What happened: New England generated a strip sack and a touchdown during its recent defensive stretch. A separate series moved the offense backward from third-and-7 to fourth-and-43.
Why it matters: Negative plays and takeaways shorten fields during the September regular-season slate. Consistent front disruption establishes early-season identity without extra blitz help.
By the numbers: 3rd-and-7 to 4th-and-43: 36 yards lost on one series; strip sack plus touchdown in same stretch.
What to watch: Watch whether New England carries the pass rush into its next regular-season game.