Why Sunday's defensive meltdown was not as worrisome

[Marko]

Everyone, is all over the defense again for Sunday's meltdown but frankly it doesn't worry me as much as past games for a few reasons. As long as Wilfork and Warren are back for the playoffs other teams won't be able to run the ball up the gut at will, having Wilfork and Warren out on the d-line is as big a loss as this defense can have. The other thing that was huge was the starting field position for 2 of the Texans drives was around the Pats thirty five, so it was the inability of the offense to move the ball at all coupled with the defensive meltdown that killed us sunday.
Which leads us to the offense, Why can't they move the ball at all in the second half? Agreed, the play-calling is terrible, but that doesn't stop them in the first half. Are we tipping our plays, as far as run and pass (not that anyone is guessing)?

 

[alvinnf]

The DC was riding to the hospital after the first 3 qtrs. That didn't help the situation.

 

[Marko]

The DC was riding to the hospital after the first 3 qtrs. That didn't help the situation.

True Dat!!!!!!!!!

 

[mgcolby]

I believe the 2nd half offensive woes have had a huge affect on the "defensive" woes this season. When the offense moves the ball well for 4 quarters our defense plays well for 4 quarters. But when our offense goes 3 and out, 5 and out etc... for the better part of a half it puts a lot of pressure on the defense.

What I don't get, is why we insist on coming out 3 wide when we have a chance to win or ice the game. I am hoping we see a lot of 2TE/2WR/1RB and 2TE/1WR/2RB sets late in the game if we have a lead. The offense needs a game icing 12 play 7-9 minute scoring drive to put the dagger in the other team.

A lot of folks on here have amnesia when thinking back to our "good ol' days" and forget that our offense in many of the big wins over high octane offenses, were due to our offenses ability to manufacture multiple time killing drives, taking a lot of pressure off the defense.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I don't think there's any way to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear of a 21 point fourth quarter by your opponent. Sorry. Maybe you can argue that Pees' illness was a mitigating factor, but if you listen to 90% of people on this board, his absence (though not for such a reason) would be a plus!

 

[SeymourTrophies]

The collapse doesn't bother me as much as it would because multiple important players were inactive. Blowing that kind of lead is never ideal, but I'm not getting upset about it. I'm actually sort of glad we went 10-6 because of our draft positioning.

 

[Spiral]

The less Wilhite is on the field, the less worried I'll be. You just can't hide a guy who's that much of a liability, especially at corner.

 

[Sicilian]

I don't think there's any way to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear of a 21 point fourth quarter by your opponent. Sorry. Maybe you can argue that Pees' illness was a mitigating factor, but if you listen to 90% of people on this board, his absence (though not for such a reason) would be a plus!

I'm actually a Pees defender, but think of it this way. It's not a good thing to let your six year old son drive your car. But if he's already doing it, and you're on the highway, and suddenly he just tuck and roll's out the door, you're not better off. You're going to crash.

 

[Fencer]

The collapse doesn't bother me as much as it would because multiple important players were inactive. Blowing that kind of lead is never ideal, but I'm not getting upset about it. I'm actually sort of glad we went 10-6 because of our draft positioning.

Personally, I hope our regular season record winds up having no effect on our draft positioning whatsoever.

But if it does have an effect, which regrettably is the way to bet -- then yeah, the lower the record the better.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'm actually a Pees defender, but think of it this way. It's not a good thing to let your six year old son drive your car. But if he's already doing it, and you're on the highway, and suddenly he just tuck and roll's out the door, you're not better off. You're going to crash.

I'm neutral on Pees, as I really don't have a view on what's caused the problems on D beyond the fact that "they are what they are" and I wish they would end.

Gee, I hope the kid lands on the grass and not the highway...

 

[TheComeback]

The offense wasn't nearly as bad you're making it out to be. The drove well in the third quarter and scored a touchdown early in the fourth. It is not the offense's fault that the defense gave up three touchdowns in 12 minutes. They had a chance to make plays on 3rd and 15 and 3rd and 12 and they failed. You can't blame that on the other side of the ball. It makes absolutely no sense.

 

[pao]

Everyone, is all over the defense again for Sunday's meltdown but frankly it doesn't worry me as much as past games for a few reasons. As long as Wilfork and Warren are back for the playoffs other teams won't be able to run the ball up the gut at will, having Wilfork and Warren out on the d-line is as big a loss as this defense can have. The other thing that was huge was the starting field position for 2 of the Texans drives was around the Pats thirty five, so it was the inability of the offense to move the ball at all coupled with the defensive meltdown that killed us sunday.
Which leads us to the offense, Why can't they move the ball at all in the second half? Agreed, the play-calling is terrible, but that doesn't stop them in the first half. Are we tipping our plays, as far as run and pass (not that anyone is guessing)?

I believe you are right on regarding Wilfork and Warren. Any team that loses the equivalent of those two, and Wilfork in particular, is going to have problems defending the running game. I pity the Ravens. They're going to run into a buzz saw this weekend.

 

[The Dynasty]

I believe you are right on regarding Wilfork and Warren. Any team that loses the equivalent of those two, and Wilfork in particular, is going to have problems defending the running game. I pity the Ravens. They're going to run into a buzz saw this weekend.

I dont even think the run defense was an issue in the 4th quarter in Sundays game. They didnt have any long runs in thr 4th. The issue with the scoring 21 points in the 4th was the play of the secondary. Sure, the Texans got the ball in Pats territory 2 out of the 3 times they scored but the D has got to step up and atleast hold them to 3. That is where you win games in the playoffs. Warren and Wilfork will definitely help, but in the 4th quarter Sunday you cant blame the fall on them not playing you have to blame it on the secondary.

 

[Patriots2001]

The problem i have with it is has become a pattern and pattern's are hard to break.You can't tell me that if the Pats have a sizable lead going into the 4th quarter that some doubt will not cross minds and start to make them think about it and sometimes that's all it takes.

 

[mgcolby]

The offense wasn't nearly as bad you're making it out to be. The drove well in the third quarter and scored a touchdown early in the fourth. It is not the offense's fault that the defense gave up three touchdowns in 12 minutes. They had a chance to make plays on 3rd and 15 and 3rd and 12 and they failed. You can't blame that on the other side of the ball. It makes absolutely no sense.

We played against the league's leading passer and the best receiver in football without our best corner. Our QB came out twice during the game, we didn't have our 3rd down RB or our two best D-linemen. And our DC left the game in the 3rd quarter.

 

[The Dynasty]

The offense wasn't nearly as bad you're making it out to be. The drove well in the third quarter and scored a touchdown early in the fourth. It is not the offense's fault that the defense gave up three touchdowns in 12 minutes. They had a chance to make plays on 3rd and 15 and 3rd and 12 and they failed. You can't blame that on the other side of the ball. It makes absolutely no sense.

I agree. Most of the season the blame has been put on the offensive for putting too much pressure on the defense and being the cause for some losses, but Sunday the blame has to go to the defense. When a team scores 27 points in the NFL you would expect to win the game. 21 points in the 4th quarter is unacceptable. It doesnt matter that the offense gave you poor field position to work with, step up and hold them to 3 just one of those possestions and you win the game. Playoff football is all about what happens in the red zone. Teams that can keep their opponent out of the endzone and hold them to FGs have a good chance of winning games.

 

[Intommywetrst]

The DC was riding to the hospital after the first 3 qtrs. That didn't help the situation.

I was thinking the same thing. Between Welker going down and then that, mentally they must have all been a little messed up.