Patriots defense ranks top-5 in multiple key categories through 2 weeks

It’s a double-edged sword for New England, with a top-5 in pass rush win rate, but bottom-5 in pressures allowed offensively.

New England is allowing the fewest points in the NFL through two weeks. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Patriots’ defense has been stellar through two weeks, hovering in the top-5 of multiple key broad metrics, and some more advanced statistics as well.

Per Pro Football Focus, New England’s defense has the third-highest pass rush win rate in the NFL (57.5 percent). They’ve allowed the fewest points and fourth-fewest yards per game to opponents.

Christian Gonzalez has been a force in the secondary, as has newly acquired safety Kevin Byard. The Patriots defensive line group has been strong as a unit, with Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and Dre’Mont Jones each making key plays. Barmore in particular has had plenty of success rushing the passer.

Linebacker is a thin group, but outside of Robert Spillane’s presence down the middle, Christian Elliss has been a force in his hybrid outside linebacker role. He has had success rushing the quarterback, notably laying a huge hit on Aaron Rodgers in Week 2, but he’s been a reliable coverage linebacker, too.

The melting pot of talent has created issues for both the Seahawks and Steelers so far, and may pose a challenge to the effective but relatively underpowered offense of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Unfortunately for New England, though, its strengths on defense are being paralleled by a troubling two weeks offensively. While it’s top-5 in pass rush win rate, it’s also bottom-5 in pressures allowed, and has the second-worst percentage of drives ending in a touchdown (10 percent, per PFF).

There’s no reason for panic in Foxborough over the slow start offensively. For all the discourse surrounding Drake Maye’s play, he’s still a former MVP runner-up and one of the youngest starting quarterbacks in the NFL. He’ll have plenty of time to rebound, and may be able to do so against a Jaguars defense that’s middle of the pack thus far.

Jacksonville is 16th in yards allowed and has the fifth-worst completion percentage allowed to opponents. Maye’s 2025 completion percentage was one of the highest marks in recent NFL history over the course of a season, so his matchup is favorable in Week 3.

If there was ever a time to bounce back and pick up a key win on the road, Sunday afternoon is a good opportunity. New England will have to keep former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence contained and win its matchups against the Jaguars’ receiving core.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Sunday as New England vies for a second straight win.