The last time a Rob Ryan-led defense faced the New England Patriots, the Pats’ offense was uncharacteristically frustrated. As the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns a year ago, Ryan orchestrated a game plan that allowed New England just 283 total yards, and went a long way in helping Cleveland to an unlikely 34-14 win in week nine.
This marks the last time that the Patriots were held to under 30 points.
In trying to match the success of the 2010 Browns, the Cowboys defense is prepared to dig deep into Ryan’s considerably large bag of tricks.
“I would say pretty much it’s the kitchen sink, to put it lightly,” said defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman of this week’s defensive game plan, per ESPN Dallas.
Coleman is one of two defensive players who followed Ryan to Dallas from Cleveland, the other being safety Abram Elam. Like Coleman, Elam didn’t offer much in the way of discussing the game plan--but he knows Ryan, and he knows that the defensive coordinator is looking forward to the challenge presented by the Pats.
“Anybody who knows Rob,” Elam said, “knows he’s relishing this game.”
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