Due to illness, the article is streamlined to just star treatment with thorough detail on pressure, packages, and scheme on the defense podcast with Michael Crawford.

Star Treatment

Justin Madubuike

  • (Q1, 10:58):  He was blocked by C Hainsey as part of RB Fournette RR9
  • (Q2, 1:31):  On 3rd/2, he stunted past C Hainsey for a low QH, (RTP close ?) as Brady converted with PR28 to WR Evans
  • (Q4, 13:22):  On 3rd/10, he chased Brady to the sideline where Stone forced him to slide down for RL1
  • (Q4, 5:10):  On 3rd/6, he delivered a late QH on Brady as he threw PL6 TD to TE Otton.  The play and his QH were negated by offensive holding.
  • (Q4, 1:55):  He appeared to have another clean QH but was flagged for RTP as Brady threw incomplete for WR Jones 22 yards [1] trapped
  • (Q4, 1:49):  He spun off a double team from C Hainsey and LG Leverett for a late S-4

Justin had a fine game of pressure spoiled by a ticky-tack QH.

Justin Houston

  • (Q2, 1:10):  He bulled LT Smith then took down Brady with one arm for S-9
  • (Q2, 1:03):  On 3rd/14, despite ATS he pursued for S-7 to end drive.  These 2 sacks tied then broke the NFL record for career sacks previously held by Ben Roethlisberger.
  • (Q4, 13:22):  On 3rd/10, he flushed Brady left where he was forced to slide for RL1 by sideline to force FG
  • (Q4, 5:10):  On 3rd/6, he drew OH on LT Smith that negated PL6 TD
  • (Q4, 5:04):  On 3rd/16, he pancaked LT Smith but went down as well, his legs pressured Brady who eventually threw PL13 to WR Jones to bring up 4th/3
  • (Q4, 0:49):   On the 2nd 2-point attempt, he penetrated inside vs. TE Otton to blow up RB White RM0 and maintain the 5-point lead

Justin had contributions to 2 drive-ending plays.  He had another that brought up 4th and 3 and yet another which foiled a 2-point try.  He seems to have benefitted significantly from reduced usage (20 snaps vs TB) the last 2 weeks when he has been the Ravens defensive MVP and most efficient defender on a per-snap basis.

Kyle Hamilton

  • (Q1, 0:34):  On 3rd/12, he had double coverage with Stone of TE Otton in endzone to force overthrow and fieldgoal
  • (Q2, 12:58):  On 3rd/4, he rushed unblocked through the left B-gap for a QH as Brady threw incomplete to WR Godwin dislodged by big hit from Stone
  • (Q2, 1:35):  On 2nd/3, he was three yards away from INT of PD B. Washington
  • (Q2, 1:03):  On 3rd/14, he and Houston provided late pressure resulting in Houston’s S-7
  • (Q4, 1:00):  On 2nd/Goal, he made a diving PD across body of TE Otton at the goalline [1]

Kyle played 32 snaps, 28 of which came in dime.  He’s been regularly around the football and just missed a share of Brady’s record-setting sack.  He was party to 3 drive-ending plays.

Geno Stone

  • (Q1, 11:03):  He had tight underneath coverage of TE Otton 11 yards [1], Brady overthrew, and Humphrey dropped the INT
  • (Q1, 0:40):  On 2nd/12, he had tight coverage of WR Evans in back of endzone and Brady threw just OOB
  • (Q1, 0:34):  He and Hamilton had tight double coverage of TE Otton in endzone to force overthrow, FG
  • (Q2, 12:58):  On 3rd/4, with BOQ, he arrived with the football to dislodge from WR Godwin to force punt
  • (Q3, 9:05):  He was blocked by TE Kieft on RB White PL20 (2 + 18) [2]
  • (Q4, 15:00):  He delivered a quick stick on WR Godwin PL7 (6 + 1) [2] with assist from D. Williams that converted 2nd/6
  • (Q4, 13:30):  He had tight trailing coverage of TE Rudolph 14 yards in endzone [1] as Brady led too much
  • (Q4, 13:22):  On 3rd/10, he chased down Brady to force slide RL1 and force FG

Brady tested Stone at least 5 times, but completed only 1 pass for 7 yards (see above).  Geno contributed to 3 drive-ending plays.  His play during the absence of Marcus Williams has helped hold the defense together.

Defensive MVPs:

  1. Justin Houston
  2. Geno Stone
  3. Kyle Hamilton

Honorable mention to Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, and Brent Urban.