Defending the Patriots Defense

[PatsFans.com Article]

Defending the Patriots Defense
By: Mike Saver

After letting Peyton Manning throw for almost 400 yards and 4 touchdowns (including 2 in the fourth quarter) last Sunday, the Patriots defense is once again under serious scrutiny....

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[RayClay]

I am thrilled with the way our defense is playing. As noted, we have faced some top passing teams. People don't realize we had 3 cornerbacks total against Peyton Manning?

We are winning exactly the same against top passing teams as our glory years. Keep the ball out of the end zone, make them throw it a lot and get turnovers. Except we are doing it with younger talent and injuries in the secondary.

 

[shirtsleeve]

I would love to see how the D ranks at the end of 3 quarters. If such stats exist. I am of the belief that much of the yards and points are in the 4th quarter when the Pats change up the scheme when they are ahead, trying to use clock, and not caring if other teams drive then...

 

[jmt57]

I would love to see how the D ranks at the end of 3 quarters. If such stats exist. I am of the belief that much of the yards and points are in the 4th quarter when the Pats change up the scheme when they are ahead, trying to use clock, and not caring if other teams drive then...

I don't know about the whole year, but if I recall correctly I saw a stat somewhere that Pittsburgh got almost 200 yards in the last half of the 4th quarter. It was something along the lines of 45% of their yards came after the Pats were leading by 19 with half a quarter to play.

 

[shirtsleeve]

I don't know about the whole year, but if I recall correctly I saw a stat somewhere that Pittsburgh got almost 200 yards in the last half of the 4th quarter. It was something along the lines of 45% of their yards came after the Pats were leading by 19 with half a quarter to play.

same thing last week vs Indy.

 

[RayClay]

I don't know about the whole year, but if I recall correctly I saw a stat somewhere that Pittsburgh got almost 200 yards in the last half of the 4th quarter. It was something along the lines of 45% of their yards came after the Pats were leading by 19 with half a quarter to play.

Since i never cared, I wouldn't keep track, but doesn't it make sense this defense would need to be clever to beat some of these teams?

Total yards means absolutely nothing. Since they are outmatched at most positions (one top lineman being moved around to maximize the play of a bunch of nobodies, one good looking rookie CB, a nobody and a disappointment, pretty green bunch of linebackers) they try to make teams throw it a lot and hope they can make some athletic plays.

Where people think that bunch can cover and sack Peyton, his line and his receivers at will and cause three and outs by aggressive coverage is just beyond me. It's absurd.

They are finding ways to win with one genius and a bunch of apt, overachieving students.

 

[RayClay]

For the stat heads, there's 99 yards in each direction that don't count, in case you didn't know.:bricks:

 

[shirtsleeve]

For the stat heads, there's 99 yards in each direction that don't count, in case you didn't know.:bricks:

That was kinda my point. Stats can lie, and sometimes scheme (such as the prevent) will dictate that teams can move the ball more readily underneath. Its by design. Additonally, the two gap 3-4 base is not an attacking defense by nature, and there will be yards gained against it. Again, by design. I was just wondering how things would look when these schemes weren't in use is all.

 

[RayClay]

That was kinda my point. Stats can lie, and sometimes scheme (such as the prevent) will dictate that teams can move the ball more readily underneath. Its by design. Additonally, the two gap 3-4 base is not an attacking defense by nature, and there will be yards gained against it. Again, by design. I was just wondering how things would look when these schemes weren't in use is all.

That's how we beat Peyton when we had prime Harrison, Law, Bruschi and McGinest, I don't know why people think we can cover everyone and get pressure at will with this group and stop him on downs.

I think it's been pretty well established we are employing all kinds of defensive schemes. I guess you could call some of it "prevent", but the idea we're going to purposely dare him to go for long bombs seems absurd. It's just the way we've played Manning, at least when we've been successful.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

It should also be noted that the Patriots defense has given up the third fewest penalty yards this year (440).

Despite giving up a lot of yards, they are making the other team earn those yards. They are not making stupid mistakes, allowing drives to stay alive due to penalties.

The opposing team is getting a lot of passing yards because they are playing from behind.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Despite giving up a lot of yards, they are making the other team earn those yards. They are not making stupid mistakes, allowing drives to stay alive due to penalties.

The opposing team is getting a lot of passing yards because they are playing from behind.

Af
After watching NFLN Replay, I was struck by how hard the Colts had to earn their TD's in the first half.

As such, it should suprise nobody that the defense would seal the victory

 

[fair catch fryar]

Despite giving up a lot of yards, they are making the other team earn those yards. They are not making stupid mistakes, allowing drives to stay alive due to penalties.

The opposing team is getting a lot of passing yards because they are playing from behind.

As frustrating as it is to watch the Pats play a prevent defense when trying to hold on to a lead, especially against the Colts, the one thing different than last year is the how much better they're tackling. I don't know how their opponents YAC(yards after catch) compared form this year to last, but I would assume that it is better. You throw in the athleticism and quickness of our defense and I would think they will only get better at creating turnovers and taking advantage of it.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Af
After watching NFLN Replay, I was struck by how hard the Colts had to earn their TD's in the first half.

As such, it should suprise nobody that the defense would seal the victory

No doubt. Some of those passes were perfectly placed only to be caught by a stretched out receiver or brought down by "Twinkle Toes" Flintstone himself just to stay in-bounds.
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