Tag: jahlani tavai

Patriots veteran one of four highest-graded linebackers by PFF in 2023

Turn on the tape, and you’ll see why Jahlani Tavai was the most underrated defensive player in the NFL in 2023

New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai was the fourth-highest graded linebacker in the NFL in 2023, per Pro Football Focus.

Tavai was one of the unsung heroes of a Patriots defense that ranked in the top-10, despite the 4-13 finish by the team. The unit held up its end in keeping things competitive on the field, but they failed to overcome one of the worst offenses in the league.

Tavai was a game-changer and constant disruptor when he was on the field. Former coach Bill Belichick clearly noticed it due to the sudden uptick in snap count. Tavai’s usage rate jumped 24 percent from the previous season to him being used in 74 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps.

He finished the season with 110 total tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass deflections. His 86.6 PFF grade only ranks behind Tyrel Dodson, Fred Warner and Demario Davis.

Tavai is entering the peak of his career, and he’ll have added motivation playing in a contract year in 2024. The veteran linebacker is positioned to make some serious noise for a Patriots defense that is never mistaken for a pushover.

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Angry Steelers fans think team was cheated vs Patriots on this call

Steelers fans think they were cheated out of this call against the Patriots.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are still furious over the false start penalty called against long snapper Christian Kuntz late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game against the New England Patriots.

The call came on a 4th-and-2 situation when the Steelers were attempting to punt the ball away. When watching the video, it looks like Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai jumped offsides early, but the call ended up going the other way on the field.

It was a big break for a Patriots team that had multiple mistakes on special teams throughout the night. This one, however, would have given the Steelers offense a new set of downs and another chance to put points on the board.

There’s no love lost between the Patriots and Steelers. So it didn’t come as any surprise to see Steelers fans taking to social media to call out the officiating in the loss.

We’ve compiled some of the best reactions to the controversial call on here.

5 big takeaways from Patriots 10-6 loss vs Colts in Germany

5 big takeaways from the Patriots dropping their eighth loss of the season on Sunday to the Colts.

The New England Patriots traveled to Germany on Sunday to take on the Indianapolis Colts. It was a fitting game for a crowd used to low scoring “football,” as both teams combined for just one touchdown and four total scores throughout the contest.

And the 10-6 final scoreline reflected terribly on the Patriots. New England’s defense shut down the Indianapolis offense throughout the entire game, but just could not muster a shred of offense on their end to complement the defensive unit.

The game ultimately ended in an ugly manner for the Patriots, with quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe each throwing bad interceptions late in the game that sealed the loss for New England.

Here are five big takeaways from the game.

Studs and duds in Patriots’ pitiful 20-17 loss to Commanders

Who were the studs and duds in the Patriots’ pitiful 20-17 loss to the Commanders?

Not even a Week 9 matchup with the struggling Washington Commanders could save the New England Patriots from falling to 2-7 on the season.

It’s shocking to think this is the same Patriots team that somehow knocked off the Buffalo Bills in Week 7. The team that beat the Bills must have somehow caught lightning in a bottle because the version that showed up on Sunday looked terrible on all levels.

Offense, defense and special teams—it was all bad for the Patriots.

They had an opportunity to save the game late, but a pass from quarterback Mac Jones bobbled off of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s hands and turned into an interception for the Commanders to close out the game.

It was a completely fitting ending for this version of the Patriots. Here are the studs and duds from the game for New England after their 20-17 loss to the Commanders:

WATCH: Patriots cash in on turnover with Mac Jones-Hunter Henry touchdown

The Mac Jones and Hunter Henry touchdown connection is back on.

The New England Patriots were having trouble getting things going early on Sunday offensively. However, a defensive play by linebacker Jahlani Tavai sparked a Patriots touchdown.

Tavai executed a beautiful strip of the football at the midway point in the second quarter. It was recovered by New England and led to seven points. The touchdown came courtesy of a Mac Jones-Hunter Henry connection and shrunk the Washington lead to 10-7.

It was Henry’s third touchdown of the season and Jones’ 10th touchdown of the year. The play breathed life in the New England offense, which had been stagnant up to that point.

One touchdown is not going to win this game for New England. However, it’s certainly a strong starting point.

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10 highest-graded players for Patriots defense vs Dolphins, per PFF

Who were the highest-graded Patriots defensive players in the loss to the Dolphins?

The New England Patriots defense could not handle the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, as they were defeated by a 31-17 margin.

Sure, the defense had moments of success, but by and large, this was a game that saw the unit struggle overall. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passed for 324 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Running back Raheem Mostert carried the ball 13 times for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Tyreek Hill was the receiver of the afternoon, catching seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.

The Patriots defense had no answers for the potent Miami offensive attack. The Dolphins being on the field for nearly 36 minutes of the game didn’t help matters, either.

Here are the top-10 highest-graded defensive players for the Patriots in Week 8, per Pro Football Focus.

10 highest-graded players for Patriots defense vs Bills, per PFF

Here are the top-10 highest-graded Patriots defensive players in Sunday’s win over the Bills

The New England Patriots defense might be banged up, but it isn’t broken.

They proved that to be the case in Sunday’s shocking upset victory over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots’ defensive unit went toe-to-toe with quarterback Josh Allen and held one of the league’s more explosive offenses in check.

Even without key playmakers, such as linebacker Josh Uche and defensive end Keion White, the team still generated enough pressure on Allen to make him uncomfortable throughout the game.

On the backend of the defense, the cornerbacks didn’t trip over themselves when tasked with the responsibility of keeping All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs from breaking the game wide open.

The J.C. Jackson trade is looking like a masterstroke move by coach Bill Belichick, while the returns of both Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones has made the unit formidable again.

Things won’t get any easier down the stretch, and we’ll see if the team can keep the momentum going. Here’s the top-10 Patriots defenders from Week 7, per Pro Football Focus grades:

Patriots’ top 10 defensive players in Week 6, per PFF grades

Here are the Patriots’ top defensive players in Week 6, per PFF grades.

Defense has been the saving grace for the New England Patriots at a time when there isn’t much to feel good about with the team. That continued to be the case in Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The unit held the Raiders’ rushing attack, including Josh Jacobs, to under 100 yards. They also shut down All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who finished the game with only two receptions for 29 yards.

Even with all of the injuries on the roster, the Patriots defense still stood up to the road challenge and gave the team a chance to win. But it still wasn’t good enough.

Linebacker Jahlani Tavai had another big game after snagging a pop-up interception on Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He also tied Jabrill Peppers, who delivered the vicious hit that caused the initial pop-up interception, in total tackles.

Christian Barmore was also a big-time disruptor along the defensive front in swatting down passes, clogging up running lanes and generating pressure up the middle.

Here are the top-10 Patriots defensive players in Week 6, per Pro Football Focus grades.

3 standout stars for Patriots in Week 6 loss to Raiders

The Patriots put up a fight but still managed to fall short on Sunday. Here are the three standout stars in the Patriots-Raiders game.

The New England Patriots performed much better in Week 6 than they did in their previous two blowout losses to the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.

But even with an improved performance, the Patriots ultimately fell in defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders 21-17, thanks to some last-minute self-inflicted wounds.

The Patriots had a chance to come back late in the fourth quarter and fell short as Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby sacked Mac Jones in the end zone for a safety to ultimately close the game out.

Even in defeat, it was clear New England showed up to compete until the final whistle. These were the three standout stars for the team in their third consecutive loss.

Studs and duds from Patriots’ crushing 21-17 loss to Raiders

Who were the studs and duds from the Patriots’ Week 6 loss to the Raiders?

An easier opponent didn’t make much of a difference for the New England Patriots, who fell in defeat for a third straight time on Sunday afternoon.

After suffering back-to-back blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, the Patriots fell victim to a heartbreaking 21-17 road loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.

The offense was clearly still sluggish, but they did manage to move the ball better than they have in previous weeks. They even scored two touchdowns after failing to score one in their last two games.

But overall, it was still a disappointing showing from a team that looks like one of the worst in the league. The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and even New York Jets look like far superior teams than the Patriots right now.

With a 1-5 record and a schedule loaded with a murderer’s row slate of opponents, there may be no changing that narrative for the Patriots this season.

Here are the studs and duds from Sunday’s game: