So many people are batsh1t crazy right now with anger and second guessing. The coaching staff was outcoached, yes. They also gave up 41 points to an Eagles team that just scored 38 on the Vikings, who were probably the best defense in the NFL.
But this is exactly why you should appreciate the Patriots coaching staff rather than point fingers. Simply put, this was a very subpar front 6/ front 7 that was nowhere near championship caliber. That they led the league in points allowed from Week 5 to Week 17 is absolutely remarkable. We hang our hats on guys like Deatrich Wise and Marquise Flowers, who may be slightly above average talent-wise. Malcolm Brown is notable because he is far and away the best run-stuffer and nose tackle/DT on the defensive line, but he is far from an elite NFL player. Trey Flowers is a very good pass rusher, but he isn't sniffing all-pro honors. 39-year old James Harrison wasn't a luxury pickup; he was a necessity. On the linebacking unit, Kyle Van Noy is a solid player but certainly not spectacular, while guys like Elandon Roberts are basically JAG players who are inconsistent because that's what JAG players are.
Name one player outside of the secondary who can really influence the game on a consistent basis.
Did I mention that from Week 5 to Week 17, this was the best PPG in the entire league? Have you seen the talent on some of these other top-5 scoring defenses?
Blame the personnel decisions (Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Jabal Sheard, draft busts); blame injuries (Dont'a Hightower, Derek Rivers) or retirement (Rob Ninkovich), but it's crazy to blame the coaches at this point. They shouldn't have even been in this game with the overall talent in that defensive unit.
