The defense in perspective

[PatsBoy12]

What I love about this defense is that they seem to understand the historical significance of the year they're having. They played just as hard in the 4th quarter as the 1st despite having a 33 point lead. I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick's 26-0 confab with the whole defense was to remind them of their historical opportunity and to not let up...

I would be.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

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.

They're not flunking any eye test I can administer, other than that I haven't seen them against any real live juggernaut teams (and by the way... who would really qualify right now, offensively speaking?)

You can look crazy good for a quarter season because you had a better camp (and granted, had the talent.) You look crazy good, even against questionably decent opponents, for a half season, and narratives start forming... but you can still just be "really good."

We're looking at success based on the opposite of "the usual" Pats D - much more man D, with the personnel to get it done. Zero blitzes (i.e., super effective coverages, freeing up guys to eat quarterbacks alive.) Football smarts out the butt, run by talented guys in their prime, a lot of them on the second tour with the team.

I am ready to crown they *** too, but more than anything I am pumping the brakes in the usual sense, not in the sense of pumping the brakes on my own pessimism. My pessimism is me pumping my brakes on my own over-the-moon tendencies.

It's just beautiful after all those years of "bend but dont break" to have teams come in and put up goose eggs.

My only thing is, crown they *** and you've got half a season to defend the crown. Screw that. One game at a time... Sunday they can give up 40. Hate to say it of course, but it's true. Find the weakness on this team and I don't want to be on suicide watch here the next day - it's just adjustments, if you don't get too high or too low. So I just tend to adopt that as a fan, I guess.

 

[sb1]

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

And Rams didn’t beat any winning teams until the Super Bowl

 

[PatsFanInVa]

PS, want some perspective?

Opponents avg. passer rating: 35.6

(In the last 3 games, 26.6.)

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Average Team Passer Rating on TeamRankings.com

Break it down by player, but go back a year... and you'll see an early predictor of this season's success.

10th best passer rating against in the NFL: Gilmore.
Number 1 in the league? J.C. Jackson.
Top 10 cornerbacks by passer rating allowed in 2018 | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF

 

[sb1]

The 02 defense actually has a positive DVOA as this chart shows which surprises me. The lousy DVOA in 05, 11 defense didn’t surprise me and I think we saw in the Super Bowl what they 2017 defense was.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The 02 defense actually has a positive DVOA as this chart shows which surprises me. The lousy DVOA in 05, 11 defense didn’t surprise me and I think we saw in the Super Bowl what they 2017 defense was.

The 02 pass d was somewhat respectable.

But that run D.....sheesh

 

[Triumph]

What if?

The Pats do make it to Miami in February and they choose to don the throwbacks as a big FU to the league and Goodell. What could the NFL do if NE rolled out of the locker room wearing the old red and white? Nothing. Cant stop the show at that point.

The game goes as we hope and the curse of the old uniform is dispelled. BB pays homage to Patriots of yesteryear.

How sweet on so many levels.

 

[The Brandon Five]

They're not flunking any eye test I can administer, other than that I haven't seen them against any real live juggernaut teams (and by the way... who would really qualify right now, offensively speaking?)

You can look crazy good for a quarter season because you had a better camp (and granted, had the talent.) You look crazy good, even against questionably decent opponents, for a half season, and narratives start forming... but you can still just be "really good."

We're looking at success based on the opposite of "the usual" Pats D - much more man D, with the personnel to get it done. Zero blitzes (i.e., super effective coverages, freeing up guys to eat quarterbacks alive.) Football smarts out the butt, run by talented guys in their prime, a lot of them on the second tour with the team.

I am ready to crown they *** too, but more than anything I am pumping the brakes in the usual sense, not in the sense of pumping the brakes on my own pessimism. My pessimism is me pumping my brakes on my own over-the-moon tendencies.

It's just beautiful after all those years of "bend but dont break" to have teams come in and put up goose eggs.

My only thing is, crown they *** and you've got half a season to defend the crown. Screw that. One game at a time... Sunday they can give up 40. Hate to say it of course, but it's true. Find the weakness on this team and I don't want to be on suicide watch here the next day - it's just adjustments, if you don't get too high or too low. So I just tend to adopt that as a fan, I guess.

Patriots lead the league in interceptions. Baker Mayfield leads in creating them. I think them boys gonna eat on Sunday.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

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.

Our D today was years in the making. So was the '03-'04 edition.

We got it together in time to win a title last year; this year we want to follow through and finish the deal again - and I have no problem ranking us up there with historically good D's of the past.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

What if?

The Pats do make it to Miami in February and they choose to don the throwbacks as a big FU to the league and Goodell. What could the NFL do if NE rolled out of the locker room wearing the old red and white? Nothing. Cant stop the show at that point.

The game goes as we hope and the curse of the old uniform is dispelled. BB pays homage to Patriots of yesteryear.

How sweet on so many levels.

A good idea but there is a process, I believe. Certainly to notify the league of a permanent change.

I've said it before, that unless he falls and hits his head or something, Kraft is not headed for an epiphany or enlightenment about our logo and uni's. He resented Sullivan, endorsed denigration of the franchise and fell in love with blue jerseys and that elvis thing.

His personal statement to Bissell that he preferred the old logo is just a lie.

When Parcells (who had nothing to do with it, it was Orthwein) came on board I cringed (as I still do) every time I see the helmets and uniforms, but I still rolled with it. The playoff game in Cleveland was just weird, like a USFL team playing the Browns. Even moreso, in the Super Bowl in '97. We just looked so stupid. As we still do.

But totally agree about sticking it to the league, and all those who dumped all over this team for fifty years now. Most importantly, it would be a statement of justice for all the Patriots who played for 33 years, that they are just as legitimate, worthy and great as those who've played this century.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I would be.

"It's called coaching."

 

[Soliel]

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.

That team was crazy

 

[PatsBoy12]

"It's called coaching."

Which is what he was actually doing if you watched Sights and Sounds, not reminding the team about stats or being historic.

 

[Tony2046]

Which is what he was actually doing if you watched Sights and Sounds, not reminding the team about stats or being historic.

I think APF was quoting BB during his interview with WEEI. They asked him what he said to the defense during the game. It was pretty funny. If I can find the link I'll post it.

 

[patsinthesnow]

D getting some love in Madden. I think that makes Gilmore, McCourty & Jones top 25 CBs

 

[NYCPATS4LIFE]

This sunday will be a good test for our corners. Ravens on the road as well but for some reason their wr unit is not as scary.

 

[SBLIII]

Why Is The Patriots’ Defense So Damn Good?

basically our coverage is godly and our pressure rate is subpar

 

[supafly]

That team was crazy

Oddly enough, NE went into Three Rivers Stadium early in the season and hung 30 on them.

 

[n6249c]

Why Is The Patriots’ Defense So Damn Good?

basically our coverage is godly and our pressure rate is subpar

Funny. When I read that article it left me thinking the topic was “what’s wrong with the Patriots’ defense” because it focused so much on the lack of pressure. At least that was my impression. Left me unimpressed by the writing. Thanks for re-interpreting it for me.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Oddly enough, NE went into Three Rivers Stadium early in the season and hung 30 on them.

Then 48 on the Raiders a week later