Patriots defense (PPG) moves up to #17 in NFL

[Pessimistic Pete]

21.1 PPG.

Slowly but surely they're working they're way towards the top 15.

If Matt Flynn starts for the Packers next week (possible) which helps the Patriots shut the Packers out (possible) the Patriots scoring defense would mostly likely enter the Top 10 in scoring (19.7) defense.

 

[xmarkd400x]

21.1 PPG.

Slowly but surely they're working they're way towards the top 15.

If Matt Flynn starts for the Packers next week (possible) which helps the Patriots shut the Packers out (possible) the Patriots scoring defense would mostly likely enter the Top 10 in scoring (19.7) defense.

Your getting dangerously close to optimistic, Pessimistic Pete!

 

[DarrylS]

I also think we are something like + 18 in the turnover ratio statistic...

 

[Kid~Brady]

21.1 PPG.

Slowly but surely they're working they're way towards the top 15.

If Matt Flynn starts for the Packers next week (possible) which helps the Patriots shut the Packers out (possible) the Patriots scoring defense would mostly likely enter the Top 10 in scoring (19.7) defense.

Good post, I actually checked this after the Bears game myself and was surprised. 2 shutouts and we look like a totally different defense. This is why you can't always go by what the stats say. I could care less what we rank as long as we keep creating those turnovers.

I said it before, this defense reminds me of the 2009 Saints. Give up yards but make big plays and create turnovers

 

[Kontradiction]

They're moving up late in the season like the '01 defense did. Hopefully this team goes the way of that one. One things for sure, though, this defense looks a lot better than last year's "5th ranked" defense.

 

[Metaphors]

21.1 PPG.

Slowly but surely they're working they're way towards the top 15.

If Matt Flynn starts for the Packers next week (possible) which helps the Patriots shut the Packers out (possible) the Patriots scoring defense would mostly likely enter the Top 10 in scoring (19.7) defense.

Good points. Also consider:

- Buffalo will be without Lee Evans
- Miami will be eliminated from playoffs and wanting to be anywhere but Foxboro
- Injured players like Wright and Pryor will start filtering back soon

I like the odds of the Pats defense peaking in confidence and production as they head into the playoffs. If the defense can be reasonably expected to keep playoff teams at around 20 points, I can't see the Pats losing at home.

 

[JackBauer]

They're moving up late in the season like the '01 defense did. Hopefully this team goes the way of that one. One things for sure, though, this defense looks a lot better than last year's "5th ranked" defense.

It's also a bit like 2005, when the defense flipped on a dime from being terrible to respectable.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's also a bit like 2005, when the defense flipped on a dime from being terrible to respectable.

I guess you can say that, though the 2005 turnaround was more or less about getting people back and healthy. This turnaround (and 2001's) is more about new faces getting more and more comfortable in the system as well as understanding that they're going to have to bring their A-game every week.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I guess you can say that, though the 2005 turnaround was more or less about getting people back and healthy. This turnaround (and 2001's) is more about new faces getting more and more comfortable in the system as well as understanding that they're going to have to bring their A-game every week.

I would say it has more to do with knowing that the A game requires 60 minutes of football. The reality is they have been much better "situational football" defense in 2010 than in 2005.

My guess is that's why BB gots the guys together in the Jets game. The reality is they were dominant against the Colts/Chargers/Steelers/Bengals but were less than stellar in the much debated "prevent" mode.

 

[ATippett56]

Also consider:

- Miami will be eliminated from playoffs and wanting to be anywhere but Foxboro

Next two games for the Miami Dolphins: Buf @ Mia, Det @ Mia

 

[Kontradiction]

I would say it has more to do with knowing that the A game requires 60 minutes of football. The reality is they have been much better "situational football" defense in 2010 than in 2005.

My guess is that's why BB gots the guys together in the Jets game. The reality is they were dominant against the Colts/Chargers/Steelers/Bengals but were less than stellar in the much debated "prevent" mode.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I meant pfip. This week, as good and as dominant as that win was, was kind of sloppy in the second half, though. Someone else mentioned it in the chat room, and I think it bears repeating, that it looked like the defense took their foot off the gas particularly in the 4th quarter. It's understandable when you look at the lead and the weather, but there are certainly improvements that can be made going into this week's game.

 

[ATippett56]

The reality is they were dominant against the Colts.

More like fortunate.

 

[Fencer]

Possible adjustments:

1. Defense has had it easy, because the offense hasn't been saddling it with bad field position from TOs.

2. Defense's #2 job is to hand the offense good field position, and it's been particularly good at getting TOs. On the other hand, they haven't necessarily been giving the offense great field position; rather, they've been saving scores after giving up a lot of yards.

3. Whatever you think about garbage time/prevent defense.

 

[ALP]

what are you guys talking about?

the pats defense is horrible, just look at how many yards they give up a game...

 

[mgteich]

We were 5th or 6th last year. The reality is that regular season stats don't matter at all in the playoffs. We were 5th in points allowed in last year's regular season. A lot of good it did us!

We have three games to win in the post season. How the defense plays in those three games will be critical to the success of the team. It really is that simple.

 

[Rob0729]

I think the Pats' defense hasn't been nearly as bad as their rankings for a while. The Steelers got a lot of garbage time yards and a score or two.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

More like fortunate.

Well,...actually....no

The Colts were fortunate in that they were given the chance to come back.