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Bedard On Felger & Mazz: Defense Up, Offensive Line Down In Pats Win Over Raiders

BOSTON (CBS) -- While it wasn't a pretty game to watch once, the tape has been reviewed from Sunday's Patriots-Raiders game and The MMQB's Greg Bedard is ready to pass along his "3 Ups, 3 Downs" from New England's 16-9 win.

Bedard joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Mazz for his weekly visit on Tuesday, and has a trio of defensive players as the bright spots from Sunday's game.

3 Ups

Dont'a Hightower: "He is my number one. He had three QB pressures and was really good in pass coverage, which is usually one of his weaknesses," said Bedard. "He just looks more confident and knows what is going on. Compared to the last couple years when he seemed tentative, now he's reading and reacting and going with the flow… He's been terrific."

Jerod Mayo: "Was great in the middle and has been getting better every week. The first week he was a little rusty coming off the injury, but four quarterback pressures and his normal stellar self against the run."

Chandler Jones: "The guy continues to be all over the place, batted a few passes and rushed the quarterback. He's been terrific ever since they got him out of the five-technique in Week 1, and the Pats have let him do his thing."

3 Downs

Nate Solder: "[He was responsible for] five QB pressures and I had him for five bad run blocks. He was just... not good. It's a tough thing to deal with because hes very smart and cerebral, and I think he might be a little sensitive.

"Someone needs to put their boot up his rear. He is much better than this."

Marcus Cannon: "Five QB pressures and 1 1/2 stuffed runs allowed. It's not good," said Bedard. "It's not like the blind side is important to the passing game."

Michael Hoomanawanui: "He cannot run block, unless it's set up for him," said Bedard. "Part of the problem with the run game is they need Gronk to be Gronk. They keep running a sixth offensive lineman or Hooman out there. They need Gronk from a few years ago, who was the best run blocker in the game.

"Because of injuries, (Gronkowski) is far from that player."

Bedard also has some criticism of the play of Darrelle Revis, who while he's played well, isn't playing up to his $12 million contract for this season.

"What I see is him being a little lazy. He's getting turned around and kind of going through the motions," said Bedard.

That led Michael Felger to ask if Revis is dogging it, or if he's lost a step?

"The proof is going to be in the pudding. With Belichick and this defense they have an MO, even though they're doing more with this group as far as blitzes and coverages than they have before. Normally they're very vanilla for the first half of the season, install incrementally, and over the last months they unleash things and are allowed to do things. They're a lot more accelerated at this point, but I do think Bill is holding back Revis for some of the matchups," he said. "But we're getting into those games soon – Cincinnati's A.J. Green, The Broncos,– they need Revis to be Revis. So we'll know."

Watch the segment above!

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