How the Patriots’ secondary graded in Super Bowl LII without Malcolm Butler
Without the hero of Super Bowl XLIX, the Patriots struggled to make stops.
Bill Belichick bet on the other Patriots cornerbacks to seamlessly fill in when he benched Malcolm Butler. As was made painfully clear to New Englanders, the strategy failed.
Related Links
The Patriots’ defense surrendered 538 total yards in Super Bowl LII, as the Eagles emerged victorious, 41-33. Philadelphia backup quarterback Nick Foles completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles went 10 for 16 on third downs, slicing through Belichick’s secondary to score an upset win.
One of the dominant storylines to emerge in the game was the conspicuous absence of Butler, who played the role of Super Bowl hero only a few years before. Asked in the postgame press conference why Butler had been benched, Belichick responded that the decision was made for football reasons, and was not due to disciplinary action or anything else.
So how did the Patriots’ secondary perform without Butler in it?
According to Pro Football Focus, Butler’s overall grade for the 2017 regular season was 79.2. This, per the site’s rating system, classified him as “average.” He was valued as the 51st best cornerback in the league.
In Super Bowl LII, Butler’s usual partner in the Patriots’ secondary, Stephon Gilmore, had an excellent night amid the struggles of his teammates. He graded out to an 87.5, with the following explanation:
On a night where the Patriots’ defense was picked apart at times, Gilmore was stout in coverage throughout the game. He was targeted six times, allowing only three catches for 19 yards and recording a pass breakup. Gilmore had a solid playoff run for the Pats, as he was targeted 16 times, allowed 8 catches and notched three pass breakups.
And the Patriots’ other starting cornerback, Eric Rowe, filled in for Butler with an a grade of 82.6. Of course as was noted at the time, he struggled in the first half:
Eric Rowe has let up three catches on four targets for 66 yards with a TD and TD-saving PBU.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) February 5, 2018
Sam Monson, a lead NFL analyst for Pro Football Focus, offered context for Rowe’s grade.
“While Rowe didn’t play that badly, he still gave up significant yardage, allowing six receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown, and it’s entirely possible that Butler wouldn’t have given up those plays,” said Monson.
More than Rowe, Butler’s other teammates in the secondary failed to deliver. Five players on the Eagles had at least 49 yards receiving, with running back Corey Clement leading the way (totaling 100 yards and a touchdown). In all, their final stats only partly reflected the lack of effective coverage:
Coverage stats:
Gilmore: 1/5 7yds, 2 PBU
Rowe: 4/9 80yds, TD, 3 PBU
Chung: 3/6 56yds
DMC: 3/5 13yds, TD
Richards: 2/2 74yds
Bademosi: 1/1 17yds
Harmon: 0/1 plus an INT
Lee: 1/1 1yd, TD
MFlowers: 2/2 14yds, TD
KVN: 1/2 18yds, PBU— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) February 5, 2018
“Jordan Richards was poor and Jonathan Bademosi gave up a key reception,” Monson explained.
In that regard, Butler’s absence potentially impacted more than just his presence as starter, considering the knock-on effect it had on the rest of the secondary:
https://twitter.com/jeffphowe/status/960586870940938240
