Are we currently the best team in the NFL?

[TommyD4207]

I guess T Henderson and KW will have to do what they did on Sunday: a couple of more times to make believers.

There are a dozen posters here that won't be believers even as they're hoisting the Lombardi.

 

[Vindicate]

I said they're very good.

They're killing people with that 3-te set. Someone will figure it out. It's a gimmick.

Haven't watched a game of theirs, but is this the same jumbo set that the Ravens were rolling out a few years back?

 

[TommyD4207]

Haven't watched a game of theirs, but is this the same jumbo set that the Ravens were rolling out a few years back?

Not quite the same, it's only a jumbo set because it's 3 TEs, but they're all pass catchers, they throw out of it quite frequently.

 

[PatsFan2]

There are a dozen posters here that won't be believers even as they're hoisting the Lombardi.

Say Wut??

 

[Betterthanmost]

Is there some context to our red zone defense scoring performance ? Only thing that bothers me. Seems hard to get to the red zone against Pats but once you get there, it is like Opera handing out scores. You get a score. You get a score , they get a score.

Want to know how many times folks have gone for it in the red zone, the relative numbers of red zone trips compare to the league average etc. Need a numbers geek to help an old man out here. Make me feel better.

 

[Wozzy]

Is there some context to our red zone defense scoring performance ? Only thing that bothers me. Seems hard to get to the red zone against Pats but once you get there, it is like Opera handing out scores. You get a score. You get a score , they get a score.

Want to know how many times folks have gone for it in the red zone, the relative numbers of red zone trips compare to the league average etc. Need a numbers geek to help an old man out here. Make me feel better.

You’re correct, we’re the worst red zone defense in the NFL.

Conversely opposing teams reach our red zone the third fewest of all defenses in the NFL.

 

[Betterthanmost]

You’re correct, we’re the worst red zone defense in the NFL.

Conversely opposing teams reach our red zone the third fewest of all defenses in the NFL.

Thank you. That is helpful. Where did you see this or how can I get access?

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Thank you. That is helpful. Where did you see this or how can I get access?

I heard this stat as well. I think they talked about during the broadcast.

 

[Wozzy]

Thank you. That is helpful. Where did you see this or how can I get access?

Pro Football Reference, go to the 2025 page, look up “team defense” stats, at the bottom of the page you’ll find “conversions against.” There you’ll see 3rd down, 4th down and red zone.

 

[Betterthanmost]

So, potentially a case of small sample size making the RZ TD percentage looking scary. The Seahawks and Chargers appear to be a bend but don’t break.

 

[signbabybrady]

You’re correct, we’re the worst red zone defense in the NFL.

Conversely opposing teams reach our red zone the third fewest of all defenses in the NFL.

Yikes.

Clearly there's a problem to be fixed.

I'd like to think our overall ability is indicative that we should be good enough to clean up the red zone problem.

Seems really strange to be so far on different ends of these 2 stats. I kind of think it's just one of these weird quirky things but I also don't want to bury my head in the sand to a problem.

You know Vrabel is working on this and the quick starts to games too. No doubt he's on it.

 

[Wozzy]

Yikes.

Clearly there's a problem to be fixed.

I'd like to think our overall ability is indicative that we should be good enough to clean up the red zone problem.

Seems really strange to be so far on different ends of these 2 stats. I kind of think it's just one of these weird quirky things but I also don't want to bury my head in the sand to a problem.

You know Vrabel is working on this and the quick starts to games too. No doubt he's on it.

I think the problem leads back to a problem I’ve been pointing out all season… defensive coverages… especially zone coverages. It’s an execution problem.

This is easy to spot, the Pats D has given up the fewest rushing yards and fewest rushing TD’s in the entire NFL. Teams can’t run on this D.

But all season long the pass coverages have been hit or miss. Too often they leave guys running wide open, or put themselves in a horrible mismatch where tiny Marcus Jones finds himself covering a TE or a massive WR like Drake London.

I’ve attributed this to them not having veteran field general in the defensive backfield like DMC to line everyone up and quarterback the defense. There could also be an element of having a D coordinator who worked primarily with the defensive front.

They really could use a vet safety, or they need rookie Craig Woodson to make a quantum leap in recognition and leadership. Either way… zone coverage has to improve dramatically.

 

[VrabelJr]

You’re correct, we’re the worst red zone defense in the NFL.

Conversely opposing teams reach our red zone the third fewest of all defenses in the NFL.

A decent amount of credit for that belongs to our special teams.

 

[Betterthanmost]

A decent amount of credit for that belongs to our special teams.

Can you explain?

 

[VrabelJr]

Can you explain?

Excellent field position keeps the red zone further away.

 

[n1997y]

There could also be an element of having a D coordinator who worked primarily with the defensive front.

More like having a D Coordinator who is not a DC.

He is totally inexperienced as DC, was not hired to be the DC, was thrown into the role on an emergency basis because the real DC was lost to health issues, and is totally learning on the job.

Taking nothing away from him, under the circumstances he’s doing a really surprisingly good job, but what he’s been asked to do has really thrown him into the fire. There are several areas where the consequences are visible. This is one of them. The slow start at the beginning of games may be another.