Worst Tackling Team in the League

[primetime]

Having been there when we scrounge for any hint of good news about our defense and say 'no, the stats are lying, we're better than we look' (2009, anyone?), only to lose like 45-10 to the Ravens in the playoffs, the reaction of the Atlanta fan is familiar to me.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

The Falcons defense is all speed and no power. Hand the rock to Blount.

 

[Nunchucks]

It doesn't hurt as much if you give up 3 red zone touchdowns, but get a pick 6 on the 4th redzone possession. That was basically how we won against NO early in the year. It is an example of what our defense looks for. In that case, our MLB intercepted a pass while playing lurker, caught it right in front of Brandin Cooks, and outran him 80 yards for the TD. Atlanta's defense lives or die on the big play. In our first game against GB, we won because of two 3rd down sacks as the Packers were gashing us with RAC and crossed the 50 yard line. In one case, the sack knocked them out of FG position.

Atlanta fans know and believe that our team doesn't stack up in defensive efficiency stats. We lead the league in big defensive plays. If we don't get them, this game will likely hit the over. If we get 2 big plays we could be up for 17 at the two minute warning with everyone scratching their head and wondering what's wrong with the Patriots. That is how it is with the Falcons. Anything we accomplish is ultimately judged as a failure by our opponent because we are such an unknown quantity.

Falcons defense reminds me a lot of the Patriots defense in 2011. Took us to the superbowl on big defensive plays and offensive power. However, the big defensive plays didn't come in the superbowl and the Patriots offense was stifled by a powerful Giants pass rush. Didn't help that Gronk was injured, but still, smoke and mirrors defense can only take you so far.

That being said, in a single game, anything can happen.

 

[PatsBoy12]

The Falcons defense is all speed and no power. Hand the rock to Blount.

I'm thinking he will be featured early to test that theory. If they can't stop LG, that will definitely not bode well for them. Keeping Ryan on the bench and scoring points will make it a short contest.

 

[XLIX]

It doesn't hurt as much if you give up 3 red zone touchdowns, but get a pick 6 on the 4th redzone possession. That was basically how we won against NO early in the year.

If you're gameplan for winning the Super Bowl is "score a pick 6 at some point," well..... good luck with that.

It is an example of what our defense looks for. In that case, our MLB intercepted a pass while playing lurker, caught it right in front of Brandin Cooks, and outran him 80 yards for the TD. Atlanta's defense lives or die on the big play. In our first game against GB, we won because of two 3rd down sacks as the Packers were gashing us with RAC and crossed the 50 yard line. In one case, the sack knocked them out of FG position.

Wow. Sacking the QB for a loss of yardage. You guys are completely reinventing defensive strategy and tactics!! I don't think any other team in the league has a similar strategy!!

 

[Nunchucks]

I'm thinking he will be featured early to test that theory. If they can't stop LG, that will definitely not bode well for them. Keeping Ryan on the bench and scoring points will make it a short contest.

Will be interesting to see how the Patriots decide to start. I'd like to see them try smashmouth physical style and get the Falcons defense to whither.

 

[GorBelSer]

If we cant get running game running, it could be a long day for us. Not necessarily a big gains, just enough to get us closer to the 1st and to wear them down in a process.

 

[IllegalContact]

They're kinda little too.

4 rookies starting

 

[RobertWeathers]

If we cant get running game running, it could be a long day for us. Not necessarily a big gains, just enough to get us closer to the 1st and to wear them down in a process.

Are you a Pats fan or ATL fan?

Since when is the Patriots offense's success dependent on the running game vs a very average secondary and pass rush?

 

[GorBelSer]

Atlanta is a team with average-to-bad run D, so making them guess whether we will run (and how) or pass is better than throwing 4o+ times.

 

[tasmlab]

As far as difficult to have a conversation with, it is really hard to find a Patriots fan who has watched an entire Falcons game all year. If you watched the Monday night game in week 3 vs. New Orleans and the play off game against the Seahawks, that will give you a pretty good feel for how the defense has improve throughout the year.

If you have never watched a game, there is no reason anyone should be impressed with Atlanta's defense based on a stats sheet. If you do watch the games, you see a lot of speed and violence. The defense passes the eye test. The Falcons defense isn't about shutting you down. It is about making a couple of big plays that create a turnover or force a punt. They tied for the league lead in defensive touchdowns. Vic Beasley and Keanu Neal had 11 forced fumbles between them.

Bottom line, NEs defense is much more efficient. Atlanta's defense is much more likely to force a mistake and cash it in for 6 points. Atlanta's defense plays with house money due to the efficiency of the offense.

To me, you can boil it down to point differential if you are not going to watch any tape. That stat pretty much touches on everything. Offense, defense, turnovers, missed tackles...it is all in there. The Patriots are about 3.5 better than the Falcons. They are favored by 3. I'd say that is a pretty good indication of where these teams are at. If everything averages out, the Patriots are a field goal better. If Atlanta can make one more 3rd down stop than average, its anyone's ball game.

I've watched NE enough to have total respect for their team. Win or lose, you guys will respect the Falcons more after you see the game than you do now.

If it's a cold comfort at all, many on this Patsfan forum have been ripping on the Pat's defense all season based on a variety of disappointing stats, dubious trades and 'eye test' perspectives despite them being first in points allowed and going 16-2 so far.

 

[jah]

Blount and Edelman could have field days.

 

[patsbrasilpatriotas]

I respect ATL but your DEF is ranked dead last (32nd) in the red zone chief. That will NOT fly against us. Brady is our QB. That will be exposed. Also, ATL is ranked bottom 3; if not dead last in the league in giving up YAC & we're #1 in OFF YAC. How is nobody (in ATL/ media) talking about this?!?! It's like they're blocking out the facts in order to ONLY hype the game up. Who cares "how fast" ATL's D is??? What does that mean?? Speed doesn't win games. SEA had speed, pass rush, coverage & tackled way better in '14 & got shredded by Brady (they were much better than ATL this year; no disputing that fact). Vic Beasley is a 1-trick pony. We will run right at his ass. He's too small. To make matters worse, ATL cannot stop the run. How exactly will you stop Brady??

FYI Pats teams historically only lose to great DEF teams. Stopping high-powered OFF teams is kind of our specialty because of BB & TB's ability to go score for score with ANY TEAM (often times blowing them out).

Side note: "IF" we can stop/ marginalize Freeman & Coleman, we win this game handily.

Good luck tho bro.

I think Dmac + Ryan can stop JJ ( stop imo means less than 80 yds). He is the best WR now but in 7/18 games he was held under 70 yds. ( same amount as Edelman) I am not worried about their running game, it's the ability to catch passes (Freeman & Coleman) that preocupies me, if we can neutralize this aspect of their game I am 100% confident that we will win. Don't get me wrong their running style hurts us more than Bell, but our running D is really strong.

 

[Fixit]

If you're gameplan for winning the Super Bowl is "score a pick 6 at some point," well..... good luck with that.

Hey, that was a winning strategy against Peyton Manning.

 

[Stumpy]

That is the Patriot way, you really never know WHO will beat you. Maybe Matt Lengel, maybe Mitchell. Ask the Steelers if they thought it would be Hogan torching them.

 

[jmt57]

As far as difficult to have a conversation with, it is really hard to find a Patriots fan who has watched an entire Falcons game all year. If you watched the Monday night game in week 3 vs. New Orleans and the play off game against the Seahawks, that will give you a pretty good feel for how the defense has improve throughout the year.

If you have never watched a game, there is no reason anyone should be impressed with Atlanta's defense based on a stats sheet. If you do watch the games, you see a lot of speed and violence. The defense passes the eye test. The Falcons defense isn't about shutting you down. It is about making a couple of big plays that create a turnover or force a punt. They tied for the league lead in defensive touchdowns. Vic Beasley and Keanu Neal had 11 forced fumbles between them.

Bottom line, NEs defense is much more efficient. Atlanta's defense is much more likely to force a mistake and cash it in for 6 points. Atlanta's defense plays with house money due to the efficiency of the offense.

To me, you can boil it down to point differential if you are not going to watch any tape. That stat pretty much touches on everything. Offense, defense, turnovers, missed tackles...it is all in there. The Patriots are about 3.5 better than the Falcons. They are favored by 3. I'd say that is a pretty good indication of where these teams are at. If everything averages out, the Patriots are a field goal better. If Atlanta can make one more 3rd down stop than average, its anyone's ball game.

I've watched NE enough to have total respect for their team. Win or lose, you guys will respect the Falcons more after you see the game than you do now.

Thanks much for the insight and opinion.


Patriot fans have seen in the past defenses that relied heavily on forcing turnovers. Problem was that at some point in the post-season they would face a team that protected the ball well, and those turnovers were difficult to come by.

The teams are close enough that anything could happen, a victory either way would not be shocking; though a close game is more likely than a blowout. Having watched a lot of Falcon games over the ten days I still believe the delta between the Patriot offense vs Falcon defense is greater than the delta between the Falcon offense vs Patriot defense. I also like the Patriot special teams better than Atlanta's ST.


On a separate note I am a bit amused at how so many "experts" in the media are solely focused on one half of the equation in their predictions. Not surprised though, as in-depth analysis is lost on casual fans, which is their bread and butter.

 

[EddardSnow67]

The Patriots should be able to construct time consuming drives that will keep Atlanta's offense off the field and keep the Pats defense fresh. If that strategy fails, they'll have to start attacking and at that point, they're playing Atlanta's game. If the offense can help limit the number of possessions for the Falcons, I like the defense's chances at making a couple stops. If the Patriots either get the ball and start the game with a 10+ play drive for a touchdown or really even a field goal, or if they stop the Falcons and then have a drive like that for points, I think it will set the tone for the rest of the game.

But really, this is just one game. Literally anything can happen. The idea that the Falcons rely on the big play defensively is admitting that the only way the Patriots lose is by turning the ball over or having some wonky matchup thing happen.

But that's why they play the games.

 

[neuronet]

People did you watch what the Falcons defense did to the Packers last week? They humiliated them. They have improved a lot this year. This isn't going to be some cakewalk...Yes, we have more weapons than Green Bay, and a better OLine. But it will be a battle to the final two minutes of the game as always, is my guess.

 

[FourierSeries]

People did you watch what the Falcons defense did to the Packers last week? They humiliated them. They have improved a lot this year. This isn't going to be some cakewalk...Yes, we have more weapons than Green Bay, and a better OLine. But it will be a battle to the final two minutes of the game as always, is my guess.

One could say that they're better than the 85 Bears!

 

[neuronet]

One could say that they're better than the 85 Bears!

Only an idiot would extrapolate like that from my post, even as a parody. Not that you were doing that.