During the game FSPN threw up a stat highlighting Patriot defenses, under BB, always ranking better in points allowed than yards allowed. I didn't know that and on some level makes me feel better about this year's D.
Gruden said is perfectly during tonight's game. He said (paraphrasing) *I have never seen yards allowed on a scoreboard*. How many points you score and how many points you allow IS the stat that matters most. Case closed! Anyone arguing otherwise is letting the emotional side of their brain rule the logical side of their brain. While I don't think yards allowed stats -- as well as takeaways, 3 and outs, third down effectiveness and others -- are meaningless, they only speak to what may be areas of concern. But all those stats run a distant 2nd to the singularly critical points allowed stat.
Absolute Fact: the Patriots are currently the #10 defense in the stat that matters most, points scored. Subjective Feeling: it is an undeserved ranking.