Apples to Oranges and a strawman comparison. I'm talking about a season long trend.
No, its totally relevant.
The 2011 Patriots allowed 43% 3rd downs (not dead last by the way) at 87/202. That is rounded off 5.5/12.7. The average team was 38% which would be 77/202. So, the team allowed 10 conversions all season more than an average performance.
The Patriots allowed just over 1 extra conversion every 2 games worse than average. They allowed 5.5 fewer points per game than bad (5th worse).
Your argument is that 10 3rd down conversions allowed is worse than 88 points allowed.
A defense that gives up a lot of 3rd downs in a game is one thing, a defense that finishes dead last in the NFL in 3rd down defense by a mile is another.
They werent dead last at all, and allowed just under 5.5 per game.
Over a 16 game season it's safe to say that the fact they couldn't get stops (whether they allowed points or not) on 3rd down prevented Tom brady and the offense from seeing the field and scoring points themselves.
10 3rd down conversions in 16 games simply doesnt add up to 88 points.
Please tell me you don't actually believe that a defense that is historically bad at giving up 3rd downs is a good D.
Historically bad? The 2011 defense was average, not good, Ive never said that, and certainly not terrible.
No but you can't deny a slow stop is keeping our all world and first ballot HOF QB from getting on the field and scoring points himself. For some teams it doesn't matter, for this one it does.
Ridiculous. See above. You act as if they allowed 30 3rd down conversions a game. It was less than 5.5, which is about 0.6 higher than normal.
A defense that can't stop the other guy on third down ain't a good defense. Sorry.
Hopefully the facts above clear this up for you.
The defense's shortcomings did them in. When the team needed them the most, they failed both times. After the Welker drop and the Pats punted, and Eli stepped on the field I had no doubt what was coming and I wasn't the only one. Is that a good defense?
They won 15 games and went to the SB. Did 31 defenses suck?
Do you think the defense did a great job on that drive? Should we give them kudos for letting the Ravens march down the field only for their kicker to shank the FG?
You are counting it as a score. It's irrelevant how the play on that drive is judged, the point is you are using a drive that resulted in zero points and a trip to the SB as a reason the team failed.
Not sure where you think I'm comparing them to the 85 bears. I made an observation where that defense was exposed by every good team they played. Which they were.
Your standard for not sucking is that you suck if you allow a TD.
I'm amazed that a D that let JAG QB's have their way with them and couldn't stop any good teams, were historically bad on third down, and failed the two times where they were needed most... is actually called a good defense. Wow.
You have turned your entire end of the discussion into a strawman.
I could care less how many yards a JAG QB passes for after we have an insurmountable lead and play prevent defense. A win is a win. Playing prevent defense to make it easier for a team to build stats but impossible for them to beat you is smart football. I'm sorry you root for stats, and we will probably never be able to have a reasonable discussion.