Can We Settle Down Regarding The Defense?

[luuked]

But yards shmards, right?

Yep.

That "historically awful" 2011 team was a Welker drop away from winning a SB. You think anyone would be like "But what about those yards ? Or points against ?" if the amazing offense had finished the job ?

Similarly, the 2007 team shattered many records but most people still think of them (erroneously) as a failure.

Get into the playoffs, win and advance.. dont worry about stats.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[VectorPrime]

32 ranked in yards, 31 ranked in points, 31 ranked in plays of 20 yards or more, 31 ranked in plays of 40 yards or more

But yeah they're totally not terrible no sir.

 

[maineman209]

I thought McCown had a lot of time out there. I know we don't like to blitz like some other teams and would rather have 6 in coverage, but we need to improve in that aspect

It seemed to me that Patricia threw a change-up in Q4 and unleashed the hounds. Perhaps some of the lack of aggressive pressure is by tactical design rather than lack of ability.

 

[Uptown]

Pro Football Focus Controversially Ranks Patriots’ Defense 17th In NFL

 

[Mack Herron]

Pro Football Focus Controversially Ranks Patriots’ Defense 17th In NFL

I hear it's all about points. We're #30! But that's the past.

 

[ivanvamp]

First four games (3 home, 1 road): 32.0 points, 457 yards
Last two games (0 home, 2 road): 15.5 points, 409 yards

So marked improvement over the last two games.

 

[Uptown]

Prediction:

NE will finish the season between #14-18 in YPG.

AND

Between #13-17 in PPG

 

[mgteich]

AND in the playoffs, almost assuredly after winning the division.

Prediction:

NE will finish the season between #14-18 in YPG.

AND

Between #13-17 in PPG

 

[Nehalem]

First four games (3 home, 1 road): 32.0 points, 457 yards
Last two games (0 home, 2 road): 15.5 points, 409 yards

So marked improvement over the last two games.

Bold Prediction:

NE will finish the season between #14-18 in YPG.

AND

Between #13-17 in PPG

I would say there is approximately 0% change of that part happening. They would have to average ~330 yards/game for that be true.

They are currently sitting at 440

So they would have to average 264 yards/game for the rest of the season. That is not happening.

To get #13-17in PPG they need to move from 26.5 -> ~22. Or average 19.3points/game for the rest of the year which is possible.

 

[Uptown]

I would say there is approximately 0% change of that part happening. They would have to average ~330 yards/game for that be true.

They are currently sitting at 440

So they would have to average 264 yards/game for the rest of the season. That is not happening.

To get #13-17in PPG they need to move from 26.5 -> ~22. Or average 19.3points/game for the rest of the year which is possible.

Thanks Einstein.

 

[VectorPrime]

Thanks Einstein. That’s why it’s called a bold prediction.

Oh, so a stupid prediction.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I don’t care about style points anymore, I’m just hoping someway someday the Patriots win a championship.

I’m so sick of them sucking.

 

[captain stone]

A real team, with a real offense, is coming to town on Sunday night; and they are going to be able to score whenever they need to score, especially vs a "defense" with only one NFL-calibre CB active for the game.

If the over/under is anything below 80, take the Over.

 

[Jadex9]

A real team, with a real offense, is coming to town on Sunday night; and they are going to be able to score whenever they need to score, especially vs a "defense" with only one NFL-calibre CB active for the game.

If the over/under is anything below 80, take the Over.

I dont get why this is so hard for people to understand, I love this team, but our defense is a complete clusterbuck right now, and while Im hoping for the best, with Rowe/Gilmore missing practice, with Butler out there probably covering Julio, this is shaping up to be either a shoot out, or a complete massacre.

I wouldnt be shocked if Matty Ice drops 400 YDS on this team, I mean a complete bum like Mccown just served us up 300 yards last week!

 

[Ring 6]

I hear it's all about points. We're #30! But that's the past.

Let me try to add a perspective.
Through 6 games the cumulative defense is awful. In those 6 games its been horrible in 3, and anywhere from pretty good to very good in the other 3. All that comes out of that is 4-2.

Are they terrible in game 7? 8? 9-16? The playoffs?
We don't know, because they have to take the field and make or don't make plays.

Lets do a hypothetical. Lets say the D sucks Sunday, but we win 50-48. Then it continues to struggle for a few more weeks, and starts improving and by the end of the season is playing as well as last years defense. And through that we earn the 1 seed.
If we go into the playoffs as the 1, and the D is playing just as well as last years, is how they are playing now even relevant?

Now the point of this hypothetical is that is seems this board is so geeked up about putting a label on the team, or often the defense, so that they can then say X is going to happen in the future.
How you play in one game does not translate or seal your destiny for the future.
Whatever you want to say about the defense thus far, its result is 4-2, and it needs to go out and create future results. I am certain that the poor plays made in past games will not be credited as points for future opponents, just as the offense needs to play well, in fact better than it has lately.

If we were the Browns Id say maybe we aren't capable of improvement but ive seen to much of this organization to think there is any other team in the league better prepared to get through the next 11 weeks and playoff rounds and be on the field for the SB, so i dont understand the value of the fear.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I dont get why this is so hard for people to understand, I love this team, but our defense is a complete clusterbuck right now, and while Im hoping for the best, with Rowe/Gilmore missing practice, with Butler out there probably covering Julio, this is shaping up to be either a shoot out, or a complete massacre.

I wouldnt be shocked if Matty Ice drops 400 YDS on this team, I mean a complete bum like Mccown just served us up 300 yards last week!

Everyone recognizes that the defense has been playing poorly, the distinction is between those who believe they will get it together and those who have been quitting on them.

 

[Ring 6]

I dont get why this is so hard for people to understand, I love this team, but our defense is a complete clusterbuck right now, and while Im hoping for the best, with Rowe/Gilmore missing practice, with Butler out there probably covering Julio, this is shaping up to be either a shoot out, or a complete massacre.

I wouldnt be shocked if Matty Ice drops 400 YDS on this team, I mean a complete bum like Mccown just served us up 300 yards last week!

What is hard to understand is how you can watch this team in the Belichick era and give up on them.
They have conquered a hell of a lot bigger challenge than beating a team who loses at home to buffalo and Miami while having a couple of injuries.
Who gives a crap how many yards Josh McCown threw for when he only put up 17 points and we won. Are you interested in winning football game or having pretty statistics. I could not care less what kind of stats come out of this game except a win.
Why not allow the team to go out on the field and compete before you decide what is going to happen. If this is your nature, how many times do they have to prove you wrong before you learn?

 

[Ring 6]

Everyone recognizes that the defense has been playing poorly, the distinction is between those who believe they will get it together and those who have been quitting on them.

Its not really BELIEVING they will get it together its recognizing that what will happen will happen on the field, that this coaching staff knows what its doing, understands the issues, and will work hard to correct it along with the players, and nothing that has happened on the field in the first 6 games has any impact on what happens in future games. The slate is literally wiped clean after each game.
A win Sunday put the Patriots tied for the top record in the AFC (possibly the NFL) and we have fans hear acting like this is such a disaster they need to line up on the Tobin.
Every Patriot team including the BB ones has had flaws. Everyone had parts that were below par. Everyone competed and won more often than not, most were elite, 7/18 made it to SBs and 5 won them. Why would this years teams flaws kill it, and why would we doubt it can be fix and/or overcome.
Let them play the damn games and enjoy them.

I think the problem is too many fans now go into games ahead 50-0 and every drive that isnt a TD is depressing and every play the other team makes a disaster and they feel a 24-17 win is a massive failure.