Both the New York Giants and the New England Patriots operate 4-3 defensive lines. This article will examine where each team stands with their 4-3 defensive lines in terms of their pros and cons.
Pros To The New York Giants Defensive Line
The biggest pro when it comes to the New York Giants defensive line is their ability to pass rush the quarterback. The New York Giants are stacked with defensive end depth. Jason Pierre Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyioria, and Dave Tollefson can be disruptive defensive ends.
The Giants even have the block shedders at defensive tackle like Linval Joseph, Chris Canty, and Rocky Bernard at defensive tackle who can create additional pressure by playing aggressive at the point of attack or commanding double teams. The Giants outside linebackers Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka can pressure Brady too.
The Giants have 9 different players in the front 7 that can bring some pressure at Tom Brady at one point or another in this game along with strong defensive end depth which is a huge plus considering Matt Light, Sebastian Vulmer, and Nate Solder are all listed as questionable by some media outlets.
Cons To The New York Giants Defensive Line
The Giants focus on pass rushing and mastering tackles with the defensive line. Running to the outside can be challenging at times. The biggest weakness with the Giants defensive line is stopping runs to the inside. The Patriots weak point on their offensive line is at center and right guard. That makes the match up between the Giants Defensive line and New England’s offensive line very evenly contested.
Pros To The New England Patriots Defensive Line
New England’s defensive line can stop the run. Mark Anderson’s play goes under the radar. Vince Wilfork is one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles who can play a 4-3 o the 3-4. Mark Anderson and Brandon Deadrick both attended Alabama. This chemistry at defensive end gets under looked and really works to New England’s advantage even with the injury of Andre Carter at right end.
Cons To The New England Patriots Defensive Line
Sometimes New England’s pass rush does not create pressure. There are times when the Patriots fail to sack the quarterback. The opposing signal caller goes on to make a big play to move the chains like a 4 yard completion with 8 yards gained after the catch on a 12 yard completion. Sometimes a quarterback will chuck a 30 yard play vertically downfield for a long completion.
New England’s secondary focuses a lot on zone coverage and generating turnovers. The New England Patriots secondary can collapse without the proper pressure from the Patriots pass rush up front.
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