First, let's get the obvious out of the way. The Patriots defense hasn't faced a murderer's row of offenses through the first five weeks this season.
The Steelers, Dolphins, Jets, Bills and Redskins all ranked in the bottom-10 scoring offenses through four weeks.
That being said, what the New England D is accomplishing so far this year is special. Very special.
The Pats racked up six more sacks Sunday against Washington — 1.5 by Dont'a Hightower, 1 each from Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton, and Chase Winovich, a half-sack from Michael Bennett, and a team sack — giving them four straight games with at least five sacks for the first time in team history.
New England has a league-leading total of 24 sacks through five games, putting them on a pace for 77 this season. That would break the NFL record of 72, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears. It would also shatter the franchise record of 57 — set in 1979 — and the mark for the most sacks from a Bill Belichick-coached team (49 in 2015).
Even more amazing is the fact that the Patriots only had 30 sacks last season, the third-fewest in the NFL.
The next victim for the Patriots defense? The Giants' Daniel Jones, who was sacked four times in a loss to the Vikings Sunday.
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