Patriots’ dominant run defense anchored by pair of under-the-radar players

The top-ranked run defense in football is currently being fielded by the Patriots, who are led by two underappreciated players.

When the NFL playoff start in mid-January, the best run defense in the league will not be participating. The New England Patriots have now been officially eliminated from postseason contention despite being the top-ranked team in football when it comes to stopping opposing rushing attacks.

Obviously, you cannot build a successful team in 2023 based on the ability to stop the run alone. That said, the Patriots’ play in that area is still worth praising and one of the few sources for optimism heading toward a pivotal offseason.

Looking at volume statistics, the team’s numbers do not jump off the page; in their 13 games so far this season, the Patriots have surrendered 1,146 rushing yards (3rd) and 10 touchdowns (t-13th). However, they have been quite efficient.

The average run against New England’s defense is gaining just 3.2 yards, the best mark in the league. This has also allowed the unit to climb to the top of the leaderboard in advanced metrics: their expected points added per rush (-0.214) and defensive success rate (32.0%) are the best in the league as well.

There are multiple reasons why the Patriots are this good at defending the run, ranging from scheme to individual and team performance. For defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington, however, two players in particular have played a role in this.

Just don’t expect the average NFL fan to know them: defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and edge defender Anfernee Jennings.

“In my opinion Davon Godchaux is one of the best run defenders — especially defensive tackles as a nose tackle — in the game,” Covington told reporters last week, following the Patriots’ 21-18 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“He does a really good job throughout the week, preparing. Really good block recognition; really good run explosion; really good block destruction; and really good job overall just making tackles. To me, he’s everything you want in a nose tackle. He’s done a really good job for our defense this year and every year he’s been here.”

Godchaux arrived as part of the Patriots’ free agency spending spree in 2021, and has since become a core member of the defense — one earning a contract extension through 2024 last summer. Appearing in all 48 possible games over the last three seasons, the 6-foot-3, 330-pounder has been the unit’s anchor versus the run and arguably the closest player to a true space-eating nose the team has had since Vince Wilfork.

Given his role, Godchaux’s numbers do not necessarily stand out. In his 13 contests this year, he has registered 50 tackles — 49 of them versus the run — as well as one fumble recovery and a solitary quarterback hit.

However, the Patriots don’t need him to put up gaudy stats. They need him to clog lanes and give those around him a chance to get the ball carrier, something he has done at a high level this year.

One player benefitting from that is Anfernee Jennings.

“I think you need to be talking about 3-3, Anfernee Jennings. Anfernee Jennings is a guy who doesn’t get a lot of credit, but I think he needs some credit,” Covington said.

“He’s a guy who shows up every day. He’s a part of setting the edge of the defense, and when you set the edge of the defense that goes right back to who? Davon Godchaux. And so, Anfernee Jennings has been a staple in our defense this year. I’m just so proud of him and what he’s done for us as far as an early-down run defender. That’s a guy we all need to be talking about.”

Jennings joined the Patriots one year ahead of Godchaux, being brought in as a third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Alabama product had a quiet first three seasons in the league, in part due to injury, but has enjoyed a breakout year of sorts in 2023.

The Patriots losing Pro Bowl edge Matthew Judon for an extended period of time due to a biceps injury in Week 4 did help open the door. Jennings has walked right through it and taken advantage of his opportunity — so much so that he now looks like a realistic candidate for a contract extension once his rookie deal is up next March.

His performance has helped the Patriots stay on track even with Judon out, and for the team to now look as good as any in the NFL as far as defensive play is concerned. As is the case with Davon Godchaux, though, it likely will not lead to a lot of individual recognition.