New England Patriots: Six Stars from Week 2 vs. Bills

Defensive Front Seven

Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) tackles Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) on the goal line during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots put an emphasis on improving their defensive front seven this off season. On Sunday, their efforts paid off as their front seven was the difference when the Bills had the ball.

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The Patriots were able to get consistent pressure on Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor throughout the afternoon, and were able to shut down the Bills’ running game led by LeSean McCoy. Defensive end Chandler Jones led the way for the Patriots’ defense with three sacks in arguably his best performance of his NFL career.

Linebacker Jamie Collins was a man possessed, finishing the game with 2.5 sacks and eight tackles. Collins was a force all over the field in pass rush, against the run and in pass coverage. Collins is a star on the Patriots’ defense, and if he keeps this up, he will quickly become a house-hold name.

Speaking of making plays all over the field, inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower also had himself an impressive performance with 12 total tackles to go along with half of a sack and a quarterback. Hightower has grown into one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL, and he was a force for the Patriots’ defense on Sunday.

Defensive ends Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard also stepped in and produced in a big way. Also, defensive tackles Alan Branch, Malcom Brown and Sealver Siliga looked much better than they did in Week 1.

The Patriots’ defensive success is going to come down to the play of their defensive front seven. The unit as a whole was incredible on Sunday afternoon, and if that continues, the Patriots are going to have a great defense to go along with their clearly elite offense.

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