Keeping track of the defense.

[PP2]

I have to take back what I initially thought of D-Mac. He has proven to be a real professional- very rarely out of position, or fooled outright. He and his brother have really been crushing the tape.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I have to take back what I initially thought of D-Mac. He has proven to be a real professional- very rarely out of position, or fooled outright. He and his brother have really been crushing the tape.

I tend to think his early season struggles were attributed to BB/Flo trying new stuff schematically and mismatched with tight ends who are just bigger than he is.

 

[mgteich]

I tend to think his early season struggles were attributed to BB/Flo trying new stuff schematically and mismatched with tight ends who are just bigger than he is.

I agree.

We call the defensive problems in the early season as "struggles". Belichick calls it an extension of the preseason.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I agree.

We call the defensive problems in the early season as "struggles". Belichick calls it an extension of the preseason.

Yep. Experimentation time!

 

[Joey007]

I’m not sure the defense can keep track of itself.

 

[captain stone]

Compared to Gronk, Devin McCourty is one helluva Safety...

...and as a Safety, Gronk is one helluva TE.

 

[Kontradiction]

I can go ahead and do this tomorrow after the MNF game, but is there any point? This is not a good defense. The bad news is that two of the teams currently in the AFC playoff field have mobile QBs that can actually complete passes from the pocket and 3 out of the 4 have good and outstanding ground games. Even if we do make it to the Super Bowl, does anyone think that they're holding the Rams or the Saints under 38 points?

 

[PatsFan2]

I can go ahead and do this tomorrow after the MNF game, but is there any point? This is not a good defense. The bad news is that two of the teams currently in the AFC playoff field have mobile QBs that can actually complete passes from the pocket and 3 out of the 4 have good and outstanding ground games. Even if we do make it to the Super Bowl, does anyone think that they're holding the Rams or the Saints under 38 points?

In a word No!

 

[Belichick8384]

Probably the worst of the playoff teams. The offense, when they get things right, can put up quite a bit of points themselves but we know how that's going this year. Still beating ourselves at this point.

This year feels very... unorganised. Haven't really been in control of things, been getting lucky here and there, still beating weaker teams but not really by as much as some other elite teams have been doing. Not sure where to pinpoint the problems.

Does anyone think the Pats could still hit some sort of stride late in the season?

 

[Kontradiction]

Probably the worst of the playoff teams. The offense, when they get things right, can put up quite a bit of points themselves but we know how that's going this year. Still beating ourselves at this point.

This year feels very... unorganised. Haven't really been in control of things, been getting lucky here and there, still beating weaker teams but not really by as much as some other elite teams have been doing. Not sure where to pinpoint the problems.

Does anyone think the Pats could still hit some sort of stride late in the season?

If they do, it would be on the offensive side of the ball. Too many needs up front on defense to do it there. The defensive front needs almost a complete overhaul.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Even if we do make it to the Super Bowl, does anyone think that they're holding the Rams or the Saints under 38 points?

The NFC is starting to look wide open though. The Rams without Kupp aren't the same, Goff can be rattled, and the Saints may have peaked too soon. Would anyone be stunned if the Bears or Cowboys managed to get through, somehow?

The Patriots generally give us a clue of their championship mettle in the regular season, granted, but wild card teams have won it all 6 times. It doesn't have to make sense!

 

[Kontradiction]

The NFC is starting to look wide open though. The Rams without Kupp aren't the same, Goff can be rattled, and the Saints may have peaked too soon. Would anyone be stunned if the Bears or Cowboys managed to get through, somehow?

The Patriots generally give us a clue of their championship mettle in the regular season, granted, but wild card teams have won it all 6 times. It doesn't have to make sense!

I don't think they did. I think the Saints will be there. They have the best combo of offense and defense of anyone else in the field. Their hardest test will either be Chicago or Dallas, but I can't see either of those teams winning in New Orleans. They’ll clap this year’s Patriots if the two teams meet on neutral field.

 

[Deus Irae]

If they do, it would be on the offensive side of the ball. Too many needs up front on defense to do it there. The defensive front needs almost a complete overhaul.

Danny Shelton will solve all the problems.

 

[Mack Herron]

Danny Shelton will solve all the problems.

That's crazy talk. Shelton and Dawson will fix the run and pass defense.

 

[Belichick8384]

If they do, it would be on the offensive side of the ball. Too many needs up front on defense to do it there. The defensive front needs almost a complete overhaul.

Well, they've needed an overhaul for the past 2 yrs now. It will likely be a question of whether or not our offense can beat the opponents defense as well as our own defense. And we saw how that turned out in the end last year. But if the offense can hit the right stride at the right time, plus if the opponent's offense can have the off-night for a change, Pats can pull it off.

But its no question more than one component will have to happen in order for the Pats to win it this year. It just starts with the team being more disciplined and organised coming down the stretch.

 

[Kontradiction]

Danny Shelton will solve all the problems.

Unless a good run defense is a problem, I’m not sure what problem Shelton can solve. Not to worry. Any day now, Bill is going to release our secret weapon and wreck havoc on the league - Rivers.

 

[Tony2046]

Danny Shelton will solve all the problems.

Boy. I wonder if I'll ever have to withdraw from hosting the Academy awards for posting that.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Unless a good run defense is a problem, I’m not sure what problem Shelton can solve. Not to worry. Any day now, Bill is going to release our secret weapon and wreck havoc on the league - Rivers.

Still disappointed about his development. I was really impressed by his handwork in college, and he's clearly athletic, but we haven't seen him do a single thing in games.

 

[Kontradiction]

Still disappointed about his development. I was really impressed by his handwork in college, and he's clearly athletic, but we haven't seen him do a single thing in games.

Yeah, he’s pretty much sucked balls to this point.

 

[Kontradiction]

As of Week 15:

1. Points/Game - 12th
2. YPG - 22nd
3. 3rd down % - 24th
4. Net passing yards/attempt - 15th
5. Net rushing yards/attempt - 28th (ouch)
6. TO % - 12th

Average = 19th

Opponent offensive rankings (PPG) - UPDATED THROUGH WEEK 14:

1. Texans - 12th
2. Jaguars - 30th
3. Lions - 25th
4. Dolphins - 22nd
5. Colts - 8th
6. Chiefs - 1st
7. Bears - 7th
8. Bills - 31st
9. Packers - 15th
10. Titans - 27th
11. Jets - 26th
12. Vikings - 20th
13. Dolphins - 22nd

Average = 19th