Soul_Survivor88
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2015
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Just two recent examples
There’s an Asterisk Hanging Over Bill Belichick’s Defense
The New England Patriots' Defense Isn't As Good As It May Seem
There’s an Asterisk Hanging Over Bill Belichick’s Defense
In a perfect sequel to the regular season, all the Patriots had to do to advance to Sunday’s AFC championship game was beat Brock Osweiler, who might be the worst quarterback they played all year. However, the way New England dispatched Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ high-octane offense helped to erode the idea that the Patriots don’t deserve to be counted among the best. They stifled Roethlisberger for most of the game, and he finished with 314 yards, an interception, and a garbage-time touchdown as Pittsburgh scored just 17 points. But even in resounding victory, a caveat exists: New England may have finally shut down a top-tier quarterback, but that quarterback went without one of his favorite targets and one of the best players in the league, Le’Veon Bell, who left early in the second quarter with a groin injury, a factor that taints what could’ve been a statement performance by New England’s defense.
The New England Patriots' Defense Isn't As Good As It May Seem
The obvious rebuttal you could provide is that the Patriots did face a top-10 passer just last week. Ben Roethlisberger finished seventh in Passing NEP per drop back, making him easily the best passer the team faced this year. They held Roethlisberger to 314 yards on 47 attempts with one touchdown and one interception en route to a 19-point victory. That should help bolster the defense's reputation a bit.
If Roethlisberger weren't so unique, this would be true. That conference championship game was in Foxboro, meaning the Pittsburgh Steelers were on the road. Roethlisberger was a radically different passer on the road this year than he was at Heinz Field
If we use just Roethlisberger's Passing NEP per drop back at home, he would have easily led the league in this stat for the season. His number on the road would have ranked 24th, right between Matt Barkley and Eli Manning. The Patriots' defense was impressive last week, but Roethlisberger's general struggles on the road taint that accomplishment a good chunk.
All of this is simply a roundabout way of saying that the Patriots haven't faced a true test defensively yet this season. The Falcons will certainly provide that.
If Roethlisberger weren't so unique, this would be true. That conference championship game was in Foxboro, meaning the Pittsburgh Steelers were on the road. Roethlisberger was a radically different passer on the road this year than he was at Heinz Field
If we use just Roethlisberger's Passing NEP per drop back at home, he would have easily led the league in this stat for the season. His number on the road would have ranked 24th, right between Matt Barkley and Eli Manning. The Patriots' defense was impressive last week, but Roethlisberger's general struggles on the road taint that accomplishment a good chunk.
All of this is simply a roundabout way of saying that the Patriots haven't faced a true test defensively yet this season. The Falcons will certainly provide that.