FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots defense played a season-low 52 snaps in Sunday’s 26-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams, which could serve the unit well leading into next Monday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Patriots-Ravens games usually seem to bring a higher level of physicality than the norm, so the reduced workload could have a positive trickle-down effect on a defense that continues to take small steps forward.
One play stood out from Sunday’s game that reflected those steps of progress: Cornerback Logan Ryan’s sack early in the second quarter, which came as linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Shea McClellin initially showed a double A-gap blitz look before McClellin backed out at the last moment.