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Pass protection
The Patriots' pass protection was excellent in Sunday's season opener.
Was it a result of the Jets rushing just three players? Or did the Patriots grade out highly while facing a steady diet of blitzes?
In all, there were 29 dropbacks by quarterback Tom Brady, who was knocked to the ground just once. Brady finished 22 of 28 for 297 yards and three touchdowns, and had one carry for four yards when all his targets were covered.
The standard pass rush is four defenders. Anything more than that constitutes a blitz.
Here is a look at what the Jets did and how the Patriots fared against it:
Amount: 9 of 29 dropbacks
Results: 7 of 8 for 67 yards; 1 rush, 4 yards
Quick hit: Lone incompletion was Wes Welker's first-quarter drop on third down
Amount: 4 of 29 dropbacks
Results: 3 of 4 for 75 yards, 2 TDs
Quick hit: TDs to Watson and Moss came against four-man rushes
Amount: 7 of 29 dropbacks
Results: 3 of 7 for 48 yards, TD
Quick hit: TD to Welker came against five-man rush; as did 33-yard bomb to Moss
Amount: 5 of 29 dropbacks
Results: 5 of 5 passing for 46 yards
Quick hit: Moss' first catch, for 18 yards, came against 6-man rush
Amount: 4 of 29 dropbacks
Results: 4 of 4 passing for 61 yards
Quick hit: All four catches made by Moss
FINAL ANALYSIS: In all, the Jets blitzed 16 of 29 times. When the Jets brought two or three extra rushers, that's when the Patriots made them pay, as New England completed all nine passes against six- and seven-man rushes. It is interesting to note that when the Jets brought seven rushers, Randy Moss was on the receiving end of all four passes, which could be a tendency opponents will key upon. Meanwhile, when the Jets played conservative and rushed just three, Tom Brady had plenty of time in the pocket and was patient in making plays. If not for the Wes Welker drop against a three-man rush, the Patriots would have been perfect against that as well.
