Patriots defense played like a vicious throwback to dynasty era

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I say this with appreciation for what we saw Monday night, and a bit of surprise, too:

When, exactly, did the Patriots defense get so vicious?

In the Patriots’ 33-15 victory over the Giants , the defense, led by linebacker Christian Elliss, set a violent tone almost immediately.

To a man, they walloped the Giants like they were trying to somehow avenge the two Super Bowl losses (sorry), or that quarterback Jaxson Dart had made a mean Tik-Tok about one of their family members, or that they were out to prove they’re on their way to earning a cool nickname, like the Legion of Boom or the Steel Curtain.

OK, maybe they weren’t quite that dominating, but this was the most vicious – yes, that is the ri