I took a look at the stats today and I am wondering if the Pats defensive struggles are schematic, personnel, or a product of the teams they have faced.
3 of the team the Pats have played are in the top 10 of the league in total yards, Chargers, Raiders and Bills. Miami is 16th. All of the teams in question have elite offensive players, Rivers and Jackson (SD), Marshall (Miami), Johnson (Buf) and McFadden (Oak).
My question to the board is this are we, as fans too worried that the Pats D is giving up so many yards considering who the Pats have played?
If the answer is no what are the culprits?
I personally believe its a combination of factors, lack of secondary depth, new personnel adapting to a new scheme and to some extent injuries on the DL and now at LB. However the more I look at the Pats opponents and the stats I do wonder if we, as fans, are over reacting when we consider the quality of the offenses the Pats have played.
On the flip side of this the Pats have faced only 1 top 10 defense, SD. Is the Pats offensive prowess overstated?