The New England Patriots’ offensive struggles were expected, but the defensive issues have been a surprising disappointment. Starting nose tackle Davon Godchaux recently revealed a troubling reason for the defense’s underperformance.
After four games, New England’s defense ranks 17th in points allowed and 24th in yards allowed. Speaking on WEEI’s *Jones & Keefe* show, Godchaux pointed out that “some guys have kinda been selfish,” further explaining, “I get it. We’re down, guys want to make plays, but everybody has to play as 11 and sacrifice for the team. Some guys try to make plays on their own, but we have to focus on playing team defense.”
Godchaux’s candid statements shed light on deeper issues within what was expected to be a top-tier defense. His words also highlight a concerning shift in the team’s attitude, especially early in the post-Bill Belichick era.
Patriots Abandoning Team-Oriented Defense
For nearly 25 years under Belichick, the Patriots prided themselves on collective, team-focused defense. Slogans like “Do Your Job” and the “Patriot Way” emphasized the importance of playing as a cohesive unit. Even without elite talent, Belichick consistently fielded strong defensive squads. This trend was expected to continue under new head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.
However, this season, the Patriots are allowing 353 yards per game, the third most among AFC teams. Godchaux believes the issues are self-inflicted, telling *Jones & Keefe*, “It’s not like teams are doing anything new. We’re beating ourselves with mistakes.”
Patriots Repeating Defensive Mistakes
The problems that have plagued New England include failing to contain quarterbacks in the pocket and allowing too many passing plays on the run. After a Week 3 loss to the New York Jets, head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged these issues, saying, “We haven’t tackled well or kept quarterbacks contained. Sometimes we cover well, but other times receivers are wide open.”
Historically, the Patriots excelled at opponent-specific game plans, requiring players to stick to disciplined roles rather than chase individual glory. This included maintaining lane integrity when rushing mobile quarterbacks. However, such discipline has been harder to enforce since the team’s Super Bowl-winning days ended with Tom Brady’s departure in 2020.
While Belichick struggled to win without Brady, he still upheld defensive pride. Now, Godchaux and the Patriots defense must rediscover that pride—and fast—if they hope to turn this season around.
