Good article from Bedard: Defense Wasn't the problem

[Ian]

A good read if you haven't seen it:

Much-maligned defense wasn’t the problem - The Boston Globe

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I disagree in that while they weren't as big a problem as some anticipated they still had their moments. Like he said, the pass rush evaporated in the 4th quarter, the Ninkovitch penalty was a killer, three forced fumbles are meaningless if you can't capitalize by recovering even one, and even when they didn't give up as much as a FG they bent just enough that the offense was consistently losing the field position battle and a facing a rapidly ticking clock.

I think he's right that the future is less concerning now than it was mid season for this defense overall. They have several pieces in place. They need to resign or replace a couple of parts and infuse some more talent. Same deal on offense, though. A healthy Gronk might have made a big difference, but that just proves the margin remains too tight on the side of the ball routinely counted on to not only hold their own but outperform opponents.

I'll wait to see if and how his film review changes his perspective. Although I don't anticipate much of a change in his early assessment of Mankins.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

The D stepped up when they had too..just like vs the ravens..they got better with each game in the playoffs IMO

 

[MSU]

The highest paid guard in football comes up with yet another terrible performance in a big game, shocker! He's been doing it for years.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Defense definitely did it's job. In today's game, the offense always has the advantage down the stretch of games when the defense is required to make the stop. Our offense had a chance to put the game away against a tired and injured Giants defense, they should have put it away. Not only did they not put it away, they couldn't even get 3 which would have made the Giants need a TD at the end. When Brady couldn't connect with Branch on that 3rd down, I knew the game was lost.

 

[sambam94]

the defense was absolutely a problem allowing 9+ play drives all game long. They kept Brady off the field. Not one 3 and out. I realize they only allowed 19 points, but they did not give this team's strength, their offense enough drives. Time of possession was a key factor in this game...and that is on the defense.

 

[Bella*chick]

the defense was absolutely a problem allowing 9+ play drives all game long. They kept Brady off the field. Not one 3 and out. I realize they only allowed 19 points, but they did not give this team's strength, their offense enough drives. Time of possession was a key factor in this game...and that is on the defense.

That is very true.

 

[Mike in 333]

the defense was absolutely a problem allowing 9+ play drives all game long. They kept Brady off the field. Not one 3 and out. I realize they only allowed 19 points, but they did not give this team's strength, their offense enough drives. Time of possession was a key factor in this game...and that is on the defense.

This was the key to the game. We're successful when the offense is on the field, this defense just doesn't get the job done.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

With all due respect to Bedard there's plenty of room for improvement from a talent perspective on this defense. PLENTY.

He makes way too many of assumptions about a group that collectively played above their heads.

 

[sambam94]

just checked the log...Giants had 8 drives the entire game and the shortest was 9 plays. The D did not allow the Pats offense to see the field enough times..our strength. The long drives also led to their punter to trap the Pats inside the 10 3 times.. Just a few 3 and outs would have dramatically changed this game.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

the defense was absolutely a problem allowing 9+ play drives all game long. They kept Brady off the field. Not one 3 and out. I realize they only allowed 19 points, but they did not give this team's strength, their offense enough drives. Time of possession was a key factor in this game...and that is on the defense.

Well it goes both ways. When the defense made a stop on the first drive of the game, then our offense goes 1 and out putting our D right back out there, makes it tough. We had a couple more 3 and outs, not to mention the Giants getting to start in our territory once. Offense had plenty of chances yesterday and they had something to do with the TOP disadvantage as well.

 

[StevePatsFan]

This was the key to the game. We're successful when the offense is on the field, this defense just doesn't get the job done.

They got it done on the first drive, and Brady stuck em right back out there!

 

[JackBauer]

This was the key to the game. We're successful when the offense is on the field, this defense just doesn't get the job done.

The offense did see the field in the second half, and only managed to put up seven points in two quarters.

To my eyes, the defense did enough to win the game and the offense didn't. That's really all there is to it.

 

[sambam94]

Well it goes both ways. When the defense made a stop on the first drive of the game, then our offense goes 1 and out putting our D right back out there, makes it tough. We had a couple more 3 and outs, not to mention the Giants getting to start in our territory once. Offense had plenty of chances yesterday

I believe the Pats lost because their offenses actually DIDN'T have enough chances. Do you realize after the TD to start the 2nd half that they only had 3 more drives the rest of the game?(not counting the last 57 seconds where they basically needed a miracle)

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I believe the Pats lost because their offenses actually DIDN'T have enough chances. Do you realize after the TD to start the 2nd half that they only had 3 more drives the rest of the game?(not counting the last 57 seconds where they basically needed a miracle)

Yeah, 3 drives where they scored zero points. How many chances do you need to score a point?

 

[sambam94]

Yeah, 3 drives where they scored zero points. How many chances do you need to score a point?

true..but field position was a problem for them all game..last 3 possessions they started from their own 17, 20, 8. If Welker makes that catch, we are talking about a 96 yard TD drive and a drive starting from their own 8 to ice the game.

I just had the feeling that the Giants could not consistently stop the Pats offense...just needed a few more drives than 7.

 

[makoute]

They got it done on the first drive, and Brady stuck em right back out there!

With a 2 point deficit.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

true..but field position was a problem for them all game..last 3 possessions they started from their own 17, 20, 8. If Welker makes that catch, we are talking about a 96 yard TD drive and a drive starting from their own 8 to ice the game.

I just had the feeling that the Giants could not consistently stop the Pats offense...just needed a few more drives than 7.

True on the field position. Our special teams was outplayed (I want to say they hurt us but I have to give credit to the Giants punter).

The defense isn't completely absolved here, we could argue all day over who's more to blame and I do see your point about not enough drives. But our last true offensive drive where the Giants were clearly hurting and exhausted, that is where your strength needs to force it's will and put the game away. Even when defense was the strength of our team in SB36 and SB38(our greatest defense ever probably), the game came down to our offense being able to execute at the end after the defense wore out and broke down.

 

[condon84]

The offense did see the field in the second half, and only managed to put up seven points in two quarters.

To my eyes, the defense did enough to win the game and the offense didn't. That's really all there is to it.

While I agree that the defense did it's job, our offense is just not suited for long sideline breaks in-between drives. Our offense seems to gets out of rhythm easily when they have to sit for a long time. These slug-it-out games are better suited for the type of offense used to run when we were winning SBs: run the ball, be physical, play-action, maximum protection.

 

[Banjo]

A good defense would have held the Giants to a long distance field goal on their final drive. The Patriots do not have a good defense.