hallfamebrady
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I am reading some of the posts about the Patriots defense and I think I am reading about a reincarnation the 1985 Bears. Felger is getting slammed for being critical about their play and people are comparing McCourty and Chung to Law and Milloy.
Based on what I have seen this season, the Patriots D is definitely a liability. Teams are able to move the ball and score points against them fairly easily. However, I have seen some positive signs in terms of the number of turnovers and the ability to stop the run in critical situations.
Some observations:
The Pats have been unable to close out games in the second half when teams move primarily to the pass. The Patriots have played from ahead in seven of the nine games they have won this season. In almost every case, the opponents were trying to balance the run and the pass which failed to work in the first half. The Colts even tried to run the ball in the first half despite their lack of success. The Pats were able to take leads during these games. Once these teams were forced into primarily a passing offense, almost every single one of these teams was able to move the ball at will making several of these games close. As a result, the Pats let several of these teams back in the game despite having healthy leads. The Buffalo, SD, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Indy games are prime examples. I wonder why opposing teams have insisted running the ball against the Pats in the first half despite these trends.
In their two come from behind winning efforts (Baltimore and Detroit), the trend of giving up significant passing yards was still present. The Ravens continued to run the ball despite their lack of success and their success passing the ball. The Ravens ran the ball 34 times for 99 yards and the Ravens were 27 / 34 for 278 in the air. I truly believe the Pats would have lost this game if the Ravens game plan called for more passing.
The current defense has shown the ability to create timely turnovers which is a signature line of any great defense. The Detroit comeback was possible based on the defense’s ability to create turnovers. Like other teams, the Lions were able to move the ball at will on the Patriots pass defense. The timely turnovers stopped critical drives. The D has been able to create critical turnovers all season which has propelled the success of the defense all season. Key turnovers played a role in their wins over Cincinnati, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Indy, and Detroit. I think this trend is a credit to their defensive schemes and the athleticism of their players.
The Pats rushing defense has been very good to excellent all season. The D has only allowed one 100 yard rusher. In addition, the defensive stats show the Pats two worst days against the run are also their only two losses of the season. Although rushing against stats are often an indicator of a loss, the Pats poor pass defense was the true cause of the loss against the Jets. The Pats were leading the Jets game up until halftime. The Jets then decided to open up their offense and pass the ball in the direction of Darius Butler. The run opened up when the Pats over compensated to stop the pass. The Pats got man handled against Cleveland and the defense had a complete meltdown that day. However, the run D has been a strength all season.
Based on this information, I have the following questions comments.
What is going to happen if an opposing team game plans an offense completely based on the pass against the Pats?
If Chung, McCourty, and Merriweather are all average to above average players, how do we explain the success teams are having with the pass against the pass? Are these players making individual great individual plays while playing below average the rest of the game? Are Butler / Arrington that bad?
I am interested in comments.
Based on what I have seen this season, the Patriots D is definitely a liability. Teams are able to move the ball and score points against them fairly easily. However, I have seen some positive signs in terms of the number of turnovers and the ability to stop the run in critical situations.
Some observations:
The Pats have been unable to close out games in the second half when teams move primarily to the pass. The Patriots have played from ahead in seven of the nine games they have won this season. In almost every case, the opponents were trying to balance the run and the pass which failed to work in the first half. The Colts even tried to run the ball in the first half despite their lack of success. The Pats were able to take leads during these games. Once these teams were forced into primarily a passing offense, almost every single one of these teams was able to move the ball at will making several of these games close. As a result, the Pats let several of these teams back in the game despite having healthy leads. The Buffalo, SD, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Indy games are prime examples. I wonder why opposing teams have insisted running the ball against the Pats in the first half despite these trends.
In their two come from behind winning efforts (Baltimore and Detroit), the trend of giving up significant passing yards was still present. The Ravens continued to run the ball despite their lack of success and their success passing the ball. The Ravens ran the ball 34 times for 99 yards and the Ravens were 27 / 34 for 278 in the air. I truly believe the Pats would have lost this game if the Ravens game plan called for more passing.
The current defense has shown the ability to create timely turnovers which is a signature line of any great defense. The Detroit comeback was possible based on the defense’s ability to create turnovers. Like other teams, the Lions were able to move the ball at will on the Patriots pass defense. The timely turnovers stopped critical drives. The D has been able to create critical turnovers all season which has propelled the success of the defense all season. Key turnovers played a role in their wins over Cincinnati, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Indy, and Detroit. I think this trend is a credit to their defensive schemes and the athleticism of their players.
The Pats rushing defense has been very good to excellent all season. The D has only allowed one 100 yard rusher. In addition, the defensive stats show the Pats two worst days against the run are also their only two losses of the season. Although rushing against stats are often an indicator of a loss, the Pats poor pass defense was the true cause of the loss against the Jets. The Pats were leading the Jets game up until halftime. The Jets then decided to open up their offense and pass the ball in the direction of Darius Butler. The run opened up when the Pats over compensated to stop the pass. The Pats got man handled against Cleveland and the defense had a complete meltdown that day. However, the run D has been a strength all season.
Based on this information, I have the following questions comments.
What is going to happen if an opposing team game plans an offense completely based on the pass against the Pats?
If Chung, McCourty, and Merriweather are all average to above average players, how do we explain the success teams are having with the pass against the pass? Are these players making individual great individual plays while playing below average the rest of the game? Are Butler / Arrington that bad?
I am interested in comments.