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The Patriots offense works well. Yes, Moss drops too many passes and the line gives up too many pressures and sacks, but overall they are good. They're not as good on offense as their numbers show, though, as Strength of Schedule clearly indicates.
The Patriots bring discipline, coaching, desire and a team concept to every game better than probably every other team in the NFL. It has served them well and been a significant reason why they are in the playoff hunt in (another) year that they've been decimated by significant injuries.
The Patriots weakness is (pass) defense which the original post didn't even mention. Practically every team in the NFL (except a down-trodden Cardinals team in the cold and snow) can easily complete passes on this defense with the combination of a mediocre pass rush, a secondary that plays to avoid the big mistake (and then makes the mistakes anyway) and linebackers that may or may not effectively cover the short routes. Is there a playoff defense you feel less confident of a stop should the opponents have a 3rd and 15? The loss against the Jets in giving up that 1st down in overtime unfortunately wasn't an aberration, it's been the theme of the Patriots defense all year long.
I've been hoping for a defensive resurgance all year. It hasn't really happened. (The Cardinals game means nothing.) Sure, injuries have played a role but excuses are for losers. The question is, what can we do with the players that are on the field this week?
The Patriots have a decent shot in any game they play because their offense is good enough to give them that shot. Likewise, the opponents have a reasonable shot in any game they play because their pass defense can be a sieve.
The games against the Steelers, Colts and the second game against the Jets unfortunately tell most of the story of this year's Patriots. Close, but not quite good enough. Can they overcome their weaknesses? Yes, but I wouldn't count on it. However, as anyone who lived through 2001 or 2007 seasons knows, you can't count out any team that has heart, desire and coaching.
The Patriots bring discipline, coaching, desire and a team concept to every game better than probably every other team in the NFL. It has served them well and been a significant reason why they are in the playoff hunt in (another) year that they've been decimated by significant injuries.
The Patriots weakness is (pass) defense which the original post didn't even mention. Practically every team in the NFL (except a down-trodden Cardinals team in the cold and snow) can easily complete passes on this defense with the combination of a mediocre pass rush, a secondary that plays to avoid the big mistake (and then makes the mistakes anyway) and linebackers that may or may not effectively cover the short routes. Is there a playoff defense you feel less confident of a stop should the opponents have a 3rd and 15? The loss against the Jets in giving up that 1st down in overtime unfortunately wasn't an aberration, it's been the theme of the Patriots defense all year long.
I've been hoping for a defensive resurgance all year. It hasn't really happened. (The Cardinals game means nothing.) Sure, injuries have played a role but excuses are for losers. The question is, what can we do with the players that are on the field this week?
The Patriots have a decent shot in any game they play because their offense is good enough to give them that shot. Likewise, the opponents have a reasonable shot in any game they play because their pass defense can be a sieve.
The games against the Steelers, Colts and the second game against the Jets unfortunately tell most of the story of this year's Patriots. Close, but not quite good enough. Can they overcome their weaknesses? Yes, but I wouldn't count on it. However, as anyone who lived through 2001 or 2007 seasons knows, you can't count out any team that has heart, desire and coaching.
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