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We've learned that no matter what people say about the 'new NFL', no matter how many offensive records get broken, no matter how many lopsided scores the Patriots can put up, we've learned one thing:
Defense still wins championships.
Baltimore's defense, even with Pees at the helm, was able to dictate the pace of that game - not our offense. And so they kicked our ass.
Just like the Giants were able to contain, dictate and win in 2007 and 2011. Just like the Jets defense was able to contain dictate and win in 2010. Just like the Ravens were able to do to us in 2009.
Yes, I'm oversimplifying. The Ravens had some great offensive performances too. Yes, Welker's drop changed the tone of that game. But there's a reason why those key drops used to happen to the Patriots' opponents and now they happen to us. It's because the defense is setting the tone and receivers start pressing. Wes wasn't scared he was getting ahead of himself rather than worrying about catching the ball because our opportunities against that defense were limited.
You can list all the stats you want. You can point out all the blown opportunities from last night that you want. You can do that going back to 2007. The one static amidst all of those variables is that 5 out of the 6 seasons going back to 2007 have ended at the hands of a team with an inferior offense and a far superior defense.
The good news is that I think we're making a lot of positive strides. I think that the loss of Talib robbed us of our ability to play aggressive - something that had help our defense really turn things around. I think the players are there - but we'll need another half season and we'll need to get healthy again.
I think we'll have a top 10 defense next year. But the lack of one this year is why we failed and why we've continued to fail for a while now.
Defense still wins championships.
Baltimore's defense, even with Pees at the helm, was able to dictate the pace of that game - not our offense. And so they kicked our ass.
Just like the Giants were able to contain, dictate and win in 2007 and 2011. Just like the Jets defense was able to contain dictate and win in 2010. Just like the Ravens were able to do to us in 2009.
Yes, I'm oversimplifying. The Ravens had some great offensive performances too. Yes, Welker's drop changed the tone of that game. But there's a reason why those key drops used to happen to the Patriots' opponents and now they happen to us. It's because the defense is setting the tone and receivers start pressing. Wes wasn't scared he was getting ahead of himself rather than worrying about catching the ball because our opportunities against that defense were limited.
You can list all the stats you want. You can point out all the blown opportunities from last night that you want. You can do that going back to 2007. The one static amidst all of those variables is that 5 out of the 6 seasons going back to 2007 have ended at the hands of a team with an inferior offense and a far superior defense.
The good news is that I think we're making a lot of positive strides. I think that the loss of Talib robbed us of our ability to play aggressive - something that had help our defense really turn things around. I think the players are there - but we'll need another half season and we'll need to get healthy again.
I think we'll have a top 10 defense next year. But the lack of one this year is why we failed and why we've continued to fail for a while now.