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New England Patriots Defense Credits Road Trip For Success

By Cory Buck

Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Akeem Ayers (55) is congratulated by strong safety Duron Harmon (30) and /n3232/ after intercepting a pass from San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (far left, background) during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Akeem Ayers (55) is congratulated by strong safety Duron Harmon (30) and /n3232/ after intercepting a pass from San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (far left, background) during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots won on the heels of a stout defensive performance, which players credited as a part of a team-building week in San Diego.

The New England Patriots beat the San Diego Chargers, which you expected, but they did so not on the strength of Tom Brady and the offense. Instead, the Patriots defense stifled Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense, blanking them in the second half to hang on for a 23-14 win. Coach Bill Belichick was so impressed, he actually spoke with feeling at his postgame press conference.

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“Defensively, I can’t say enough about that effort,” Belichick said, per ESPN.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Bill. Easy on the old ticker, buddy. You don’t want to blow a gasket going all-out in praise there.

Belichick has every right to be impressed. This defense was obliterated by injury, but they looked in peak form on the road against one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

“If you would have told me that they were going to hold them to 23 and score a touchdown [on defense], I would have thought we would’ve won the game,” Philip Rivers said after the game.

The reason for the stout performance by a defense missing Dont’a Hightower and Chandler Jones, among others? Darrelle Revis thinks it was the week the team spent out in San Diego, practicing and bonding.

“This was my first time doing this, and I think it was team bonding,” he said. “Guys were hanging out with each other, spending time, and that’s what you need. You need unity on the team, chemistry, especially coming off a loss in Green Bay. I think it was a good time for us.”

The Patriots will keep those good vibes rolling when they go home to host division rival Miami Dolphins.

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