The New England Patriots threw everything, the kitchen sink, into the Baltimore Ravens offensive in their Week 10 victory.
With the Patriots lacking intensity in the backing up, it’s been too shocking if they used the kitchen sink to fill the corridors hurried on Sunday night.
But seriously, the Patriots deployed Chase Winovich and John Simon, the most sensitive defenders, in the roles of ballless supporters, wandering the defense. Rookie Kyle Dugger also started for the first time in his NFL career and ended up betting more than 80% of games. defensive shots.
It’s effective. The Patriots, who lost to seven issues in Sunday’s game, won 23-17.
“I said that: I’m a football player looking for opportunities to help the team win in every way possible,” Winovich said after the game. “Actually, it was a laughing game for many reasons, however, gambling. “the ball back was something I really enjoyed. I consider myself a pretty flexible football player. In fact, I’m grateful to my coaches for giving me the opportunity to expand my role. Secondly, thanks to my teammates. Ja’Whaun Bentley, Terez Hall, John Simon and most notably (external supporters coach) Steve Belichick for the cover, simply helping me steer my brain and get my keys, and (the trainer of internal supporters) Jerod (May), in particular, with changes in the game. I can thank each and every one of them, but I did enough. Thank you to my teammates and coaches for helping me prepare for this game. It was a wonderful team win and really pleased to be here.
As Week 10 approached, Winovich had played just 24 shots from the defensive line in his NFL career, through PFF. He played 19 off-the-ball linebacker shots Sunday night as the Patriots played a 3-3 defensive lineup with Winovich, Simon. and Terez Hall as linebackers.
“I’ve never played a game so far from the ball since the best school,” Winovich said. “If you go back and look at my best-school tape, I felt like I was betting ball at the best school somehow. an explosion. I just like to be in a position where I can go on and play physically, so when I’m in a position like this, it allows me to get the most out of some of my attributes. Just being able to attack and get off the edge and penetrate and make quick decisions and use my instincts. It was a pleasure to laugh — and move on to the cover, which was also great. “
Winovich finished the game with seven tackles and pressures on his expanded role. He played 65 defensive shots, almost every game, on Sunday night, through PFF. Just two weeks after betting five shots opposed to the Buffalo Bills. Right.
“It’s a beast, ” said goalkeeper Adrian Phillips on Sunday night. “He’s one of those other people who likes to: see the ball, hit the ball. That’s exactly what he did tonight. He’s a very lively guy and he’s going to bring 110% effort. That’s exactly what he did. It worked well for us because it just sank freely into the ball and could play. And when you have a guy so he can rush the smuggler and run down the alley and chase other people, it’s complicated for the offensive line because they don’t know where he’s going to be. “
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised Winovich’s efforts in practice while the Patriots were ready for the Ravens. The Patriots left 115 yards on the court in 28 hauls to a team that averaged 170 yards consistent with the game and 5. 1 yards consistent with the run before Week 10.
“I think Chase had a week of smart training,” Belichick said. “And he did a clever task, in his role, which, when you play against the Ravens, you have to play a smart team defense. they don’t stop what he’s doing. They have too many functions in the running game and create too many; they can solve too many problems at the same time in an individual game. But Chase had a wonderful week of preparation and played hard and we’re going to see what the movie looked like, however, it was definitely competitive and I think he did a smart job in the role we asked him to play. He and John Simon were key guys for us with the defensive line to see in managing the ground game.
The Patriots are a defensive game plan, so even though Winovich thrived in another position on Sunday night, that doesn’t mean he’ll play the same role next week against the Houston Texans. But it’s really remarkable that Winovich showed versatility in a key victory.