Patriots’ top 10 defensive players in Week 18, per PFF grades
The New England Patriots didn’t come away with a victory in Sunday’s season finale, but their defense put up a respectable fight in the pouring snow against the rival New York Jets.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise considering the unit has been doing it all season. The defense has shown up week after week and stayed competitive, despite being bogged down with injuries.
Whenever the team seems to be down and out, there’s always a new face stepping up and making an impact on the field. On Sunday, it was rookie cornerback Alex Austin, who was the highest-graded defensive player for the Patriots in Week 18, per Pro Football Focus.
The Patriots defense did struggle against the Jets’ rushing attack with Breece Hall coming out of the backfield, but Austin and company completely shut down the passing game, holding Trevor Siemian to only eight completions and 70 passing yards.
Here are the top-10 defensive players for the Patriots in the final week of the regular season, per PFF:
CB Alex Austin
Grade: 81.5
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LB Jahlani Tavai
Grade: 78.0
CB Jonathan Jones
Grade: 77.4
DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Grade: 76.8
LB Anfernee Jennings
Grade: 70.2
LB Mack Wilson Sr.
Grade: 70.0
S Jabrill Peppers
Grade: 69.2
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
Grade: 67.3
CB Marco Wilson
Grade: 66.3
DL Lawrence Guy Sr.
