We've definitely got something with this Run D

[Joey007]

I'm not sold yet. Give it 2 more weeks. That's stopping Denver's ground game and the bigger test, Seattle's ground game. I'll be sold then. I need to see that the Ravens performance wasn't our run D getting exposed.

 

[nekromantique]

Quote:

Originally Posted by supafly

I think we can all be relatively happy with the success thus far of the front seven, the high round rookies of Jones, Hightower, and Wilson, and the improvement of the CB's (although the bar was set pretty low last yr in that regard).

Since the defense was the main worry coming into the season, most are quite happy with the way they've played, aside from the safeties.

........

supafly,

You know I've just been taking many posts here saying PATs defense is good and we should be happy about it.
What a shock to review the stats and see the PATs in the bottom half of the stats in almost every category. Ranking 25th in run and pass D is not
good at all. Last year at least PATs were around 15th in points allowed.
This year they are currently 18th! in points allowed.
Turnover battle may be a good stat for PATs didn't check it out.

nfl site says pats are 7th in run defense.


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[JR4]

nfl site says pats are 7th in run defense.


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Sorry bout that. must have refreshed browser wrong.
Thanks for correction.
Ok that is better. Just hope pass D gets better.
But most importantly to me is points allowed.

 

[nekromantique]

yes...points allowed is the most important stat...but look at the games a little closer...the d has been put in TERRIBLE positions on quite a few instances. the only bad overall game imo was the ravens game...and that was decent for a while...then theu got torched


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[ATippett56]

New England Patriots Defense

Quarterly Report

18th Scoring, Points per Game Allowed

8th Rush Defense, Yards per Game Allowed

25th Pass Defense, Yards per Game Allowed

2012 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Last season, the New England Patriots defense was ranked 17th in rushing defense.

2011 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[Sciz]

yes...points allowed is the most important stat...but look at the games a little closer...the d has been put in TERRIBLE positions on quite a few instances. the only bad overall game imo was the ravens game...and that was decent for a while...then theu got torched


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With decent refs, the Pats only give up like 17 to the Ravens:enranged:

 

[ATippett56]

I don't think that the offense is exactly in mid-late season form yet, but some of the offense's struggles have been exaggerated nonetheless.

Football | NFL | Team Leaders - Passes Dropped - washingtonpost.com

 

[mgteich]

DEFENSE
As has been said, the defense has been playing extremely well. Our rookies have been awesome. Hightower going down is more concerning to me than Hernandez. Seeing the subs for him was painful. I don't like to see us depending on White and Koutouvides for position play. They are fine special teamers; position players, not so much. After awhile, we just gave up and played nickel for the rest of the game.

Of course, we still have a weak link in our pass defense, especially in the middle of the field. Our safety play has been pretty miserable. However, even the safety play (and safety talent) is much improved over last year.

OFFENSE
We have the one of the top offenses in the nfl, even without Mankins and Hernandez. Hopefully, we'll have both back in the next few weeks. We had one of the very best offenses last year. We have added Lloyd, a blocking TE, AND a running game.

 

[ATippett56]

OFFENSE
We have the one of the top offenses in the nfl, even without Mankins and Hernandez.

Numero uno!

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2012 OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY RATINGS

 

[nekromantique]

I'm not sold yet. Give it 2 more weeks. That's stopping Denver's ground game and the bigger test, Seattle's ground game. I'll be sold then. I need to see that the Ravens performance wasn't our run D getting exposed.

rice beat the pats bad...but chris johnson just burned a texans d that is considered extremely good...and we held him to just 4 yds rushing. it happens.


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[BananaRepublican]

I know I'm not breaking any huge ground with this, but our ability to effectively contain the run while still utilizing primarily a pass D formation is going to be very handy down the road.

It's a good point.

I still can't figure out why they were so effective in that package, but I remember reading a while back that Wilson brings a lot to stopping the run via his sound tackling and smarts to move himself around.

Either that or Mayo and Spikes are just two big monsters that can't be taken out of plays so easily. I'd like to see more of this but they do rank in the top ten at the quarter pole so things are not like last year when Haynesworth was embarrassing them.

I do also get a sense that they can definitely improve over time.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Numero uno!

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2012 OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY RATINGS

They have possibly had their breakout party with that second half explosion, but it took a few games. I see nothing but more consistency going forward. It's going to be an incredible year for stats types.

To think that they have done this with an inconsistent start minus Hernandez. As frustrating as it was to watch them struggle they still managed to put up some good numbers. The numbers would have been much more enjoyable had the defense been able to come up with big plays at the right time, and the refs had been regulars.

 

[nekromantique]

It's a good point.

I still can't figure out why they were so effective in that package, but I remember reading a while back that Wilson brings a lot to stopping the run via his sound tackling and smarts to move himself around.

Either that or Mayo and Spikes are just two big monsters that can't be taken out of plays so easily. I'd like to see more of this but they do rank in the top ten at the quarter pole so things are not like last year when Haynesworth was embarrassing them.

I do also get a sense that they can definitely improve over time.

it doesnt hurt that they run a 4-3 base with the 2 interior linemen essentially being nose tackles (rather than your typical DT/DE)

 

[ATippett56]

To think that they have done this with an inconsistent start minus Hernandez.

Just look at the number of injuries to the New England Patriots offense since the start of training camp:

Brady - shoulder
Mankins - hip
Connolly - head (concussion)
McDonald - shoulder
Vollmer - back
Gronkowski - hip
Hernandez - ankle
Fells - shin
Shiancoe - hamstring
Edelman - hand
Vereen - foot

Also take into account off-season knee (ACL) surgery for Logan Mankins and off-season back surgery for Sebastian Vollmer, it's amazing the New England Patriots offense is as efficient as it currently is.

The New England Patriots offense is currently the walking wounded:

Hernandez limited in return - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[VJCPatriot]

Pats lead the entire NFL in total points scored as well as yards per game. Yes this includes the teams that have already played 5 weeks worth of games - the Cards and Rams, LOL.

NFL Stats: by Team Category

I expect the Pats scoring to increase in efficiency as the offensive unit gels. In particular the OL seems to be coming together nicely after a standout performance against the Bills. Denver will be more of a test as they have a solid defense featuring two passrushers in Dumervil and Von Miller.

Let's see if this offense can continue to impress. Even without Hernandez, the Pats have weapons aplenty for Brady. The continued vitality of the run game is key to providing offensive balance as the season progresses.

The Pats run D deserves big kudos as well. They are the ones who set up the secondary with 3rd and longs. It's up to the secondary to step up on those 3rd and 6+ down situations.