It’s playoff time for the Patriots, which means it’s also Dont’a Hightower time

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

If the Patriots want to make it back to the Super Bowl this time, they'll need linebacker Dont'a Hightower to play like he typically does in January (and February).

It's playoff time for the Patriots. Which means it's also time for Hightower to take his game to another level, which is usually at a higher level than most players on the field.

Hightower's impact on the Patriots defense in the playoffs can be traced to one simple number. They've made four Super Bowls in Hightower's career. They're 3-0 when he plays, and 0-1 when he doesn't.

They certainly missed Hightower's presence in Super Bowl LII against the Eagles, a night where the team desperately needed someone on defense to make a play. But with Hightower absent, they suffered through an excruciating 60 minutes of Nick Foles thrashing them for 41 points and 538 total yards, all while generating virtually no pressure up front.

Contrast that with Hightower's strip-sack on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in Super Bowl LI just a year before that. The play completely changed the game and spurred the Patriots' historic comeback from a 28-3 deficit. And you can also point to Hightower's tackle on Marshawn Lynch at the 1-yard line late in Super Bowl XLIX, which at the time felt like a nondescript play that was delaying the inevitable. Instead, the Seahawks decided to pass the ball and Malcolm Butler altered the course of both franchises forever. It wasn't possible without Hightower.

Hightower didn't necessarily make a "signature play" last February against the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. But he led the team with two sacks and tied with Kyle Van Noy for the team lead with three QB hits. He remains the defensive captain and the straw that stirs the defense's drink.

So if the Patriots want to get past a tough matchup in the Titans offense, and then win at least one (if not two) road games to get back to the Super Bowl? They're going to need Hightower playing at a high level and keeping his teammates in position to do the same, which he always does on the biggest stages.

"He’s been a leader for us," said safety Devin McCourty. "He’s been the guy that calls the huddle. He knows where everyone’s aligned, and I think he doesn’t budge in these big games. He goes out there and plays his best. He’s a guy when we haven’t had him, we’ve missed him a lot, and when we do have him, it’s a pleasure to have him out there. We know he’s going to make plays because he knows where he’s aligned, he knows where everybody is supposed to be and we kind of count on that."

Hightower has appeared to kick it into playoff mode already in recent weeks, despite ending up with a disappointing result against Miami in Week 17. He made 11 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three QB hits in the final two games of the regular season, which the Patriots had said they were treating like playoff games.

They didn't live up to that description against the Dolphins, but it's hard to put much blame on Hightower, who has looked like his usual playoff self. The key is to continue it into January and hope that the rest of the defense follows, starting with the Titans. Because if the Patriots want to make to it four straight Super Bowls, they'll need Hightower to take over like he often does in these games.

"He just always seems to turn it up when the lights are brightest," said inside linebackers coach and former teammate Jerod Mayo two weeks ago. "Hopefully this week is no different."

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.