriots (1-6) will look to end their six-game losing streak next Sunday against the New York Jets (2-5). The matchup provides a perfect opportunity for New England's run defense to bounce back, as the Jets rank 31st in rushing yards (577).

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