Except for the first quarter, this was the defense's best game.

[Kontradiction]

Well, the first quarter was a disaster. Huge holes in the zone, porous run defense, and ineptitude in all phases of the game. Then, the second quarter came around and the coverage tightened up and the LB's made more plays against the run. Mark Anderson also whipped Ryan Clady like a rented mule. Pressure was constantly in Tebow's face and he couldn't take off because the Pats defense had a spy on him the entire time. Was it perfect? No. Was it pretty? No. Could it still improve a lot? Sure. But, outside of the first quarter, this was the best game by the defense the entire year.

Now, with that being said, let's remember that this was Tim Tebow we were going against. Let's also remember that, after going down 16-7, Bill O'Brien suddenly remembered that we had running backs on the roster. At that point (down 16-7), our offense became our best defense as the defensive side of the ball was on the ropes. The running game broke off some successful runs, Brady was accurate underneath, and we took back the T.O.P. battle which put Tebow on the bench and gave the defense a well needed breather to sort things out. In the end, this was one of the better performances and game plans of the season. Now the key is to take steps forward, not backward.

 

[Jangles]

I agree that the adjustments were good. But the announcers mentioned more than a handful of times that Tebow had guys wide open downfield. He just didn't throw it their way.

I was happy the defense put the clamps on, but let's not forget who they played yesterday.

 

[JackBauer]

I tend to agree. I thought the balance on offense was very good as well; I hope Ridley doesn't disappear down the rabbit hole again.

I, for one, can't wait for Chung's return, as I don't think I can take much more of Slater/Brown at safety.

 

[brdmaverick]

It always irritates me to no end when a team converts a 3rd-and-18 against us but ESPECIALLY against Tebow.

While the defense played great in the second quarter (getting turnovers), I still lack confidence in them.

 

[Kontradiction]

I agree that the adjustments were good. But the announcers mentioned more than a handful of times that Tebow had guys wide open downfield. He just didn't throw it their way.

I was happy the defense put the clamps on, but let's not forget who they played yesterday.

Agreed. I've said before, Tebow is everything you'd want. A leader, a tough guy, a passionate player, a good guy off the field, someone who can put his team on his back when they need him to the most, and, above all, a winner. However, he is NOT a good quarterback. That said, though, after watching the defense struggle to stop the likes of Rex Grossman last week, it was refreshing watching them do something against Tebow.

 

[Jangles]

It always irritates me to no end when a team converts a 3rd-and-18 against us but ESPECIALLY against Tebow.

While the defense played great in the second quarter (getting turnovers), I still lack confidence in them.

omg seriously

Watching Tim Tebow RUN for the first downs on third and long about gave me a heart attack

 

[Sciz]

One thing that stuck out to me was the pass rush in like the last 5 minutes or so. Tebow couldn't do anything, because 4 guys were there within 3 seconds. It was probably the best pass rush I've seen this year, and they'll all need to perform like that with Carter gone.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

"other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"

Yeah, that first three drives were absolutely pathetic. I thought that Denver got away with some serious holds, but I think that Spikes would have made a huge difference yesterday.

That being said the switch to the 3-4 seemed to do the trick. I'm guessing they went back to the gameplan to stop Miami's wildcat. I thought the plays by both Brace (a Ron Brace sighting!!!) and Anderson (especially Anderson's) were fantastic. Obvioulsy once Tebow had to throw, they were toast!

The Pats need to get Chung back, Sergio Brown, SLater (who was great on special teams, but not so at Saftey) have no place on a NFL defense. Hell get Rodney out of the booth, where's lawyer Malloy, Tebucky Jones, Anyone????

To Denver's credit there are only a handful of teams in the league that can do that to them (My guesses would be Packers, Saints, and the Pats), so this might be an offesne that they stick with. If they start drafting guys to play this, they will be a tough team to play for years to come.

 

[JackBauer]

One thing that stuck out to me was the pass rush in like the last 5 minutes or so. Tebow couldn't do anything, because 4 guys were there within 3 seconds. It was probably the best pass rush I've seen this year, and they'll all need to perform like that with Carter gone.

I think that was a key factor in the turnaround, because their offensive line absolutely trucked our defensive line in the first quarter. After that, not so much.

 

[BradyManny]

I tend to agree. I thought the balance on offense was very good as well; I hope Ridley doesn't disappear down the rabbit hole again.

I, for one, can't wait for Chung's return, as I don't think I can take much more of Slater/Brown at safety.

Chung could make a huge difference.

Bedard had a nice bit on how limiting Slater is - we can basically only play coverages that involve him playing deep centerfield.

As awful as the defense was in the first quarter, I agree it was pretty good after that. I wouldn't say it was its best performance - b/c I think the offense played complimentary football and helped out the defense.

But honestly, if the defense has a few WTF drives a game but causes 2-3 turnovers, what more can you ask for at this point? The more times this offense gets the ball, the better our chances are of winning.

If the defense causes turnovers, we will win games, regardless of how many yards they give up the rest of the game.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, and it was a fine voyage except for that pesky iceberg.
======================================

Seriously, I agree that switching to the 3-4 seemed to make a huge difference. The 3-4 PLUS Spikes and Chung and the defense is even better.

"other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?"

Yeah, that first three drives were absolutely pathetic. I thought that Denver got away with some serious holds, but I think that Spikes would have made a huge difference yesterday.

That being said the switch to the 3-4 seemed to do the trick. I'm guessing they went back to the gameplan to stop Miami's wildcat. I thought the plays by both Brace (a Ron Brace sighting!!!) and Anderson (especially Anderson's) were fantastic. Obvioulsy once Tebow had to throw, they were toast!

The Pats need to get Chung back, Sergio Brown, SLater (who was great on special teams, but not so at Saftey) have no place on a NFL defense. Hell get Rodney out of the booth, where's lawyer Malloy, Tebucky Jones, Anyone????

To Denver's credit there are only a handful of teams in the league that can do that to them (My guesses would be Packers, Saints, and the Pats), so this might be an offesne that they stick with. If they start drafting guys to play this, they will be a tough team to play for years to come.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

If the defense causes turnovers, we will win games, regardless of how many yards they give up the rest of the game.

Yes,

I am still amazed by the stat I read on Reiss's blog this AM for the Patriots team record when we win the turnover battle:

101-4 since 2001. That's 96%

 

[coolguy]

Part of the reason why i don't think the win was that big was because of that first quarter. This game started off just like ravens game 2 years ago. Part of me thinks the only reason it didn't get ugly early was because of the willus injury.

Tebow according to analyst had his best overall game statically against the pats.

 

[BlueThunder]

My feeling is the Pats do need Chung and Spikes back...this week if they are anywhere close to 100%...knock the rust off....and hope they get the #1 seed ( I'm a big Niners fan tonite).

They will be tough to beat in Gillette...Let's hope they've exorcisedthe ghosts of the past 2 post season losses....:rocker:

 

[Rusty Coupe]

I agree that the adjustments were good. But the announcers mentioned more than a handful of times that Tebow had guys wide open downfield. He just didn't throw it their way.

I was happy the defense put the clamps on, but let's not forget who they played yesterday.

Zolak was saying on the radio that the Patriots were running twists once they wen't into the 3-4(how the Steelers blitz) to get pressure up the middle. The Pats also noticed that Tebow once his first option is covered, has trouble finding his second and third reads.

 

[ahmed]

The first quarter defense was the worst I have ever seen in a football game. Missed tackles left and right, wide holes to run through, I couldn't believe how horrible it was.

Sure, they played much better after that but I am not ready to take them seriously. You have to consider that they did it against a horrible QB. He could not read the rush nor adjust to it, most of the time he took off after his first read wasn't there, he chose to run instead of throwing it to open guys multiple times and he had some horrible misses.

 

[Kontradiction]

The first quarter defense was the worst I have ever seen in a football game. Missed tackles left and right, wide holes to run through, I couldn't believe how horrible it was.

Sure, they played much better after that but I am not ready to take them seriously. You have to consider that they did it against a horrible QB. He could not read the rush nor adjust to it, most of the time he took off after his first read wasn't there, he chose to run instead of throwing it to open guys multiple times and he had some horrible misses.

I'm not ready to take them seriously, either. When they can do it against a good NFL offense and can do it in the playoffs so we don't go one and done again, THEN I'll take them seriously. But, as for right now, this was it's best performance.

 

[Dessalines]

I agree that the adjustments were good. But the announcers mentioned more than a handful of times that Tebow had guys wide open downfield. He just didn't throw it their way.

I was happy the defense put the clamps on, but let's not forget who they played yesterday.

They may have seen those open receivers but the Denver offense has Tebow reading only his first read, if it's not there he throws it so there will be no interception, or he runs. There is no other read than the first one. Apparently the annoucers were not aware of this, though I don't how they would not be aware of it...

 

[goheels22002]

The title of this thread is akin to saying, "Except for Nagasaki and Hiroshima, WWII was Japan's best war."

 

[Dessalines]

Zolak was saying on the radio that the Patriots were running twists once they wen't into the 3-4(how the Steelers blitz) to get pressure up the middle. The Pats also noticed that Tebow once his first option is covered, has trouble finding his second and third reads.

He isn't looking for those reads, he's been told its only one read and that's it.