### Patriots' Defensive Woes Highlighted as Week 8 Approaches

The New England Patriots are grappling with an unexpectedly poor defensive performance this season, finding themselves among the NFL's worst as Week 8 looms. Particularly concerning is their faltering run defense, which has noticeably declined. Former head coach Bill Belichick has expressed his dissatisfaction, notably taking Jerod Mayo and his defensive staff to task over the situation.

Despite Belichick's criticism, the response from both players and coaches has been largely nonchalant. DeMarcus Covington, speaking to reporters on Thursday as reported by ESPN's Mike Reiss, emphasized his gratitude for Belichick’s influence on his career rather than dwelling on the criticism. "Bill's done some great things for me. He's the one who brought me here. I learned a lot of great things from him," Covington remarked. Reflecting on his diverse coaching journey that included roles as the defensive line coach, and previously coaching both outside and inside linebackers, Covington conveyed a sense of resilience and commitment to improvement.

Covington, perceived as a promising elevation within the team's coaching ranks and a potential future head coach candidate, acknowledged the need for better performance. "I do know our run defense is going to get better. We'll do a better job on that. I'll do a better job on that," he assured, underscoring his belief in accountability.

As the Patriots head into a crucial matchup against a beleaguered Aaron Rodgers, the spotlight remains firmly on Covington and his defensive unit. A strong performance could rekindle some optimism for a team in desperate need of a turnaround.