Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower returns with a vengeance

LANDOVER, MD. — To the Redskins, it must have seemed like there were three of Dont’a Hightower on the field. He was everywhere, making plays all over the field.

After missing last Sunday’s win in Buffalo with a shoulder injury, the linebacker returned and made life miserable for the Skins during the Patriots 33-7 win at FedEx Field.

He was easily the best defensive player on the field, making impact plays all afternoon. On the Redskins very first series, Hightower showed great pursuit, taking down running back Chris Thompson for a one-yard loss. That set the tone for the defense, and what was to come for the linebacker who had six-tackles, including a sack and four tackles for a loss by halftime.

He finished with eight tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and the four tackles for loss.

Hightower said everyone in the linebacker room, whether it’s him, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, etc., feeds off each other.

“We’re the boogeymen,” he said. “All of us, we want to be the engine and the starting force of the defense. We know if we go out and play well, that’ll hype every other spot, whether it’s in the front seven or the back seven.”

Both Collins and Van Noy are having monster seasons whether making plays, or getting to the quarterback. Hightower just reminded everyone he’s also in the mix of elite players. Against the Redskins it seemed like he was ahead of the play, reading it before the offense even got untracked. He just missed a pick, jumping a route. He might have had a pick-six if he held on.

“When I’m able to play fast, that allows everyone else to play fast,” said the veteran defensive captain. “We just try to feed off of one another.”

The Patriots defense was especially effective on third down, holding the Redskins to just one conversion on eleven attempts, getting the ball back to Tom Brady and the offense. The defense has now held the opposition to less than 20 percent conversions in three of the last four games.

“We want to get the ball and give it back to our offense and in some situations, we want to score,” said Hightower. “Whenever we go out, we take the attitude, there’s no reason we can’t force them to go three-and out, there’s no reason we can’t get a pick on the first play, there’s no reason we can’t knock the ball out. When you have eleven guys out there on the field who’s conscious of the ball, the quarterback, and running back, and all that stuff, good things happen when all eleven guys are to the ball.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2oUCL0u