Ok, it was just one game, and honestly, it was a lot easier to take than the Colts loss. That said, some honest evaluation is in order. I'll keep this very simple.
(1) The offense is not the problem. The run game was fine, putting up 122 yds and averaging 4.4 ypc. Plus, the two TD they got were on the ground. And, really, only a total fool would suggest that the Pats' game is the problem. No, Brady didn't have his best game last night, but still, the passing game is this team's biggest strength.
(2) Defense *is* the problem. Some of that is probably an issue of inexperience. For all the mediots talking about how *old* this team's defense was at the start of the year, I, and several others here, pointed out how *young* they would be at so many key spots. I think the confusion out there was clear last night as there were *so* many blown assignments and missed tackles. Very ugly.
But the biggest problem is the lack of a disruptive pass rush. Sure, they'll get a sack here and there, but the pass rush doesn't really cause other teams problems. And that's very troubling.
Here's the thing. Years ago the Pats could play a style of D where they put 7-8 guys back in coverage and beat up the receivers. Now, with the rules the way they are, they're not able to do that. Good quarterbacks with these "no touch the WR" rules, mean that the Pats are getting shredded if they don't get pressure.
The only way, with these rules, they're going to survive these kinds of passing attacks is with constant, relentless, pressure. Not necessarily sacks, but relentless, in-your-face pressure. And right now, they don't have a single guy that can do that. That *has* to be the single biggest priority in the offseason - somehow coming up with not one, but *two* big-time pass rushers. I don't know how they're going to do it, but it appears to be a necessity. The Colts shut down the Pats in the 2nd half not because their secondary was great, but because they generated lots of pressure. The Giants shut down the Pats in the SB not because their secondary was great, but because they generated lots of pressure. Same thing last night. McKenzie was good, but really, it was about pressure.
Until they acquire (trade, free agency, draft, whatever) two guys that can generate that kind of pressure, their defense will not be up to the standard that is necessary to win.
That's the harsh reality that the past few weeks have brought to light. This is still a pretty good team that, at times, can be excellent. But they're going to have major problems stopping Indy, NO, Min, or possibly even Cincy and SD if they cannot fix their pass rush problems.
(1) The offense is not the problem. The run game was fine, putting up 122 yds and averaging 4.4 ypc. Plus, the two TD they got were on the ground. And, really, only a total fool would suggest that the Pats' game is the problem. No, Brady didn't have his best game last night, but still, the passing game is this team's biggest strength.
(2) Defense *is* the problem. Some of that is probably an issue of inexperience. For all the mediots talking about how *old* this team's defense was at the start of the year, I, and several others here, pointed out how *young* they would be at so many key spots. I think the confusion out there was clear last night as there were *so* many blown assignments and missed tackles. Very ugly.
But the biggest problem is the lack of a disruptive pass rush. Sure, they'll get a sack here and there, but the pass rush doesn't really cause other teams problems. And that's very troubling.
Here's the thing. Years ago the Pats could play a style of D where they put 7-8 guys back in coverage and beat up the receivers. Now, with the rules the way they are, they're not able to do that. Good quarterbacks with these "no touch the WR" rules, mean that the Pats are getting shredded if they don't get pressure.
The only way, with these rules, they're going to survive these kinds of passing attacks is with constant, relentless, pressure. Not necessarily sacks, but relentless, in-your-face pressure. And right now, they don't have a single guy that can do that. That *has* to be the single biggest priority in the offseason - somehow coming up with not one, but *two* big-time pass rushers. I don't know how they're going to do it, but it appears to be a necessity. The Colts shut down the Pats in the 2nd half not because their secondary was great, but because they generated lots of pressure. The Giants shut down the Pats in the SB not because their secondary was great, but because they generated lots of pressure. Same thing last night. McKenzie was good, but really, it was about pressure.
Until they acquire (trade, free agency, draft, whatever) two guys that can generate that kind of pressure, their defense will not be up to the standard that is necessary to win.
That's the harsh reality that the past few weeks have brought to light. This is still a pretty good team that, at times, can be excellent. But they're going to have major problems stopping Indy, NO, Min, or possibly even Cincy and SD if they cannot fix their pass rush problems.
