No Surprise: The Defense Is Awful Early

[mgteich]

We knew the defense would take time to gel. We knew there would be games where the opponents ran for 200 yards. What we couldn't imagine is that we would be dead last in TOP, 3rd down conversions allowed and opponents' reception percentage.
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But we are still 6-2. Thank you San Diego and thank you special teams (Miami game). we are indeed the worst 6-2 team at the moment. The amazing thing about this sesaon is that only a couple of AFC eams are playing better than we are, and we haven't lost to either of them.
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Having lost Bodden, Warren, and now Gostkowski, we could be 7-5 after 12, and we still could be a Super Bowl team if our defense improves. But then, how can it not improve?

 

[sbpatfan]

I really don't feel like there's any dominant team in the NFL now. The games at this point seem completely random.

 

[QB12]

Reading this post reminds me of what the old saw in Texas:

"The only things in the middle of the road are yellow lines and dead skunks."

 

[Sciz]

Pretty much. Coming back to beat the Ravens one game, getting blown out by the Browns the next. Why can't all years be as simple as 2007? :lol2:

 

[Kid~Brady]

I think the NFL is more fun to watch when their isn't one dominant team. You never know what you'll get. As a matter of fact, I'm listening to Dale and Holley now and the said that the NFL has just reported that footall (TV showings) is the highest in season history.

Thats no magic, football is America's favorite sport and this sense of "random" wins from different teams has something to do with it i believe this season.

 

[signbabybrady]

I know the premise of the thread was about the D but based on your title I think it would be futile to get into that discussion.

But I would love to know your logic behind us being the worst 6-2 team?

Currently 6-2
Pats
Jets
Steelers
Ravens
Gaints
Falcons

IMO all 4 AFC teams are better than the 2 NFC teams. We are also 1-1 vs teams we have played on that list. So at the very least tie breakers would make us better than the Ravens.

 

[D-Money]

People really need to take our 6-2 record with a grain of salt.While i agree that there isnt a dominant team such other teams dont have weaknesses like we have.Our defense is terrible on stopping 3rd downs and they get no pressure on the QB.I thought the wins over san diego and minnesota where due to coaching and execution in key spots.

 

[D-Money]

I disagree about the 4 teams being greater then the 2 nfc teams.The giants look like the best team in the nfl right now.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Aweful?

As in full of awe or as in awful?

Personally I think neither. They are not exactly awe inspiring. But they aren't awful either. I save terms like "awful" for teams such as the Bills or Panthers who truly are awful. Can't call a team tied for first place awful.

 

[borg]

The quality of play across the league this year is awful. If the Patriots weren't my team, I would probably pass on their games because the team is so unimpressive. Given the quality of their play, the fact that they are 6-2 tells me alot about the state of the league.
My biggest peave with the NFL is that the passing friendly rules make holding on to a lead too difficult. Pats are a prime example. I guess this makes games exciting for 3 hours, but I just see it as defenses getting shafted by the politically correct hands off rules. Give me a dominant team to watch and admire any time. The '85 Bears are my gold standard along with the Walsh 49ers.

 

[aluminum seats]

The worst thing about the 3rd down conversions is the feeling of inevitability about it. It's like, "OK, 3rd & 7....I would now bet my life on a 12-yard completion in the middle of the field."

 

[mgteich]

Obviously our team is much better than almost all the rest in the league.

I did NOT say our TEAM was awful. However, our defense is worse than that of the panthers. And our defense on 3rd down and against the pass is indeed worse than Buffalo.

Aweful?

As in full of awe or as in awful?

Personally I think neither. They are not exactly awe inspiring. But they aren't awful either. I save terms like "awful" for teams such as the Bills or Panthers who truly are awful. Can't call a team tied for first place awful.

 

[ATippett56]

Obviously our team is much better than almost all the rest in the league.

I did NOT say our TEAM was awful. However, our defense is worse than that of the panthers. And our defense on 3rd down and against the pass is indeed worse than Buffalo.

The New England Patriots defensive performance against the Cleveland Browns was embarrassing.

 

[signbabybrady]

I disagree about the 4 teams being greater then the 2 nfc teams.The giants look like the best team in the nfl right now.

I would agree that they look like the best team in the NFL but looks can be decieving and when you stack them up against the 4 6-2 AFC teams I will take the 4 in the AFC.

I think the AFC is a much tougher conferance as evidence by 4 6-2 teams vs 2 and the fact the giants losses come vs two afc teams the Colts and Tenn.

I would think the Pats, Jets, Steelers and Ravens would have to be considered for top of this list based on the fact they are each 1-1 vs teams on the list.

Long season to go and these questions will answer themselves so we will see.

 

[aluminum seats]

By the way, I think Chung might the key to this thing, like Harrison used to be. Here's hoping he's back soon.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I would agree that they look like the best team in the NFL but looks can be decieving and when you stack them up against the 4 6-2 AFC teams I will take the 4 in the AFC.

I think the AFC is a much tougher conferance as evidence by 4 6-2 teams vs 2 and the fact the giants losses come vs two afc teams the Colts and Tenn.

I would think the Pats, Jets, Steelers and Ravens would have to be considered for top of this list based on the fact they are each 1-1 vs teams on the list.

Long season to go and these questions will answer themselves so we will see.

Giants are playing outstanding football right now. It's a long season though. They started out like gangbusters in 2008 as well and when the playoffs rolled around, the were completely out of sync.

I believe that one of the future SB participants is not on this OP list. More often than not, there is always that one "hot" team that peaks at right time that makes it.

2000- Ravens were a 3-seed and 5-4 at one point.
2001- Pats
2002- Raiders (4-4 at one point)
2003- Panthers
2004- None- both teams were dominant all year
2005- Steelers
2006- None really, but the Colts were a 3 seed
2007- Giants
2008- Cards
2009- None

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

No team wins a Super Bowl giving up 386.5 Yards Of Offense on average Per Game all season.

This has got to be the luckiest 6-2 team of all time - We will take it as it is but we can't continue to let opposing offenses move the ball at will on the ground and in the air.

It will catch up to us if the defense cannot adjust before the beginning of December.

 

[RobertWeathers]

No team wins a Super Bowl giving up 386.5 Yards Of Offense on average Per Game all season.

This has got to be the luckiest 6-2 team of all time - We will take it as it is but we can't continue to let opposing offenses move the ball at will on the ground and in the air.

It will catch up to us if the defense cannot adjust before the beginning of December.

I couldn't agree more...

The only team that I can draw some optimism from is the 2006 Colts. They gave up 332 yards per game and were last in 3rd down defense.

Here is hoping history can repeat itself!

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

I don't know why some of you guys don't think the Pats games are exciting due to them not being a "dominant" team. I think the fact that we are the worst 6-2 team and are poor in some areas makes it more exciting to watch. It is always fun to watch the underdog win.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think the fact that we are the worst 6-2 team and are poor in some areas makes it more exciting to watch.

You are the second person in this thread to call the Pats the worst 6-2 team and I would like to know why you and the OP think this is the case.

I put my logic up in my last post.

I would agree that they look like the best team in the NFL but looks can be decieving and when you stack them up against the 4 6-2 AFC teams I will take the 4 in the AFC.

I think the AFC is a much tougher conferance as evidence by 4 6-2 teams vs 2 and the fact the giants losses come vs two afc teams the Colts and Tenn.

I would think the Pats, Jets, Steelers and Ravens would have to be considered for top of this list based on the fact they are each 1-1 vs teams on the list.

Long season to go and these questions will answer themselves so we will see.