FOXBORO – Matt Patricia usually plays good cop. Introverted with the media, the Patriots defensive coordinator generally comes off as a warm, fuzzy, hugging, encouragement-whispering leader.
But after a 57-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Titans tight end Delanie Walker cut the Patriots lead to 27-16 Sunday with just under seven minutes remaining, Patricia got heated.
He gathered the entire Patriots defense around him on the bench and laid into them for at least a minute.
His message? According to Patriots defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, it was, “Let’s go, let’s be who we're supposed to be and let’s play this game the way we know how and not let our foot off the gas. You have a team in a position like that you have to go ahead and finish it.”
After building a 24-3 lead by halftime, the Patriots defense allowed a seven-play, 59-yard touchdown drive to start the second half. The ensuing Tennessee possessions – led by backup Zach Metterberger – were yielding a little too much yardage for Patricia’s liking as well. A defensive holding wiped out a third down interception by Malcolm Butler in the third quarter, extending one drive. The next one went from the Titans 24 to the Patriots 38 before an end zone pick by Butler snuffed it.
The Walker touchdown was when Patricia had obviously seen enough. After the lecture, the next Titans possession was snuffed by a Jamie Collins interception that he returned 51 yards to seal things.
The defensive “lull” (which is the word Hicks used to describe it), wasn’t excusable but it was to a degree understandable. Big lead against a bad team with the backup quarterback in, the game was seemingly decided.
But the level of play had become offensive. Hicks said he appreciates the notion of playing to a standard.
“I love this team's approach, I love Bill’s approach to it: 60 minutes of good football,” said Hicks. “That means never letting your foot off the gas, staying disciplined all the way through and I think we approach every game as a one-game season. All those things sound really cliché but when you really believe in them and you push for them I think you’ll be really successful.”
The Patriots defense needed that final push from Patricia on Sunday.