It’s hard to beat the New England Patriots. There is no ifs, ands, or buts about it. A big reason for that this season has been their defense, which was eighth in yards allowed and gave up the fewest points of any team this season.
While there were questions as to how good they actually are based on their competition, they answered the bell with an impressive win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship. Now, they face their biggest challenge yet in the league-leading offense of the Atlanta Falcons.
Each unit of the Pats defense also has a former Texas high school football standout contributing in some fashion. As New England gets set to face Atlanta at NRG Stadium, here’s a look at how each Texan will fill their role on defense.
DT Malcom Brown (Brenham/Texas)
Photo by Kevin Jairaj- USA Today Sports
Up front, the Patriots defensive line has been a menacing force for offensive lines in the NFL all season long. One of the youngest members of that line is coming into his own in the league.
Malcom Brown has been a run-stuffer this year, finishing with 50 tackles (24 solo), three sacks and even picked up his first career safety. The Brenham High standout and former Longhorn has made major strides from his rookie year to this season and he will have to play a big role in stopping Atlanta’s high powered offense, particularly the one-two punch at running back of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
LB Elandon Roberts (Port Arthur Memorial/Houston)
Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports
The rookie linebacker has been an important contributor for the Patriots defense, especially after Jamie Collins was traded to Cleveland and Dont’a Hightower missed time with injuries. Heading into Super Bowl LI, Roberts had logged 45 tackles (25 solo) and a forced fumble and had a career-high 11 tackles against the New York Jets on Christmas Eve.
Whether he starts or not, the Port Arthur Memorial grad and Houston Cougar is embracing his return to his home state in search of a championship in his first season in the NFL.
DB Eric Rowe (Klein/Utah)
Photo via John Wilcox, Boston Herald
It’s been an interesting journey in the NFL for Eric Rowe. After an up-and-down tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, the standout from Klein has integrated himself well into the Patriots secondary.
He’s also seeing the field more, including playing more than 80 percent of defensive snaps in the AFC Championship game against the Steelers. He also picked off Ben Roethlisberger in that game as well. In his first season, he’s stepped up big for New England and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will need him and the rest of the secondary to come up big in slowing down Matt Ryan and the high-flying Falcons offense.
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