The New England Patriots defense is one of the best in the NFL, in large part thanks to standout players such as safety Devin McCourty. He's been playing at such a high level that he managed to match a long-standing franchise record on Monday.
NFL Research exemplified the feat that the safety managed through the Patriots' first seven weeks of football.
Devin McCourty logged his 5th interception of the season in the first quarter of #MondayNightFootball.
He is the first @Patriots player to have 5+ INT in the first 7 games of the season since @ProFootballHOF corner @OfficialTyLaw in 1998.@McCourtyTwins | #NYJvsNE
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 22, 2019
To be able to notch five interceptions in only seven games is a difficult record to achieve. Given the way quarterbacks have improved over the past couple of years, it's become a lot more challenging to complete interceptions, let alone deflect a bullet of a pass.
However, this statistic proves just how great McCourty and the rest of the Patriots defense has been through these first seven weeks. While the offense does stutter from time to time, they keep their production at a high-enough level to help the team get the W.
This time, against the Jets, it looks like their tasks became much easier as the team is showing up on offense. They've been all over New York throughout the game. John Simon and Kyle Van Noy added to the one-sided score with the great fumble recovery they pulled off.
Law's 1998 season is a fantastic one. He made nine interceptions for 133 yards and a pick-six. His 70 tackles and one fumble recovery also helped him get his first First-Team All-Pro honors.
McCourty has more than enough time to exceed Law's numbers. Given the way he's playing, it's possible that he can finish the season with 12 interceptions on the way to another Super Bowl birth.
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