New England Patriots: Top 5 defensive performers of 2018 NFL season
After struggling during parts of the 2018 NFL season, the New England Patriots defense stepped up to lead the team so a Super Bowl LIII victory.
Defense wins championships, especially when they are headed by New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
For all the criticism he took in the Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and not paying for defensive talent, Belichick proved he is still on the top of his game in 2018.
In leading a defense that lacked explosive talent, Belichick, along with defensive playcaller Brian Flores used creative schemes to put their players in the best position to make plays and they did exactly that.
Although the defense as a whole struggled through the early part of the season, they found solid play on all three levels from both reliable and unlikely players to become a formidable defense towards the end of the 2018 NFL season and through the playoffs.
In fact, there could be a case made that the defense was the MVP of Super Bowl LIII. Not only were they physical in limiting the Los Angeles Rans to just 3 points, they communicated as a team and executed in a way that confused Sean McVay and his quarterback Jared Groff.
From Jonathan Jones to Dont’a Hightower, the New England Patriots defense in 2018 became the driving force of the team and a reason they now call themselves the defending Super Bowl champions.