Answering a question about the Patriots defensive front

Why the Pats were effective vs. the Lions and what that means for their matchup against the Browns

I taped an episode of The Mina Kimes Podcast featuring Lenny yesterday. Fun, I think, was had by all! You can listen to it here, or wherever you get your pods.

During our conversation, Mina asked me a question about the Patriots’ defensive front aligning in a 5-0-5, old-school, ‘Okie’ front, how it helped them to slow the Lions run game last week, and what that will mean versus the Browns league-leading rushing attack this weekend.

Answering that stuff on podcasts without a visual element can be hard – plus, if I’m honest: COVID brain. I mentioned the natural leverage built into the play, but didn’t really go into much detail. So, I thought I’d put some thoughts down here for those who want to know some more. Feel free to check out on this one if you’re not into too much football-ease. 

A 5-0-5 front is as it sounds: Two five-techniques saddled on the outside shoulder of the tackles – or squeezing close enough to be a head up four (a ‘heavy five’ in the nomenclature of some staffs) – wit…