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What changed since the previous two years with Nash as the head S&C coach and the six before that when he was the assistant?
Look, I know many are giving into despair because of the huge nature of Monday night's game, how poorly the pass D played most of the game, and the loss itself. And I am not particularly optimistic about beating the Broncos though I do not think it is an automatic. But perspective is needed here desperately:
Consider that the Panthers had a bunch of long drives severely limiting the Patriots' possessions. Also consider that the Panthers were/are considered one of the best defenses in the league. Consider that the Patriots fumbled away one sure scoring opportunity and shot themselves right in the foot on another promising drive (nothing to do with anything else) on the very unfoced and unnecessary 15 yard penalty by Mankins. Consider that ST's nor turnovers nor anything provided the Patriots any decent field position. They had to drive/earn every damn point! Consider ALL that then consider the Patriots were moving the ball, at times, with excellence. The Patriots offense absolutely looks ready to shift into high gear. Stop those unforced errors (Oh Ridley babe, you're killin me!) and the Patriots probably put up 30 against one of the best defenses in the league (one that has not given up 30) even with the conspicuously low possession total (imagine if they got a normal possession total? how many points they could have racked up??).
As it gets colder/weather, the very important aspect, punting and kicking kicks in, the P and K game remains very good.
On defense, the DL looked more stout in the run game than maybe any game this season. While not watching every play on the DL (if they were getting collapsed/pushed around regularly I didn't see it), the DL held it's ground frequently, even looking nasty on some plays! Considering this was/is a SERIOUS concern coming into the game......that was very very nice to see the Patriots keeping the Panther rushing game in check. Their pass rush not great at times, but it had some moments too. Yet we all know the Patriots have some pass rushing capability. And while they did let Cam slither away a few times and that was it's biggest failure (IMHO), however, Cam's specialty is doing just that and he might be the very best in the NFL at doing that. Hard to get too upset for that happening a few times.
Obviously pass D looked BAD. The anchor of that is Talib and he was not good Monday night. Was it injury? Was it rust? Smith got in his head? Just had a bad night? I don't know but this might have been his worst game as a Patriot. But Talib is in fact one of the upper CBs in the league. No way does he not provide better overall performances in almost every game we have left/he plays in. And as long as that happens to even some degree, his contribiution will make this secondary look MUCH better (remember when a team's best receiver could be largely taken away by Talib? Remember Atl and Saints and what talib did??? This WILL happen again!). And who says Dennard will not be back for a while??? Maybe next week! None of us know where he is at and BB sure ain;t going to let it be known. So There is hope that our two top CB's will be playing against Denver.
Bottom line, the Patriots offense looks like it is coming into it's own! Don't shoot itself in the foot and this O can score 30 on anyone. And we can move the ball like that against the Panthers then we can sure do it against the Broncos too. Defense? The secondary was strength and it will be again, maybe this Sunday. And the DL looks like it is gelling in terms of run stout-ness. There is LOTS to faith in.....not just homerism.....tangible things that will make the Patriots play well as the stretch unfolds. Mark it down, you heard it here first
