The Patriots defense stepping its game up is a major reason for New England's five-game winning streak to now be 7-4 on the year.
Over the first six games of the year, the Patriots allowed 21.2 points per game, but over the five-game win streak that number has dropped to 10 points per game.
The defense has relied on its physicality to beat up on opposing offenses.
“It’s a huge thing," edge rusher Matthew Judon said to reporters Thursday after the 25-0 win in Atlanta. "We kind of want to be a-holes on the field, but good guys off the field, and make sure we don’t get penalized. We play within the rules, but we’re a nasty group. That’s how we like to play and that’s how we gotta play in order for our team to win. We enjoy it.”
Judon had a sack in Thursday's win, which raised his total to 10.5 on the year. That's a new career-high.
“I already told y’all it’s my teammates that put me in a great position," he said. "DG (Davon Godchaux), [Christian] Barmore, Carl [Davis], LG (Lawrence Guy), they were pushing the pocket and making it hard for the quarterback to step up and I can rush the edge. They just put me in really good positions to make those plays and I when my number’s called I have to go out there [and make plays]. … I’m just one-eleventh of the defense.”
The veteran also had a great reaction when he was told he set a career-high in sacks (see below).
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