There wasn't much offense in Thursday's preseason opener between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. The unit was held to only 13 points, with multiple failed drives and missed field goals.
However, it was a much different outcome on the defensive side of the ball.
Like the Patriots, the Colts didn't play their starters in the game, but they did play former starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, who turned the ball over twice against New England's backups.
One of the turnovers came on an interception by Patriots cornerback Kindle Vildor, and the other was on a play made by veteran linebacker K.J. Britt, who chased Richardson down and punched the ball free for a fumble. The defense forced two more turnovers later in the game, including another fumble recovery and interception by safety John Saunders Jr.
They did a much better job of limiting Richardson and backup quarterback Riley Leonard through the air than they did in slowing down the Colts' ground game. That is obviously something Vrabel is going to look to improve for next week, with another mobile quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Jalen Hurts, coming to town for joint practices and the Week 2 preseason game.
Here are the highest and lowest graded defensive players for the Patriots in their 13-13 tie with the Colts, per Pro Football Focus:
Top five PFF graded players
- LB K.J. Britt - 96.8
- CB Kenneth Harris - 86.1
- CB Brandon Crossley - 80.1
- EDGE Bradyn Swinson - 79.0
- CB Kindle Vildor - 77.1
Bottom five PFF graded players
- LB Chad Muma - 27.9
- DT Eric Gregory - 30.1
- DT Isaiah Iton - 34.1
- CB Eric Butler - 35.9
- DT Joshua Farmer - 45.6
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Best and worst defensive PFF grades for Patriots in tie with Colts