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The Philadelphia Eagles destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX and in the process gave the NFL yet another blueprint as to how to stop an all-time great quarterback. Get consistent pressure on him.
We saw it previously in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mahomes and of course in with Tom Brady versus the New York Giants. If you can get consistent pressure with four or five rushers and play coverage, you can stop any quarterback.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did not call a single blitz on Sunday night. The Eagles generated pressure on 38.1 percent of snaps on Sunday night. They played all zone coverage except for two snaps. When asked why the Eagles relied solely on their base pass rush and not blitz, Fangio said the Eagles focused more on varying coverages than pressure.
“We just adjusted with coverages,” said Fangio. “We didn’t pressure much. He so good against pressure that I was hoping we could play the game without having to pressure much, and that happened.”
The Patriots defense under Mike Vrabel will be different from a philosophical standpoint that what we saw during the Belichick years. New defensive coordinator Terrell Williams will unleash the front seven more. He will play more 40 fronts. The Patriots will not play as many odd fronts or two gap as much as they did under Belichick. Instead, they will be a one gap system where the defensive line will get off the ball, read movement and attack.
Williams said when he was hired that he wants a defense that plays a “violent and aggressive style of defense.” The Patriots will dictate terms. They will not allow the offense to do that.
Having depth along the defensive line and having multiple players who attack and can get after the quarterback will be a priority.
Luckily for the Patriots, this year’s draft class is loaded at defensive line and edge rusher. It is a good draft to prioritize the front seven. Offensive line and wide receiver are needs but do not be surprised if the Patriots drafted an Abdul Carter or Mason Graham ahead of those needs. Both are disruptive players who can get after the quarterback.
As much as the game evolves, it stays the same. The Eagles proved that the other night. You can play all these exotic fronts and coverages, but if you don’t get consistent pressure on the quarterback, you can’t win.
Fangio kept it simple in the Super Bowl. He called a front a coverage and his players did the rest. It doesn’t get much easier than that. Talent trumps scheme.