By Jordan Long
The New England Patriots are preparing to take on the New York Jets on Sunday in the season finale. They have already clinched a first-round bye but with a victory, they would secure home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The Patriots made a move to make them an even larger threat in the playoffs, signing linebacker James Harrison.
Harrison was available after the Pittsburgh Steelers released him on December 23rd. He only suited up in 5 games this year. In those games Harrison wasn’t an effective player with only 3 tackles and 1 sack.
The Patriots are hoping he can be the player he was last season for Pittsburgh in the postseason. He had a total of 5 sacks with 53 tackles. In his 15 year career in the regular season, Harrison has 82.5 sacks and 570 tackles.
The Patriots didn’t bring him in because of his regular season stats but what he can do in the playoffs. Harrison has appeared in 19 playoff games with a total of 11 sacks. Harrison can also create turnovers and has 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.
The Patriots are hoping Harrison can create pressure on the quarterback and bring them down for a sack. The Patriots defense has a total of 38 sacks heading into Sunday’s game, ranking 12th in the NFL. Harrison adds another pass rusher. If Harrison doesn’t sack the quarterback, his presence near them will force him to throw the football sooner than he wants to which could be overthrows. Those will equal turnovers. In tight playoff games, that might be the difference in field position for Tom Brady to score.
The Patriots are more dangerous on defense. The only way this move doesn’t work out is if Harrison plays poorly and doesn’t have the speed to make plays out on the field. If that is the case, this was a wasted move. On paper, this should help the Patriots make a deep run, maybe even a return trip to the Super Bowl.
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