The big offseason question: How do we solve the Denver defense?

Rich Hill‏@PP_Rich_Hill
Rich Hill Retweeted Mac McLeod

This is big. Patriots suffered 3x more injuries than the Broncos/rest of the AFC playoff teams.

Rich Hill added,

Mac McLeod @MacMcLeod4
@dporterjax33 @PP_Rich_Hill they also didn't have any key guys go down with injuries this year. That's big

PatsGirl2011 said:

This thread is funny. We won the SB last year.... lol. There needs to be a few tweaks on the offensive side, but I expect them to be overall solid in all three phases.

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Of course, which is why as Patriots fans, we don't whine about our headsets or tablets going out for 5-10 minutes like our wussy ass rivals do. As a matter of fact, Belichick has stated how much he and the team prepare for situations exactly like that, and even said that it had zero bearing on the game.

If you're looking for reasons why DEN beat us twice, you can bring up: 1) blowing a 14+ point lead midway through the 4th quarter, 2) muffing a punt with the game on the line, 3) not being able to pick up a first down at crucial times, 4) allowing several big plays like the Demarius Thomas 36 yard catch + a 50+ yard touchdown run to end overtime, 5) allowing the most hits on a QB in the entire NFL since the 2006 season, 6) getting zero production from our running game, 7) getting zero production from a receiver not named Gronkowski, 8) failing a 2 point conversion, 9) coming up with a paltry 6 points when we had the ball in the red zone THREE times to end the game, 10) injuries, 11) allowing 2 TD catches to Owen freaking Daniels, 12) or even some questionable ref calls which occurred in the first matchup.

I really hope we don't have to spend all off season talking about the 2015 Broncos like they were some unbeatable team. The Patriots played two competitive games on the road despite repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot.

The Patriots need to focus on putting together the best team they can this offseason, regardless of opponent. Quality performances against every team, including Denver, should follow.

@Rapsheet
Cam Newton was hit 13 times in #SuperBowl50. He was hit an avg of 3.4 times per game beforehand and never more than 6 times this season

@ESPNStatsInfo
Cam Newton was pressured on 42.9% of his dropbacks, the highest percentage in a game of his career


The Broncos defense is easily the biggest roadblock between #5.

patsinthesnow said:

@Rapsheet
Cam Newton was hit 13 times in #SuperBowl50. He was hit an avg of 3.4 times per game beforehand and never more than 6 times this season

@ESPNStatsInfo
Cam Newton was pressured on 42.9% of his dropbacks, the highest percentage in a game of his career


The Broncos defense is easily the biggest roadblock between #5.

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I think that DEN's defense is obviously a huge threat to our success, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they'll have all of the pieces in place for next year, either. There's a reason why no one's repeated since the early 2000s.

Next year will be business as usual, with the NEP competing at a higher level, but I also think that other teams such as Pittsburgh, Baltimore, etc will be right there competing just the same.

Belichick builds his team to beat the teams on the schedule that year...they'll be facing some damn good defenses in 16 (judging from this year)...nyj twice, denver, Houston, st Louis, Seattle, arizona, Cincinnati... So half their schedule is against top 10 defenses...
I know a lot can change but schitt...that's not encouraging...
They need to be able to at least run the ball with enough effectiveness so play action works...

It seemed like more, but the Patriots technically were missing only three offensive starters for the AFCC: Solder, the RB (whether you conceive of him as Lewis or Blount), and Jackson. One reason it seemed like more is that most of the others missed games at some point during the season, and seemed either rusty or hurt in January; the same is also true of the OL backups who were by that time replacement starters.

we know Elway will find a way to put a good team on the field and keep that defense in place but who is there QB ? Manning is done and they are not going to pay Brock Osweiler starting QB money, just look at the jets and Houston even with a top 3 defense you wont win more then 9 or 10 games with out a good QB in todays NFL

VectorPrime said:

The big offseason question: How do we solve the Denver defense?

Denver's defense is beyond for real. They are SCARY at rushing the passer and have two top cornerbacks. And they have a real good defensive coach.

What do the Pats need to do to this offseason to beat the Broncos IN Denver. I cannot emphasize that enough, we are playing in Denver next season. And it might be the Thursday opener which the home team has only lost once.

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Two words: Offensive Line

Step one-a better O-line coach. Easier said then done. Maybe we could lure Arkansas'/Wisconsin's O-line coach. Bret Bielema's staff has put together outstanding O-line's for a long time. As for players: Hopefully we already have them and they were just really badly coached. But we may have to face the fact that we wasted several draft picks in the last couple years on bums.

Brady has proven if he's given time he can shred any defense. Between him, Gronk and Edleman they have the core of an outstanding offense. A very good RB would be a nice luxury to have. But we've won it all with the likes of Antowain Smith. A couple more good wrs would be nice. But that's kind of gilding the lily.

VectorPrime said:

The big offseason question: How do we solve the Denver defense?

Denver's defense is beyond for real. They are SCARY at rushing the passer and have two top cornerbacks. And they have a real good defensive coach.

What do the Pats need to do to this offseason to beat the Broncos IN Denver. I cannot emphasize that enough, we are playing in Denver next season. And it might be the Thursday opener which the home team has only lost once.

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Like we solved everything and everyone over last 15 yrs. Some will solve itself with players leaving and scheme being resolved, some we get better and adjust.And block. No need to over think it.

First of all, DeMarcus Ware is not getting younger (and may not be back). Second, their youngsters may not develop as fast / struggle when given a bigger role. There is no guarantee that because they were great this year, they'll be as great or even better next year. The three best defenses of the past 30 years (85 Bears, 00 Ravens, 02 Bucs) all took a step back the following year (and the Seahawks too). They were still very good (and in the case of the 86 Bears great), but they did not play as well as they did the previous year. (Good) NFL teams will adjust based on what they've seen and give them more trouble.

Just because they dominated this year doesn't mean that we have to piss our pants looking at them. Do we have to improve in order to beat them? Yes. But think about it, we played with a banged up team in November in Denver and still put up 24 points. We played with no offensive line in the AFCCG and were still one missed PAT away from tying the game at 20 points apiece. If we can get our offensive line to buy Brady 2.5-3 seconds of a clean pocket and get a running game that can keep them halfway serious we will beat them.

And, if we stay healthy at a decent rate improve on backup LB and #2/3 CB (depending on how one looks at Logan Ryan) we could be right in the mix for the title of the best defense in the NFL.

Gotta tip your hat to the Denver D that continued that statistically improbable run of always getting handed a turnover on a silver plate when they needed one. Throughout the entire season they got away with that. Kinda funny how if the ball just bounces once or twice differently they are not even in the playoffs.

To answer your question.. it is not very complicated to win against Denver.. simply dont give them any cheap turnovers.

Best way would be for us to upgrade our front 4 and sign a stud DE.

Learn how to run the ball and block people? That should do it...

Lewis
Improve protection 20%
Add another WR threat
Get Collins out of coverage down the seam
Be able to get 3yds a carry.

Thatll do

I have to confess: Denver scares me. They are still going to have a rock solid defense next year, and they're going to get a major upgrade at the QB position.

alvinnf said:

Learn how to run the ball and block people? That should do it...

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Actually, I think we'll need to have more firepower on our offense. Like another WR threat and second TE

Run over Von Miller.

XLIX said:

I have to confess: Denver scares me. They are still going to have a rock solid defense next year, and they're going to get a major upgrade at the QB position.

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When healthy, New England is a scarier proposition than Denver. Despite Belichick's insistence on next man up, you simply can't cover the loss of A-Grade talent with rotational guys. That showed against Denver in the AFC Championship. Despite all that, it was the Pats' decision making mistakes that cost them that game.

VectorPrime said:

The big offseason question: How do we solve the Denver defense?

Denver's defense is beyond for real. They are SCARY at rushing the passer and have two top cornerbacks. And they have a real good defensive coach.

What do the Pats need to do to this offseason to beat the Broncos IN Denver. I cannot emphasize that enough, we are playing in Denver next season. And it might be the Thursday opener which the home team has only lost once.

Click to expand...

I don't think you "solve" the Denver D - when playing in Denver. Indeed there's a reason why they limited ticket sales to Rocky Mountain zip codes.

That crowd noise was unreal when the Pats had the ball from what I understood, causing a good degree of confusion on the OL - which frankly needs to be better prepared for that scenario.

And the crowd was stone cold quiet when the Broncs had the ball.

If I were the Pats I'd do my best to make sure that the road to the Super Bowl goes through Foxboro

That D would have been manageable on the home field I feel