Patriots Defense Just Hit Milestone After 5 Games

The now Vrabel-led Patriots have returned to their run-stuffing roots that helped create their dynasty with Belichick and Tom Brady.

Except now the Pats hit this rare franchise mark, noted by the Patriots communications office.

"The Patriots are the only team in the NFL this season to not have allowed a 50-yard rushing game from a running back through the first five games. This is the first time New England has done this in its history," the account posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

Running Backs the Patriots Bottled This Season

Here's each running back the Pats have contained through the early part of the year.

Ashton Jeanty: The Las Vegas Raiders rookie scored once, but settled for only 38 yards rushing.

De'Von Achane: Miami Dolphins running back averaged only 2.7 yards per game and finished with 30 yards to lead his team.

Jaylen Warren: The Pittsburgh Steelers RB carried the ball 18 times but ended with 47 yards.

Chuba Hubbard: Carolina's RB1 came close to 50 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry -- but N.E. held the Panthers starter to 49 in the 42-13 Patriots rout.

James Cook: While Allen led all Bills rushers with 53 yards, the starting RB finished with only 49 and averaged 3.3 yards per carry.

N.E. clearly did its best work against the Sunday foe, as Buffalo ranks second in the league in rushing offense.

Meanwhile, only the New York Jets are the last remaining opponent to field a top five rushing offense that Vrabel and company will see.

Who's leading the new wave of defenders in Foxborough? Key free agent pickup Robert Spillane is tops with 39 tackles including 24 solo. Fellow LB Christian Elliss follows with 34 total tackles and 17 individual stops.

Vrabel has discovered a new defensive weapon, though, in safety Craig Woodson -- who's delivered four tackles behind the line of scrimmage and is third in tackles. His former California Golden Bears teammate Jaylinn Hawkins has stepped up too with 23 tackles and two stops behind the line.

Vrabel made his pro living stuffing the run along with serving as a closet tight end for Brady. But he's visibly reinstalled a fierce stuff-the-run attitude at a place that briefly lost that identity -- and is now rekindling it in the first five games.