Was this a Breakout Game by the Patriots Next Generation Defense?

[STFarmy]

Man is this thread annoying.

1. Just because you point out positives and are happy with a win doesn't mean you're a blind homer.
2. Just because you point out negatives and want to see some areas improved doesn't mean that you're chicken little.

I can't, for the life of me, understand why there are people dogging this win. Yes, the defense was pushed around at times; I was frustrated with that myself. But minus the two scores, they came up with big plays to stop drives. It could be that it's because Henne is relatively inexperienced. Maybe Peyton wouldn't have made those mistakes. So what? The Pats finally got a definitive road win against a division opponent that historically OWNS them in this situation. We can all be cautious about some of the defensive flaws, but they got back some confidence last night. And for a young defense, that's so, so important.

 

[TheComeback]

Man is this thread annoying.

1. Just because you point out positives and are happy with a win doesn't mean you're a blind homer.
2. Just because you point out negatives and want to see some areas improved doesn't mean that you're chicken little.

I can't, for the life of me, understand why there are people dogging this win. Yes, the defense was pushed around at times; I was frustrated with that myself. But minus the two scores, they came up with big plays to stop drives. It could be that it's because Henne is relatively inexperienced. Maybe Peyton wouldn't have made those mistakes. So what? The Pats finally got a definitive road win against a division opponent that historically OWNS them in this situation. We can all be cautious about some of the defensive flaws, but they got back some confidence last night. And for a young defense, that's so, so important.

Yeah, I don't see how you can watch this game and come away believing that the defense isn't making any strides. No one is saying they're the Pittsburgh Steelers, but if you know anything about fooball, you have to like what you're seeing from these young guys.

The key for them, like you pointed out, is the consistency. Can they keep up this kind of energy for the rest of the season? I honestly believe they can. Maybe for some on this board, last night's game was just good enough, but I think these players are going to be different guys now. What they did last night was huge for their confidence. It was the best game this team has played since 2008, and possibly even 2007.

These guys know they can beat anyone on the biggest stages now. They came close last year at Indy. I think this team, and its defense, could be a big sleeper come playoff time.

 

[Bostonian1962]

They do have some talent there, but with no pass rush, it is going to be tough to dominate. Right now the D is 28th overall in the NFL in total yards against. They have less than 2 sacks per game (7 sacks total in 4 games). They have been equally horrible against the run and pass. This past game the Dolphins were 10 for 15 against them on 3rd down, which is TERRIBLE!

I've said this before, but while they have some talented DBs, it's so hard to cover players in this league for as long as they've had to, with the lack of pass rush.

Having said all that, these first and second year players are only going to learn and get better, so there's that.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Man is this thread annoying.

1. Just because you point out positives and are happy with a win doesn't mean you're a blind homer.
2. Just because you point out negatives and want to see some areas improved doesn't mean that you're chicken little.

That's what frustrates me about the board mostly, which is why I have stayed away in recent weeks. Nobody seems capable of having intelligent, though opinion-based, debate anymore. Every thread eventually degenerates into name calling, and everyone acts as if their thoughts or opinions are the final judgment and cannot be debated. There are those who suggest that it wasn't always this way, but I wasn't here in the good ole days.

 

[BradyFTW!]

The funny thing is the same people who are acting unimpressed with the D were generally predicting that it'd give up 30+ points. If the D gives up less than half of what you expect, of course you should be impressed.

 

[Synovia]

Excuse me? 400 yards given up? Hope this isn't the next gen. Defense.

400 yards aint bad when the opposition has like 35 possesions because the defense/st keeps scoring on them.


Total yards is the ****tiest of all the ****ty stats.

 

[Joker]

how many yards total did the Jets give up in their squeaker against the Phins?

get back to me as soon as you get the sky that's fallen off your back

 

[Synovia]

Let's not get too carried away. They still couldn't stop the Dolphins but for some horrible throws by their QB. I was glad, however, that the INTs came in the middle of the field, which has usually been vacant (as it was at least at the beginning of the game) with this D.

Why do people always seem to assume that teh defense has nothing to do with Picks?

Interceptions are FORCED.

 

[jbb9s]

Total yards is the ****tiest of all the ****ty stats.

really? first of all you are wrong. Second of all, even if I conceded you were right, you are still wrong. Below are the YPP and YPR for both teams. Guess which numbers correspond to the Dophins and which correspond to the Pats.

Hint: You are wrong so you can assume the answer to the question sheds light on this fact.

Yards per pass
6.1 6.8

Yards per rush
3.7 4.8

 

[FloridaPatsFan]

I can count on one hand how many times I've read or heard Belichick use the phrase "Great game" when talking about how the Patriots played....

Last night he said it multiple times.....

We won't know if this is a breakout game for at least a month...but if there was a game that we can all look back on and say "that was the night that it all started to come together"....last night might very well be that night.

As for the yards given up on defense....If BB's not worried about....niether am I.....

To get that kind of result...on the road...in Miami....on MNF......hell yeah I'm thinking that they turned a corner and are beginning to become a good defense!!

 

[ctpatsfan1]

seriously, what F'ing game did people watch? They moved the ball on our defense at will, their WR's were open all game and converted 3rd downs at will.

I'll take the win, but this isnt the new generation defense or we're screwed.

How soon we forget. Even when they were winning the SB's one of the biggest knocks against the BB Defenses was the whole "bend don't break" between the 20's. Would seem the D would give up yardage in gobs between the 20's and couldn't get off the field on 3rd down. Then when they hit the red zone someone, Rodney, Tedy, Vrabel et al would step up and make a stop or make a turnover. To a certain extent that is what you saw a little bit last night. I don't believe you will ever see a BB defense that reminds you of the 2000 Ravens where they just shut everything down everywhere. Is this defense at the level of those past Pats defense, not by a long shot because they need to do it consistently which is something they haven't done yet. But they did show you last night they can do it and only gave up 14 pts in the effort. Now we see if they can build on that and consistently shut teams down and either turn the ball over or hold them to FG's. Time will tell but I liked what I saw last night.

 

[Synovia]

Nah, I wouldn't call it a breakout game. It was decent at best. There were still way too many big plays given up and the Dolphins gained almost 400 yards of offense. I do think that it will give a lot of players confidence going forward, and Mayo looked really good. Let's see what it looks like going forward. Chung loves primetime.

The Dolphins had 10 possesions.


7 of them ended in turnovers. (4 INTS, Blocked Kick, Blocked Punt, Downs)
1 ended in a punt.
2 ended in TDs.

The defense gave the offense 14 direct points, and an average starting field position right around the 40. (and thats ignoring Tate's TD)

If you think thats a defense playing poorly because they gave up some yards, (most of which came in garbage time), you don't understand playing with a lead.

 

[NEPatriot]

I saw basically the same porous defense that we've had all year. I dont think you can look at the second half, as the Phins were playing from behind. Teams have been able to move almost at will on us and we can't stop third down conversions. Our tackling is still very poor. The bottom line is that we're going to have to out score people.

 

[goheels22002]

seriously, what F'ing game did people watch? They moved the ball on our defense at will, their WR's were open all game and converted 3rd downs at will.

I'll take the win, but this isnt the new generation defense or we're screwed.

The Dolphins did NOT move the ball at will!

The Dolphins went punt, TD, Interception, Interception, Blocked Punt, TD, Blocked FG, Downs, Interception, Interception.

So who is your source to say the Dolphine willed 4 interceptions, two punts, one out on downs and a blocked field goal? There's a winning formula!

I guess that Parcells willed 14 points and getting shut out in the 4th quarter.

Looks to me like the Pats' defense dominated. I doubt the Pats are screwed if the opposition averages 14 points the rest of the way.

 

[Joker]

The Dolphins did NOT move the ball at will!

The Dolphins went punt, TD, Interception, Interception, Blocked Punt, TD, Blocked FG, Downs, Interception, Interception.

So who is your source to say the Dolphine willed 4 interceptions, two punts, one out on downs and a blocked field goal? There's a winning formula!

I guess that Parcells willed 14 points and getting shut out in the 4th quarter.

Looks to me like the Pats' defense dominated. I doubt the Pats are screwed if the opposition averages 14 points the rest of the way.

stop making sense...the sky is falling...can't you see that???????

 

[Synovia]

really? first of all you are wrong. Second of all, even if I conceded you were right, you are still wrong. Below are the YPP and YPR for both teams. Guess which numbers correspond to the Dophins and which correspond to the Pats.

Hint: You are wrong so you can assume the answer to the question sheds light on this fact.

Yards per pass
6.1 6.8

Yards per rush
3.7 4.8

And yet one team blew the other out.


Teams putting up tons of passing yards while getting killed is pretty damn common. Teams putting up high rushing averages while getting killed is pretty damn common.


Since 2006, Quarterbacks who have passed for 400+ yards have won 33% of the time in those games.

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

If it was not for the 2 interceptions by Ninko we would all be doom and gloom today


D still has a great deal to prove to me.


on a positive note-the coaching aspect has kicked in. Coaching was a big contributor in our Win.

 

[goheels22002]

I saw basically the same porous defense that we've had all year. I dont think you can look at the second half, as the Phins were playing from behind. Teams have been able to move almost at will on us and we can't stop third down conversions. Our tackling is still very poor. The bottom line is that we're going to have to out score people.

What?!? "I don't think you can look at the second halfe, as the Phins were playing from behind."!?!????

Small detail but the Dolphins were ahead at the half. The biggest issue was that the Pats couldn't hold a lead in the 2nd half on the road. They not only built a lead on the road, they crushed the home team with whom they shared an identical record. Holy Jumping Jesus!

Whatever you do, don't let the facts get in the way of what you believe to be true.

 

[Joker]

What?!? "Idon't think you can look at the second halfe, as the Phins were playing from behind."!?!????

Small detail but the Dolphins were ahead at the half. The biggest issue was that the Pats couldn't hold a lead in the 2nd half on the road. They not only built a lead on the road, they crushed the home team with whom they shared an identical record. Holy Jumping Jesus!

Whatever you do, don't let the facts get in the way of what you believe to be true.

didn't I just tell you to stop making sense???

what does it take to get you to see the obvious???

 

[Off The Grid]

* Henne threw those picks because he the Pats were getting pressure on him each time.

* You can't just blame it on the QB, it's team defense.

I swear, there will always be a segment of Pats fans who will be as negative as possible.

Precisely.