The defense in perspective

[Actual Pats Fan]

LOL, as much a homer as I am, that game was not winnable.

The Bears, though, were fortunate that nobody in the league had the personnel to play them like Miami did. Forget establishing the run first, in 70s/80s fashion. That wasn't going to work vs. the Bears, one they got their mojo midseason. Today's NFL is so much different.

Marino>quick release

 

[jimnance]

Y'all should take a look at the 76 Steelers.

Greatest defensive stretch in the Super Bowl era.

Started 1-4 and allowed 22ppg
Finished 10-4 and over the last 9 reg season games allowed 4 points a game.

I saw them play. That was the best defense I've ever seen.

 

[sb1]

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I saw them play. That was the best defense I've ever seen.

Did not carry over into the postseason, though.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I saw them play. That was the best defense I've ever seen.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Holy ****.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Did not carry over into the postseason, though.

Too many injuries on O

 

[mgcolby]

Patriot have allowed 48 points in first 7 games. 85 bears allowed 59 in their first 3.

As a team yes. The offense gave up 14 and STs gave up 7.

The defense has allowed 27, 3 TDs and 2 FGs

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Marino>quick release

Having the premiere pass-blocking center in the league keeping the rush up the gut out of your face didn't hurt, either. Dwight Stephenson was a stud.

Regards,
Chris

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Holy ****.

I read at the Ringer that the Patriots D is the number three FF scoring "player" after Run CMC and Eckler for non-QBs. After 7 weeks, they would be #2 in D/ST scoring for the entire 2018 season.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I read at the Ringer that the Patriots D is the number three FF scoring "player" after Run CMC and Eckler for non-QBs. After 7 weeks, they would be #2 in D/ST scoring for the entire 2018 season.

Regards,
Chris

 

[The Brandon Five]

Looking at the rest of the schedule, here are the Offensive DVOA rankings of the remaining opponents:

CLE - 27
BAL - 6
PHI - 25
DAL - 1
HOU- 10
KC - 2
CIN - 30
BUF - 23
MIA - 31

It would be interesting to see the figures for the teams the Pats have already beat without the Patriots games. Part of what is making the offenses the Patriots have played look like tomato cans is that they were utterly shut down by the Pats D (hence: NYJ at 32, MIA at 31, WAS at 29, NYG at 26, BUF at 23, PIT at 22).

EDIT: the one team that the Pats have played twice is ranked dead last.

 

[Tony2046]

My question is if they haven't played anyone yet and don't play anyone throughout the rest of the season does the Lombardi still count?

 

[The Brandon Five]

My question is if they haven't played anyone yet and don't play anyone throughout the rest of the season does the Lombardi still count?

See above (team with the easiest schedule ever recorded was the Super Bowl Champion 1999 Rams).

 

[Tony2046]

See above (team with the easiest schedule ever recorded was the Super Bowl Champion 1999 Rams).

Funny how most teams the Pats play are somebody until after they play them.

For example:

Before-Sam Darnold - the next Joe Montana

After- Sam Darnold - seeing ghosts

 

[The Brandon Five]

Funny how most teams the Pats play are somebody until after they play them.

For example:

Before-Sam Darnold - the next Joe Montana

After- Sam Darnold - seeing ghosts

Also:
Before - "Danny Dimes"
After - Bring back Eli

 

[PatsFanInVa]

guys I love what we've done on D SO FAR... & it's a great head start on the way to however we look at the end... but right now, please spare me the statistical razzle dazzle. Remember who we've shut down so far. Also remember how great defenses never get "exposed..." It's a matter of what week that happens in.

These guys are mortal but extremely, extremely good. Bill's giving them all kinds of autonomy. To me that shows not just that they've got the concepts down, but that he's trusting them as a group to read the same situation the same way (you only have so much communications capability on field... my understanding is you have to be on the same page to begin with).

Right now they look like those insane stats... I just keep imagining the day after a really good team, or a team on a really good night, undresses us. Could happen.

(but if we are what we look like now, well yeah, dayum.)

 

[mgcolby]

Looking at the rest of the schedule, here are the Offensive DVOA rankings of the remaining opponents:

CLE - 27
BAL - 6
PHI - 25
DAL - 1
HOU- 10
KC - 2
CIN - 30
BUF - 23
MIA - 31

It would be interesting to see the figures for the teams the Pats have already beat without the Patriots games. Part of what is making the offenses the Patriots have played look like tomato cans is that they were utterly shut down by the Pats D (hence: NYJ at 32, MIA at 31, WAS at 29, NYG at 26, BUF at 23, PIT at 22).

EDIT: the one team that the Pats have played twice is ranked dead last.

I don't have the DVOA rankings but against the opponents not from NE our opposing offenses average 19.6 PPG, we have held them to 3.9 PPG. People can use the weak schedule, bad offense excuse all they like, fact is there are ZERO teams that are averaging that kind of point differential against their opponent.

What does it mean? Are they really a 3.9 PPG defense...Probably not. I would state on the record hell no. Thats just crazy talk...you hear me! (Hope someone gets that). With that said this defense is bobbing at the top of the historical defense list.

 

[TommyD4207]

guys I love what we've done on D SO FAR... & it's a great head start on the way to however we look at the end... but right now, please spare me the statistical razzle dazzle. Remember who we've shut down so far. Also remember how great defenses never get "exposed..." It's a matter of what week that happens in.

These guys are mortal but extremely, extremely good. Bill's giving them all kinds of autonomy. To me that shows not just that they've got the concepts down, but that he's trusting them as a group to read the same situation the same way (you only have so much communications capability on field... my understanding is you have to be on the same page to begin with).

Right now they look like those insane stats... I just keep imagining the day after a really good team, or a team on a really good night, undresses us. Could happen.

(but if we are what we look like now, well yeah, dayum.)

Here's the thing that you need to pump the brakes on though.

Dolphins Suck, Jets suck, yes, we know. Pittsburgh sucks /now/, but they were full strength week 1.

These teams are bad, yes - but show me the other teams, that are doing, to these teams, what the Patriots are doing to these teams.

The 'eye test' is super popular with lots of people on this board, when the stats don't fit their argument. (Not saying you're necessarily one of them).

Using your 'eye teat', what do you see? I don't care if they're playing Foxboro High, if they truly suck, and are just a product of their schedule, they shouldn't look like that.

 

[PScottman]

The 'eye test' is super popular with lots of people on this board

Yeah, this just isn't a smell test crowd round here, but the complex bouquet and smooth finish with this defense....damn!