The New England Patriots were the AFC’s top seed as the month of December began. Losing three out of the last four games, the trajectory completely changed on the 2021 season. Misfortune followed them to the first round of the NFL playoffs, where they were defeated soundly by the Buffalo Bills, 47-17.
Linebacker Matthew Judon did his part to help the Patriots get in playoff contention in the first place. He was a major part of their defense, as he recorded 12.5 sacks on the season. However, he could not get things going in the final stretch.
Much like the rest of the team, Judon did not produce at a high level toward the end of the year. He recorded only one quarterback hit and one tackle for a loss in New England’s final five games.
Speaking on Felger and Mazz Wednesday, the linebacker offered his take about why the Patriots faltered down the stretch. As transcribed by NESN’s Zack Cox, it was a combination of things.
“I don’t know, honestly,” he said, speaking from Super Bowl LVI Radio Row. “We kind of just played some good teams, and we weren’t playing our best ball. And you can’t do that at the end of the season. It’s really no excuse. I wish I could be like, ‘Well, this person got hurt,’ but it wasn’t that. It wasn’t that.
“It was just we weren’t playing good football, and I think after like two games, then everybody tried to start making a play. Like, ‘I’m going to be the player that do this. I’m going to be the player that do that,’ instead of just playing within the defensive scheme and stuff like that. And I kind of think that’s kind of what happened.
Signed to a four-year deal last offseason, Judon will have the chance to make an even bigger impact in 2022. As the organization looks to take the next step, he figures to be a key part of what New England’s defense does moving forward. With key offseason decisions still to be made, there will at least be continuity with the pass-rushers.
