Do Patriots Boast NFL's Best Pass-Rushing Duo?

The New England Patriots ranked third in the NFL with 54 sacks a season ago, with Matthew Judon (15.5) and Josh Uche (11.5) leading the way.

The New England Patriots edge-rushing duo of Matthew Judon and Josh Uche quickly emerged as one of the NFL's best in 2022. 

Judon, one of the league's elite since being drafted in 2016, took his game to another level last season - posting a career-high 15.5 sacks while receiving his fourth career Pro Bowl nod. But it was the growth from Uche that made this New England defense one of the league's very best. In his third career season, the University of Michigan product registered 11.5 sacks, 27 total tackles (nine for loss), 14 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

And for their ability to into the backfield, Bleacher Report ranked the Patriots tandem as an Honorable Mention in its Best Pass-Rushing duos entering 2023. 

"Among the honorable mentions, Matt Judon and Josh Uche are the only pair that logged 11.5-plus sacks apiece in one term," Bleacher Report writes. "Judon has earned four Pro Bowl nods, and he's coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 12.5 sacks. Uche had a breakout 2022 campaign in a reserve role—on the field for just 38 percent of the defensive snaps."

B/R ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers (T.J. Watt-Cameron Heyward) No. 1 among pass-rush teammates.

With Uche finishing second on the Patriots - and 12th in the entire NFL - in sacks while playing less than half of the total defensive snaps, makes the two-man punch that much more intriguing for next season. Comparatively, Judon logged 504 more total snaps while playing just two more games than his pass-rushing counterpart. 

If New England aspires to finish at the top of the league in defense just as it did a year ago, the trenches will play a big role in leading the charge. 

---

Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.