The New England Patriots have a great defense, but many people had no idea it was this good.<\/p>\n
The Patriots delivered their best defensive performance of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, limiting the Chargers to just three points and 207 yards of total offense. It was the fewest points and third-fewest yards New England has allowed all season, and it came against one of the league\u2019s top quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, no less.<\/p>\n
It was a masterclass by Patriots defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr<\/a>, who did a great job disguising coverages, covering Los Angeles\u2019 receivers and pressuring Herbert, keeping him off balance all night long.<\/p>\n No wonder Herbert struggled, completing just 19 of his 31 passes for 159 yards and no touchdowns. He was also sacked six times and clearly had issues deciphering New England\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n He isn\u2019t the only one, either. After reviewing the Patriots\u2019 defensive tape, NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky admitted he often had no idea what he was looking at<\/a>.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n When I watch the @Patriots<\/a> defensive tape:<\/p>\n I have absolutely no idea what coverage they\u2019re in 80% of the snaps (I say that in a respectful way)<\/p>\n The coverage is so cloudy and muddy and confusing. I find it almost impossible as a QB to play with clarity of what they\u2019re doing or\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I watch the @Patriots defensive tape: I have absolutely no idea what coverage they\u2019re in 80% of the snaps (I say that in a respectful way),\u201d Orlovsky shared on X on Monday. \u201cThe coverage is so cloudy and muddy and confusing. I find it almost impossible as a QB to play with clarity of what they\u2019re doing or what they\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n Orlovsky played seven seasons in the NFL, so that means a lot coming from him.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n Kuhr will try to create a similar level of chaos and confusion for C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans<\/a> this weekend.<\/p>\n \t