fnordcircle

We've learned that no matter what people say about the 'new NFL', no matter how many offensive records get broken, no matter how many lopsided scores the Patriots can put up, we've learned one thing:

Defense still wins championships.

Baltimore's defense, even with Pees at the helm, was able to dictate the pace of that game - not our offense. And so they kicked our ass.

Just like the Giants were able to contain, dictate and win in 2007 and 2011. Just like the Jets defense was able to contain dictate and win in 2010. Just like the Ravens were able to do to us in 2009.

Yes, I'm oversimplifying. The Ravens had some great offensive performances too. Yes, Welker's drop changed the tone of that game. But there's a reason why those key drops used to happen to the Patriots' opponents and now they happen to us. It's because the defense is setting the tone and receivers start pressing. Wes wasn't scared he was getting ahead of himself rather than worrying about catching the ball because our opportunities against that defense were limited.

You can list all the stats you want. You can point out all the blown opportunities from last night that you want. You can do that going back to 2007. The one static amidst all of those variables is that 5 out of the 6 seasons going back to 2007 have ended at the hands of a team with an inferior offense and a far superior defense.

The good news is that I think we're making a lot of positive strides. I think that the loss of Talib robbed us of our ability to play aggressive - something that had help our defense really turn things around. I think the players are there - but we'll need another half season and we'll need to get healthy again.

I think we'll have a top 10 defense next year. But the lack of one this year is why we failed and why we've continued to fail for a while now.

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ctpatsfan77

Wouldn't an equally valid inference be "Poorly timed offensive injuries lose championships?"

2007: Lose Stephen Neal and Kevin Faulk in SB
2009: Lose Welker for season in Week 17
2011: Lose GRONK for second half of AFCCG, hobbled in SB
2012: Lose GRONK for postseason in first quarter of playoffs

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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ausbacker

Here I was thinking touchdowns won championships. Silly me.

The Pats were pathetic in the red zone. Baltimore wasn't.

fnordcircle

I don't believe in cause and effect either.

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ausbacker

I'm not disagreeing with you in regards to needing a great D. In today's game, there's not too many defenses that could defend 13 points.

Steve:Section 102

The two hardest hitting defenses in the playoffs made the Super Bowl. I do not think this was an accident.

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Patriot_in_NY

We'll, I'm not sure I buy into the "Defense wins Championships" as much as you do, at least in this particular case. There are better defenses out there then Baltimore and the Giants. I think those particular defenses are the kryptonite for our particular offense. That's it.

We torched better defenses consistently, but we've always struggle with those 2. I think it's a matter of their personal, collectively, just understand our offensive schemes. They defense concepts, instead of personnel.

Besides, I don't think Baltimore's defense was the root cause of that loss. We move the ball fine. We just failed to execute at moments we are usually very good at executing (Red zone). We had our chances. Defense played better then offense on the whole, but still, losing Talib doomed us at keeping the Ravens under 20 points.

Marqui

Exactly. Pats rely on too many soft finesse players on defense.

BSR

We do? I can think of one safety and that is about it.

IllegalContact

that's funny.......I can't think of any safeties..........that are actually safeties........they all suck

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“ I think good coaches will coach with the personnel they have, and if you only have one (good) linebacker, you’re not going to play a 3–4. ”
—Hank Bullough, who installed one of the first 3–4 defenses with the New England Patriots.