Patriots Pass Defense's First Challenge For 2012: Be Better on 3rd Down

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Pass Defense's First Challenge For 2012: Be Better on 3rd Down
By: Ian Logue

One of the most frustrating parts about watching last season was New England's inability to get off the field on 3rd down, which will hopefully see an improvement this season....

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[Ian]

There's some interesting numbers in this about when they were in 3rd and long last season for anyone interested.

 

[Ring 6]

I think the story of the 2011 defense is somewhere in the middle.
The overall talent on the field was below par.
The overall statistics were not good.
But the situations where those stats were allowed, and the defenses ability to get stops with the game on the line has been heavily overlooked, probably and rightfully because it failed when it mattered most.
My opinion is that due partly to injuires, partly to the Sanders and Meriwhether issues, the team was untalkent on defense last year, but aside from aggregate statistical measures it outperformed its talent in what mattered the most.
Hopefully that means there is more talent now and the same team defense dynamic is there.
I am sure they could have allowed fewer passing yards last year, but I'm also sure they would have done it at the expense of allowing more points.

 

[Ian]

I thought the red zone completion number vs outside it were interesting, along with the number of passing td's given up outside vs inside.

I think they'll be better this year and it will be interesting to track it.