Moves New England Patriots Should Make to Fix Ailing Defense

The New England Patriots escaped Week 6 with a win over the New York Jets. This was huge, as it moved New England to 4-2 and kept the team atop the AFC East standings. However, it was another ugly win, and the Patriots could have easily lost it.

Had the Patriots not been on the right side of the questionable fumble call involving Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the end of the game could have gone differently.

The reality is that the Patriots had to mount a comeback before they could even take a second-half lead. The Jets dominated in almost every way in the first half, but a few New York mistakes allowed Tom Brady and Co. to tie things up just before halftime.

This is concerning because the Jets are solid but nothing spectacular. They certainly don't have the best offense in the NFL, and they racked up 408 yards of offense against New England. With teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers coming up, the Patriots have to figure out how to make defensive improvements and fast.

What can New England do to start turning things around on the defensive side of the ball heading into Week 7? Let's take a look.

Keep Things Simple on Defense

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The Patriots have allowed far too many long plays to opposing offenses this season. A lot of that has been because of communication issues in the back seven of the defense.

Defensive backs and linebackers have consistently been out of position in 2017. Newcomers like Stephon Gilmore have blown coverages, and linebackers have struggled to properly set the edge and contain running backs.

New England has tried simplifying its defensive scheme in order to eliminate these blown plays.

"We've simplified," safety Duron Harmon said after the Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers, per Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com. "Can't get no more simpler than what we're doing. Like I said, we just have to really take a look in the mirror."

The Patriots certainly haven't been great defensively over the past two weeks, but the long plays have been more of a rarity. Simplification has led to a bend-but-don't-break style of defense that has allowed just 33 points over the past two weeks.

New England needs to keep things simple moving forward—at least until the defense proves it can handle a more complicated scheme.

Play More Man Defense

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This goes hand-in-hand with simplifying the defense, but the Patriots really need to allow cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore to lock up with receivers one-on-one on a more consistent basis.

Gilmore didn't play in Week 6 because of a concussion, but he has struggled to adapt to New England's defensive system in the weeks prior. Part of the issue has been the fact New England utilizes a lot of zone coverages, while Gilmore is more of a man corner.

New England played a lot more man defense last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the unit took a step forward. Gilmore and Butler were able to focus on their individual assignments—Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, respectively—and eliminate potential mistakes in zone transition.

"I think it really helped settled the game plan down, knowing we've got Steph on Evans, Malcolm on Jackson," safety Devin McCourty said, per Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today.

This needs to be the plan moving forward, especially with talented wideouts like Julio Jones and Keenan Allen on the upcoming slate.

Get Physical in Coverage

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While focusing more on man coverage, the Patriots should also make sure to get physical in pass coverage, specifically at the line of scrimmage.

While Gilmore isn't an overly physical pass-defender, guys like Butler, Eric Rowe and Patrick Chung are. Utilizing them to jam and press off the line can help prevent guys from getting open deep downfield and allow back-end defenders like safety Devin McCourty more opportunities to get in position to make plays.

Manning up and getting physical with tight ends could also help limit plays from the position, which has been an issue to this point. Seferian-Jenkins caught eight passes for 46 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Cameron Brate caught five passes for 68 yards and a score in Week 5.

The Patriots may want to utilize a bend-but-don't-break defense moving forward, but they cannot be soft in coverage.

Blitz the Quarterback More

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Pressuring the quarterback has been an issue for the Patriots dating back to last season. In 2016, New England ranked 16th in the NFL with just 34 sacks. Through six games, the Patriots have 14 sacks this season.

This is a batter sack rate than in 2016, but not by much.

Part of the problem is that the Patriots don't have a premier pass-rusher. In New England's 4-3 base defense, pressure is supposed to come from the defensive-end position. However, ends Trey Flowers and Deatrich Wise have combined for just 6.5 sacks through six games.

While bringing extra guys can leave the defense vulnerable in coverage, it may be New England's only choice to increase pressure. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia brought extra pressure from several linebacker spots against the Jets, which resulted in a season-high four sacks.

Linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy produced three of the four sacks. The other came from interior defensive lineman Malcom Brown.

If New England has any desire to rattle quarterbacks like Matt Ryan or Philip Rivers in the coming weeks, bringing extra pressure has to be on the menu.

Pay Extra Attention to Back in the Pass Game

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New England should also spend extra attention toward slowing running backs in the passing game. They've been gashed by pass-catching backs since Week 1, when Kareem Hunt caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

On Sunday, Matt Forte caught eight balls for 59 yards. Tampa Bay backs combine for seven catches and 52 yards two weeks ago. Coming in the next couple weeks are dynamic backs like Melvin Gordon, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

Part of the problem is that the Patriots have a big defensive line, but not an especially athletic one. When backs catch passes coming out of the backfield, it often falls on the back seven to stop them, especially when passes come on the outside.

Utilizing man defense should help in this area as well, as the Patriots defense will be less likely to lose track of running backs in the passing game if a defender is assigned to them.

Establish the Run

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Yes, I know that running backs aren't going to be producing sacks or interceptions for New England's defense. However, establishing the run and slowing down the offense could lead to having the defense on the field less. That should lead to a more rested defense and less rhythm for opposing offenses.

Remember, New England had a consistent ground game behind LeGarrette Blount last season and could do slow games down when needed. The problem this season is finding a runner who can produce a consistent rushing attack. Dion Lewis might be that guy. He rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

"I feel good. I’m sure there are things I can do better, but it’s going to keep getting better," Lewis said, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

The rushing attack was better against the Jets, but New England still only ran the ball 25 times. Brady attempted 38 passes. On the season, New England has run the ball only 153 times and passed 233 times.

Now, Brady is awesome and the Patriots have to love putting the ball in his hands, but finding more balance on offense should be a priority.