Patriots are now +20 in turnover differential

[Sicilian]

After yesterday's game, the Patriots are now +20 in turnover differential, with the next highest being Chicago at +14 and Baltimore at +12. Obviously we know that Brady is great at avoiding turnovers himself, but credit needs to be given to the defense for upping the forced fumbles this year, and to the RB's for taking care of the rock. Especially Ridley, who seems to have answered the questions on his ball security so far this season.

No point, just staggering numbers to me.

 

[DarrylS]

Not bad for a crappy defense... this stuff gets contagious.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

After yesterday's game, the Patriots are now +20 in turnover differential, with the next highest being Chicago at +14 and Baltimore at +12. Obviously we know that Brady is great at avoiding turnovers himself, but credit needs to be given to the defense for upping the forced fumbles this year, and to the RB's for taking care of the rock. Especially Ridley, who seems to have answered the questions on his ball security so far this season.

No point, just staggering numbers to me.

Two fun facts: (1) +20 is the sixth best margin through 10 games in the post-merger era. (2) The Patriots' total of 27 turnovers isn't even in the top 100 in that same time span.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

their D is horrible..but they sure know how to get turnovers

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Two fun facts: (1) +20 is the sixth best margin through 10 games in the post-merger era. (2) The Patriots' total of 27 turnovers isn't even in the top 100 in that same time span.

With all of the types of hard hits that typically cause fumbles now being outlawed, with essentially all contact with receivers being forbidden, and with the relatively high-risk kickoff return being legislated out of the game,

it is difficult to expect turnover rates to ever approach what was once possible.

But forcing turnovers still wins games.

 

[Sicilian]

Two fun facts: (1) +20 is the sixth best margin through 10 games in the post-merger era. (2) The Patriots' total of 27 turnovers isn't even in the top 100 in that same time span.

So reading between the lines, it really represents an insane lack of turnovers by the offense.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

So reading between the lines, it really represents an insane lack of turnovers by the offense.

Yes, I'd also go further and say that an offense that scores a lot will limit the opportunities for the defense to be on the field thereby lowering the number of chances for turnovers to be created.

 

[Fixit]

They showed a stat yesterday that blew my mind. In the second 8 games of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, plus games 9-10 this year, the Pats have 50 takeaways and only 4 giveaways.

 

[Sicilian]

Yes, I'd also go further and say that an offense that scores a lot will limit the opportunities for the defense to be on the field thereby lowering the number of chances for turnovers to be created.

I haven't found a good site for time of possession stats, but just from observation I don't think the Pats typically dominate the ToP stats. The hurry plus their efficiency actually balances out those numbers I think.

 

[patchick]

So reading between the lines, it really represents an insane lack of turnovers by the offense.

Sure, but not JUST that. The Patriots do lead the AFC in takeaways by a large margin, and they did last year too, so it's no fluke.

(Along those lines, a new milestone in Rob Ninkovich's ongoing imitation of Mike Vrabel's career stats: Nink just tied Vrabel for the franchise record for most forced fumbles in a season.)

 

[patchick]

just from observation I don't think the Pats typically dominate the ToP stats. The hurry plus their efficiency actually balances out those numbers I think.

Yep, the Colts won the TOP battle yesterday on account of the greedy defense and special teams scoring before Brady & co. could even take the field.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Sure, but not JUST that. The Patriots do lead the AFC in takeaways by a large margin, and they did last year too, so it's no fluke.

(Along those lines, a new milestone in Rob Ninkovich's ongoing imitation of Mike Vrabel's career stats: Nink just tied Vrabel for the franchise record for most forced fumbles in a season.)

Note that in 2 consequitive games he caused a strip sack & recovered the ball both times

 

[BigTea]

They showed a stat yesterday that blew my mind. In the second 8 games of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, plus games 9-10 this year, the Pats have 50 takeaways and only 4 giveaways.

And in those 18 games the Patriots have acheived a record of what, 18-0? Given that turnover differential, it's not surprising, but what is surprising is how they were able to acheive that.

Something clicked in 2007 and I'm not sure what that was. Offensive/coaching philosophy, experience, better personnel? 2008 was obviously a wash and 2009 was the first time we really had to deal with the Brady recovery and perfection hangover. But 2007, 2010, 2011 and now 2012 we have seen Brady play at a level that is worthy of league MVP consideration. 21 TDs to 3 INTs? a 7 to 1 ratio is unreal, I believe we've only seen better twice before and one of those was another Brady record with 36 to 4 that we saw in 2010. Not to mention that in this span he has lead the highest scoring offense of all time and is on pace to also claim the second highest.

Obviously improvements can be made, they can always be made. But whenever I hear some one ***** and moan about this team I have to ask myself, "do they understand what we're watching?"

It's never going to be this good again, so let's enjoy the Brady/BB run while it lasts. We haven't had a championship in a while, yes, but just about every other aspect of this team has been mind blowing.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

their D is horrible..but they sure know how to get turnovers

didn't the Saints have a similar defense the year they won the SB. Not too good, but could cause turnovers?

 

[E1Downey]

And in those 18 games the Patriots have acheived a record of what, 18-0? Given that turnover differential, it's not surprising, but what is surprising is how they were able to acheive that.

Something clicked in 2007 and I'm not sure what that was. Offensive/coaching philosophy, experience, better personnel? 2008 was obviously a wash and 2009 was the first time we really had to deal with the Brady recovery and perfection hangover. But 2007, 2010, 2011 and now 2012 we have seen Brady play at a level that is worthy of league MVP consideration. 21 TDs to 3 INTs? a 7 to 1 ratio is unreal, I believe we've only seen better twice before and one of those was another Brady record with 36 to 4 that we saw in 2010. Not to mention that in this span he has lead the highest scoring offense of all time and is on pace to also claim the second highest.

Obviously improvements can be made, they can always be made. But whenever I hear some one ***** and moan about this team I have to ask myself, "do they understand what we're watching?"

It's never going to be this good again, so let's enjoy the Brady/BB run while it lasts. We haven't had a championship in a while, yes, but just about every other aspect of this team has been mind blowing.

Great post. During the low points like arizona amd balt. i kept reminding myself of this. Im trying constantly to savor these moments. Its been one hell of a ride and theyre not done yet

-Sent from the device that is held in my hand-

 

[Sicilian]

didn't the Saints have a similar defense the year they won the SB. Not too good, but could cause turnovers?

I recall that too. It's almost become this generations version of Trent Dilfer. Before, you could get by with a game manager type of QB as long as you had a defense and decent running game. Now, an elite QB is required for a super bowl run, and as long as you have that you can have a specialized kind of defense (like the high yield, high turnover Pats/Saints model, or the Giants model of "If we get to the QB we're dominant, if we don't we're statistically terrible").

 

[CityOfChampions]

didn't the Saints have a similar defense the year they won the SB. Not too good, but could cause turnovers?

I think the Packers did.

 

[RobertWeathers]

According to profootballreference, the team has forced 20 fumbles.

Add up the # of forced fumbles from the 2010 and 2011 squads and the total is 21.

Pretty impressive.

 

[BigTea]

Great post. During the low points like arizona amd balt. i kept reminding myself of this. Im trying constantly to savor these moments. Its been one hell of a ride and theyre not done yet

-Sent from the device that is held in my hand-

And the "low points" really aren't all that low. I'm sure you've all heard this stat but if not, let me repeat it. The Patriots have lost 3 games this season by a combined total of 4 points. There's a saying that a lot of us feel to be true, "the Patriots don't get beaten; they beat themselves."

When a team like the Colts has a bad game, they toss up three interceptions and lose by 35 points. To recall the last time a Brady-led team was outmatched that badly, you have to go all the way back to the Saints game in '09. Of course we've had some other tough games, and no matter how improbable it was for us to win those, we still had the opportunity until the final minutes. But that Saints game was one of the few times I've ever felt like we were beaten by the opponents execution rather than mistakes made by ourselves.

And what does that say? It takes a superbowl caliber team matched up against the worst team they've fielded in a decade to really "beat" the Patriots. Or that fact that a "rebuilding" team in "transition" can go 14-2 or 13-3 and make a superbowl apperance. What other way can you put it?

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Will be even better now with Talib back there. Look for more forced passes by opposing QBs When Pats have a lead giving D more chances not mention swarmmin strip sacks. Lets get 3-5 more Thursday Nite vs Jets.