Appreciation for the defense

[ScottishPatriot]

Obviously we found out in the post-season that the development of the offense is some way behind where a lot of thought it had gotten to during the regular season.

However, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what we saw on the other side of the ball.

Now I know there are better NFL QBs and offenses than Darnold and co, but all the talk coming into this game was about JSN - and how he was suddenly ‘the best receiver in the game’ after one good year.

…and then our defense rendered him totally anonymous tonight, even before the concussion. Shaheed also barely made a play all night.

That isn’t just down to Gonzo. That’s to the credit of the entire defense, our stand-in rookie playcaller, and T Williams’s hard work before he got sick.

So yeah, we’re behind on offense but tonight we also learned how far ahead this defense is in its own redevelopment. The improvement in a year is unreal.

If we can do it on that side of the ball in one offseason, we can certainly do it on O this year too.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

Gonzo made himself some serious money tonight.


Proud of the D. Did everything they could. That slow-mo after Drakes fumble showing the D reacting to it.. Brutal

Already excited for next year.. This D can get better

 

[NFL Mystique]

They were simply incredible all postseason. They have to be livid with the offebse. An average offense tonight wins that game.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

The D did its job. You cant blame them as .they were out there constantly. Kudos....we just need to fix the offense

 

[RxJock1120]

Gotta pay Gonzo the largest contract for a DB in history...and it will still be a bargain. I was down on him most of the year, especially after Cinci game, but I was damn wrong. He played his heart out and led this team all post season, he was about the only Patriots who deserved a win tonight.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Its a super bowl d. Offense needs to get it done when it matters

 

[Nikolai]

Gonzo played out of his mind tonight. This PBU is one of the best I've seen...the best since Gilmore in the AFCCG.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

Only reason we had a chance this postseason at all. Hats off to those guys.

 

[VrabelJr]

Gonzo played out of his mind tonight. This PBU is one of the best I've seen...the best since Gilmore in the AFCCG.

On par with the crazy Jason McCourty one too.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Zack Kuhr's stock has skyrocketed.

The additions of Williams, Davis and Spillane transformed this defense.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Where was Barmore? He is not him!

 

[brdmaverick]

Right, our defense was a TREMENDOUS!!!! and I can't say that enough

I'll be honest. I was a Patriots 'excuse maker' for the offense.

Slow game against San Diego....well, it was Maye's first playoff game. He still did enough to win....so yeah! No worries, offense will get it going the next game.

Sloppy game against Texans....well, what did we expect. Best D in the league in bad weather. Of course they wouldn't play well even if I 'really hoped for it'.

Terrible game aganst the Broncos......well, what do you expect it was a blizzard (completely forgetting the offense was so inept in the first half when the weather was just fine)

Ok, ok, now the Pats are playing in nice weather.......the world will now see Drake Maye and company light it UP! And then.....WOW, enough three and outs to make you want to throw up

BUT THE DEFENSE!!!!!! WOW, THEY CARRIED US! THEY CARRIED US SO MUCH THAT I TRULY FELT BETTER ABOUT OUR CHANCES TO SCORE WHEN OUR DEFENSE WAS ON THE FIELD! (How messed up is that? but it's a credit to them) The defense was amazing and deserves all their kudos

 

[Wozzy]

Top five defense when healthy… has been all season.

Defense carried them through these playoffs.

 

[sb1]

Gonzo was money last night. Absolutely phenomenal.

 

[Wozzy]

Where was Barmore? He is not him!

Attracting double teams on almost every down so other players don’t. It’s a team game, Seattle knew who they had to block… him.

 

[PatsFan2]

Top five defense when healthy… has been all season.

Defense carried them through these playoffs.

Tip of the Cap to our D that Maye Fumble deep in our Territory Broke their will last night. That was pretty Tough to watch.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Not to be Debbie Downer, but still plenty of room to improve. LAC's OLine is an absolute joke (sadly, like ours). Defense played their part against HOU but Stroud was ab absolute puddle and their top 2 threats were out. Against Denver? Stidham, that is all.

I thought the defense played well early last night and held up fine, but also have to acknowledge what SEA was doing. It how many drives did they just concede on 3rd down like Collinsworth was calling them out? It was very apparent early that we weren't going to score and the only way SEA could lose was turning it over so they played an absurdly conservative game. And tbh, we still struggled to contain them within that super conservative scheme. They consistently churned out good runs and had FG drives. Credit to the red zone defense but let's not paint this as some dominant performance either.

How many times did the defense have Darnold dead to rights and miss him? Marcus Jones missed what should have been a pick 6 on the opening drive. Gonzo, for as great as he was, could have taken 3 points off the board before the half. The run defense on the edge was abysmal.

I honestly thought the defense only played alright. Our offensive ineptitude lead to SEA playing not to lose on offense which limited their production as much as our defense did and the opportunities to make game changing plays were missed by our team. I'm not saying they played poorly or anything, but I don't think anyone in the locker room should be feeling like they were dominant and did all they could to let us win but it was 100% the offense's fault either.

 

[Wozzy]

Tip of the Cap to our D that Maye Fumble deep in our Territory Broke their will last night. That was pretty Tough to watch.

The lopsided time of possession in Seattle’s favor hurt the most. It’s deflating to watch your offense go out and punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt and punt before fumbling it… the defense gets tired physically but also mentally worn down.

 

[PatsFan2]

The lopsided time of possession in Seattle’s favor hurt the most. It’s deflating to watch your offense go out and punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt and punt before fumbling it… the defense gets tired physically but also mentally worn down.

I put it on Josh McDaniels he had no plan going in for two weeks embarrassing. I want nobody telling me how Great he is disgusting.

 

[KCSVEN]

Zack Kuhr's stock has skyrocketed.

The additions of Williams, Davis and Spillane transformed this defense.

If post season had counted Zak Kuhr deserved assistant coach of the year over Josh. Considering how he got the job, he might have deserved it in regular season as well.

I think in today's NFL the BB staple of bend and don't break defense by keeping it in front of you and rally to the ball is not as effective unless you can get home with a 4-man rush.

Blitzing the crap out of MOST QB's these days is the way to win, Pressure the QB is #1, great coverage #2. They don't have the depth of pass rushing talent, but Kuhr figured out how to time blitzes to get the pressure needed.