Sack Series - Justin Francis' First Career Sack
In order to understand who was responsible for each of the 7 sacks that were produced against Miami, I am going to break down all 7 of the sacks. I will look at all aspects of the play, and give credit where credit is due.
This play ends up as Justin Francis' first NFL career sack, but it was also a great way to start the game. The Patriots offense had a disappointing end to a promising first drive, but the defense came out and forced a 3-and-out. The sequence was perfect: 1st and 10: Bush stopped for 1 yard, 2nd and 9: Mayo knocks down a pass from Tannehill, 3rd and 9: Tannehill is sacked by Francis. Francis might get the credit, but the coverage is flawless.
Patriots are in Dime personnel with #26 Martin and #27 Wilson as the extra DBs. Martin gets over-the-top help from #25 Chung, which neutralizes the vertical route. #24 Arrington could get exploited to the inside because he is 5 yards off (due to the bunched WRs), but #27 Wilson gets in position to cut off the passing lane, and #28 Gregory is waiting to help on the crossing route. Likewise, #32 McCourty and #51 Jerod Mayo handle their press-man assignments perfectly. In fact, McCourty knocks his man to the ground, and Mayo doesn't let Bush past the line of scrimmage.
I say credit the coverage with this sack, but facing a mobile QB, the play is not over until the whistle. Moreoever, Tannehill may have been able to throw the ball away to help his field position. Therefore, we need to acknowledge the pass rush for finishing the play. As you can see, Rob Ninkovich comes screaming around the corner to beat his 1-on-1 block against the Tackle. Likewise, Vince Wilfork pushes the Guard into Tannehill's foot space, so Tannehill tries to escape out the A-gap (vacated by Vince's swim move). Alertly, Justin Francis gets off his block to fill the gap and make the tackle (green dot).
Also, its worth noting that TE Anthony Fasano stays in to block, which allows The Pats to load up the inside with Gregory and Wilson. He probably stays in to account for a possible Tavon Wilson blitz rather than double-team Chandler Jones. I mean this is great execution defensively, but if Tannehill had control of the offense like a Flacco or a Manning, he might have changed the play to prepare for the possibility that the blitz won't come. I can cut Tannehill some slack because he is a rookie, but the point is, I wouldn't expect 7 sacks from The Patriots defense in any of these playoff games.
This play ends up as Justin Francis' first NFL career sack, but it was also a great way to start the game. The Patriots offense had a disappointing end to a promising first drive, but the defense came out and forced a 3-and-out. The sequence was perfect: 1st and 10: Bush stopped for 1 yard, 2nd and 9: Mayo knocks down a pass from Tannehill, 3rd and 9: Tannehill is sacked by Francis. Francis might get the credit, but the coverage is flawless.
I say credit the coverage with this sack, but facing a mobile QB, the play is not over until the whistle. Moreoever, Tannehill may have been able to throw the ball away to help his field position. Therefore, we need to acknowledge the pass rush for finishing the play. As you can see, Rob Ninkovich comes screaming around the corner to beat his 1-on-1 block against the Tackle. Likewise, Vince Wilfork pushes the Guard into Tannehill's foot space, so Tannehill tries to escape out the A-gap (vacated by Vince's swim move). Alertly, Justin Francis gets off his block to fill the gap and make the tackle (green dot).
Also, its worth noting that TE Anthony Fasano stays in to block, which allows The Pats to load up the inside with Gregory and Wilson. He probably stays in to account for a possible Tavon Wilson blitz rather than double-team Chandler Jones. I mean this is great execution defensively, but if Tannehill had control of the offense like a Flacco or a Manning, he might have changed the play to prepare for the possibility that the blitz won't come. I can cut Tannehill some slack because he is a rookie, but the point is, I wouldn't expect 7 sacks from The Patriots defense in any of these playoff games.
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