Allowing 30+ points on defense.

[Interception]

We've allowed 30+ points on defense twice this year.

... against the Bills and the Browns.

Is it just a coincidence that two of our "easiest" games are the ones where our D gave up the most points?
Is it a mental thing with the players?
Or is it just game plan related?
Thoughts?

 

[BradyManny]

The Browns game was clearly a mental letdown type game. But the Bills offense has proven to have some potential with Fitzpatrick - the Pats were moving the ball that day and putting up points, it was a shootout - those happen. I think the two games were very different.

There is something to be said about this defense showing up when it matters most though - end of the Ravens game, start of the Steelers game after a brutal loss. Sure, consistency would be great, but this defense is youn, and timeliness is the next best thing, IMO.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

I think both of those games we allowed a gazillion (rough estimate) rushing yards as well.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

The "situational football" thing has been better than the stats and points.

 

[Ron Sellers]

The Browns game was an anomaly. The Pats were bad in every phase of the game, out coached, out game-planned, and were just plain flat. It happens to every NFL team at some point in the season.

The Buffalo game I'd say had something to do with an early season game with a young defense, plus perhaps relaxing a bit late or going into a prevent defense to work the clock. The Pats were up by 15 when Buffalo reached 30 points with a touchdown with just four minutes left. The D did respond on the very first play of the following drive with a pick to seal the win.

 

[PittPatriot]

The Browns game was clearly a mental letdown type game. But the Bills offense has proven to have some potential with Fitzpatrick - the Pats were moving the ball that day and putting up points, it was a shootout - those happen. I think the two games were very different.

There is something to be said about this defense showing up when it matters most though - end of the Ravens game, start of the Steelers game after a brutal loss. Sure, consistency would be great, but this defense is youn, and timeliness is the next best thing, IMO.

Ding ding ding! Hit the nail on the head.

 

[Ring 6]

We also allowed s/ts TDs in both, a KR vs Buffalo and a fumbled ko that led to a TD vs Cleveland.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

We also allowed s/ts TDs in both, a KR vs Buffalo and a fumbled ko that led to a TD vs Cleveland.

I don't see why that matters. They still scored over 30 points in both games of which should have been the easier games so far. I wouldn't think too much into this because the Bills game was early and our defense was still maturing. The Browns had an extra week to prepare and honestly, they are not a bad team. Also,the Chargers and Vikings don't have good records and they didn't score highly on us.

 

[Kontradiction]

The Browns game was your traditional trap game. The team's head was clearly not into it and they appeared to be looking ahead to the Steelers. That wasn't the case with the Bills game. The defense just sucked a fat one all the way around that week.

 

[Betterthanmost]

I just see it as a small weakness of BB's team. They suck against players they have not seen before on offense. It could be Rookies, it could be a guy called JAG QBs'. If your name is not Manning and we have tape of you, then it is just a matter of execution if we don't win.
This makes me scared of the Lions game.

 

[Rob0729]

I will chock up the Bills game to the Pats not realizing how good Fitzpatrick really is. He is not an elite QB by any measure, but he is far better than anyone expected.

 

[unoriginal]

You'd expect a young, rebuilding team to get up for the big games and fall asleep for the "gimmies." See: the Chargers, who are perpetually young, talented, and stupid.

That they win some of the ones where they stumble around the field, and most of the ones they're psyched up for, tells you they're talented. Unlike, say, Cleveland or Detroit, the latter of which always finds a way to lose by 4 or less, no matter the competition.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I was rooting for a last minute PITT TD to pad this stat

 

[The Brandon Five]

We also allowed s/ts TDs in both, a KR vs Buffalo and a fumbled ko that led to a TD vs Cleveland.

Courtesy of an illegal wedge and two blocks in the back.