New England Patriots

Morning sports update: Dont’a Hightower explained his nickname for the Patriots’ linebackers

"We want to go out there, we want to be the engine and the starting force of this defense."

Michael Bennett and Dont'a Hightower sack Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy.

By Hayden Bird

2 minutes to read

The Patriots won in Washington on Sunday, 33-7. After allowing an early touchdown, New England’s defense was once again dominant as the team moved to 5-0 on the season.

The Revolution fell to Atlanta United in the MLS regular season finale, 3-1. However, New England will get an immediate chance at revenge in the playoffs on Oct. 19 in Atlanta in the Revolution’s first postseason appearance since 2015.

And the Washington Mystics defeated the Connecticut Sun 94-81 to move one win away from the team’s first WNBA championship.

Dont’a Hightower’s nickname for the Patriots’ linebackers: After yet another dominant defensive display by the Patriots, Dont’a Hightower put forward a possible nickname for (at least) the linebacking corps.

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“We’re the Boogeymen,” Hightower told reporters.

“We want to go out there, we want to be the engine and the starting force of this defense,” Hightower continued. “We know that if we go out and we play well, it’ll hype every other spot whether that’s in the front seven or the back seven. Not even if it’s a linebacker, whether it’s [Devin McCourty] with a pick or [Jason McCourty] with a pick or [Duron Harmon] with a pick. We feed off of each other.”

The New England defense has only given up two defensive touchdowns in five games, and leads the NFL with 24 sacks. The team is currently on pace to set modern records for most sacks in a season (the current record is 72 set by the 1984 Bears) and points allowed (165 set by the 2000 Ravens).

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Trivia: Washington fired Jay Gruden after his 33-7 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Before Gruden, who was the last coach to be fired after losing to the Patriots?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He played for Washington as a safety in Super Bowl XXII.

More from Boston.com:

Tom Brady enjoyed the home field atmosphere of FedExField

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https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Su8BxBrKv/

The Tacko Fall era is underway:

Former Patriot Logan Ryan was not getting hurdled:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3SaDHMpSzv/?igshid=173lfd18gygyr

On this date: In 1975, the Red Sox ended the three-year reign of the Oakland Athletics as champions. Boston defeated Oakland 5-3 in the American League Championship Series to clinch the pennant and a berth in the World Series.

Daily highlight: From Sunday’s Major League Lacrosse championship, in which Denver lost but John Grant Jr. made a ridiculous play.

Trivia answer: Todd Bowles