Patriots Gridiron News: 3 defensive players who must step up vs. Lions

Can the real Dont’a Hightower please show up

As good as the defense was in Week 1, it was just as bad in Week 2.  One player who is standing out as someone who needs to step up is Dont’a Hightower.

Whether he is still trying to get back in football shape after missing most of the 2017 season or just trying to play a different role on the team, he looks slow.  He doesn’t look like the beast New England Patriots fans are used to seeing on the field when he is healthy.

With Trey Flowers expected to lose this game, Hightower will be needed to generate some pass rush as well as limit the Detroit Lions on the ground.  He must also help protect the middle of the field where opposing offenses love to target the New England Patriots linebackers.

Lions head coach Matt Patricia is going to know exactly how and where to attack his old team on a defense he coached a year ago.  Hightower has the ability to be the X-factor in taking away some of those weaknesses in the defense.

Of course, that will all depend on whether he is physically able.  Kyle Van Noy, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Elandon Roberts also need to step up on that New England Patriots linebackers unit to free Hightower up to do the things he is best at doing.