New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower believes that he was trying to do too much early in the season when trying to replace Jerod Mayo.

The Patriots lost their signal-caller on defense when Mayo was ruled out for the campaign, thrusting Hightower into the role while also being forced to be their every-down linebacker.

"Usually whenever guys try to step up and be a vocal leader or try to do too much outside the box than what they normally do, they kind of put themselves in an awkward position, as well as everybody else. I've been there, done that, trying to do too much," Hightower told reporters.

"It didn't work for me. I fell back. But everything is finally coming back to play. As long as everybody does their job, nobody has to go outside the box and be outside the comfort zone."

Bill Belichick's side face the Indianapolis Colts in their Divisional Round playoff clash on Saturday.