Joejuan Williams steps up to help Patriots secondary

The Patriots secondary had their way with Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday. The veteran finished with 191 passing yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions by Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson and Adrian Philips.

This performance was very different from last year’s regular-season finale when Fitzpatrick threw for 320 yards to upset the Patriots at home. This time, the Pats had their usual veteran step up, but we also a newcomer take charge.

Joejuan [...]

The Patriots secondary had their way with Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday. The veteran finished with 191 passing yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions by Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson and Adrian Philips.

This performance was very different from last year’s regular-season finale when Fitzpatrick threw for 320 yards to upset the Patriots at home. This time, the Pats had their usual veteran step up, but we also a newcomer take charge.

Joejuan Williams barely played as a rookie in 2019, appearing in nine games and playing 80 total defensive snaps. On Sunday, the defensive back played 24 snaps to finish with two tackles and a pass deflection on third down. One of Fitzpatrick’s interceptions, the one to Jackson, came when Williams blanketed Mike Gesicki in the end zone.

"He had a couple really good plays, big plays – a pass breakup on third down, had good coverage there on the interception at the end of the game, kind of on the overthrow there," Belichick said. "Well, he took Gesicki away and couldn’t get the ball in there and J.C. intercepted it. Gesicki, he’s a big receiver. I mean, he’s not really a conventional tight end, but he’s a tough matchup in the passing game, and felt like JoeJuan matched up against him and did a good job."

Last year, Gesick caught four passes for 34 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins win over the Patriots. On Sunday, he caught three passes for 30 yards. Fitzpatrick was 1/3 for nine yards when throwing to Gesicki with Williams in coverage. The tight end caught his other two passes on Phillips.

Overall, Sunday was a dominant day for the Patriots cornerbacks. Gilmore allowed four atces on seven targets for 43 yards to go with his interception. Jackson only allowed one catch for 14 yards on his four targets to go with the pick. Fitzpatrick was also 0/3, with an interception to Phillips, when targeting Jonathan Jones.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ