The Patriots defense has been solid for the most part to start the 2021 season, even considering the team’s 1-3 record.
New England ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in points allowed, total defense, pass defense and red zone work.
One issue the unit has had too consistently, though, is a pretty basic problem – getting 11 players on the field.
The Patriots had only 10 players competing when allowing a game-clinching touchdown against the Saints late in a Week 3 loss.
TOUCHDOWN TAYSOM 🙌#NOvsNE | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/KiFT1OdmoI
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 26, 2021
Last Sunday, in the 19-17 loss to the Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium, New England had defensive substitution issues again on a handful of occasions.
Not only did New England get flagged for having 12-men on the field, but the Patriots had to use a timeout to avoid another flag in the fourth quarter with some confusion as to whether Chase Winovich should be on the field or not.
It’s too consistent a problem for something that should be so fundamentally basic.
During a Tuesday afternoon Zoom call with the local media, Patriots safeties coach Brian Belichick, whose brother Steve Belichick is New England's primary defensive play caller, agreed with that sentiment.
“Yeah, it’s just something that’s unacceptable, obviously,” Brian Belichick said. “There is not much to say about it. I think we all know that it’s unacceptable. There’s no excuses for it to happen. And we all need to know our…who needs to be on the field regardless of the group or the situation or whatever. That’s something…everyone expects us (to get it right) for 100-percent of the plays and if it’s on 99-percent of the plays then it’s unacceptable. We just need to get it right.”
