Defense!!!

Talib is worth his weight in gold. They all get burned at some point but he is at least in the same zip code as the receiver when they do make the catch. It is good to get a full season out of him.

bigballas said:

But bills, jets, bucs... We're talking below avg passers

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Atlanta is going to be the first real test for this defense. That said, back in 2011 and early 2012, the defense would have given up 300+ yards passing and 17-24 points to these offenses. So it's definitely a step up from where they were. Whether it's good enough remains to be seen.

DefenseRules said:

And they looked like mediocre QBs. Over the last few years how often did we complain that mediocre QBs had career days against this defense. Some of them were compared to Joe Montana for goodness sakes. THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT. These average QBs looked AVERAGE against them. No more career days for mediocre QBs. Next week will be a real test.

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^ THIS. It's what I was yelling at my radio today when Tanguay was making the "they've only played bad teams" argument during the post-game show. I get it, they've yet to be tested. However, they made some bad QBs and offenses look awesome over the past few years. So I am just glad to see pressure and decent coverage.

We'll see what happens in the coming weeks, but I am just happy today.

AndyJohnson said:

I know its popular around here to diminish the defense based on opponent, whether, moon phase or whatever comes to mind, but this defense has been excellent.
3 TDs in 3 games. Its not easy to find defenses who do that against any competition.
Depending on Seattles outcome it appears the Pats will be #2 in points allowed.

52/103 passing is just over 50% completed which is incredible.

There is absolutely no doubt that the defense has improved dramatically.

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Defensive backs that actually look back to intercept or breakup a pass. What a difference that makes.

STFarmy said:

^ THIS. It's what I was yelling at my radio today when Tanguay was making the "they've only played bad teams" argument during the post-game show. I get it, they've yet to be tested. However, they made some bad QBs and offenses look awesome over the past few years. So I am just glad to see pressure and decent coverage.

We'll see what happens in the coming weeks, but I am just happy today.

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I had the radio on while I was working in the garage yelling at him too, I hate to say it but I was agreeing with Gresh

I'm not even convinced the Falcons will be the test we're looking for. Jackson is out and Roddy White has been a decoy (has 19, 21, and 16 yards through two games).

I think we might be your test, if our offense starts clicking.

27 points given up in 3 games is nothing to sneeze at.

Oddly, Tampa's WRs were wide open the entire first quarter. They Bucs just had a ton of dropped passes (and a few lucky calls in favor of the pats).

I'm not how they changed the scheme to tighten things up later in the game but do wonder about the caliber of the quarterbacks we've faced in the last 2 games.

So through 3 games

Seahawks Defense 27 PA (9.0 PPG)
Patriots Defense 27 PA (9.0 PPG)

I'm not ready to pronounce this Patriots defense as 'ELITE' yet, but it is clear to me that this defense is 'GOOD'. Bad defenses don't accomplish what the Pats defense has done so far. And the great news is that this defense has a relatively young core which is just starting to show that it is finally 'gelling'.

As long as this unit remains healthy I see them at worse being in the 11th-16th range of NFL defenses. If it continues to improve, I can see them becoming a top 10 or even top 5 defense. Though I think top 10 is more likely than top 5. If they continue to hold out against the tougher NFL offenses we face this season, well we will have a REALLY GOOD thing going for us!

As for the overall team, I see some positive signs of the O coming to life. If the 2013 Pats peak in December, this team can make a deep playoff push. I am quite bullish on our prospects as long as the defense and offense continue to trend upwards like this.

supafly said:

Yeah, the next 3 games will certainly bring the good numbers to the middle of the pack again, but as Andy has noted the defense has definitely improved no matter how you look at it.

I don't think they are as good as the numbers are suggesting, but either way there were plenty of times in the past where we'd have given up many more yds and points to teams of this caliber.

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JMC00 said:

So through 3 games

Seahawks Defense 27 PA (9.0 PPG)
Patriots Defense 27 PA (9.0 PPG)

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Seattle kills NE in ypg though. Their D is truly shutdown.

Marqui said:

Seattle is kills NE in ypg though. Their D is truly shutdown.

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seattle is a different team on the road....

pherein said:

I think we might be your test, if our offense starts clicking.

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You definitely will be. We will really need to bring our A Game against you guys but i am looking forward to seeing how the D goes because lets face it. yours is the caliber of team we want to beat come playoff time.

Sciz said:

I'm not even convinced the Falcons will be the test we're looking for. Jackson is out and Roddy White has been a decoy (has 19, 21, and 16 yards through two games).

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Exactly. I'm not writing off their potential, but with all their injuries to important players, they're not the same offense everyone expected them to be.

It will be a test for sure, but the first real test, in terms of an elite QB/offense, won't come until week 6 when the Saints come marching in.

Either way, this defense is the best unit I've seen since 2008 and that's all that matters to me. As a fan you can't really ask for much more than they've showed so far, given the circumstances.

Going back to the 2nd quarter of last year's Colts game (Talib's first game here) the defense has been great at full strength, top 10 for sure and maybe top 5 now with Jones emerging and Kelly here to bolster the pass rush. At full strength I think it's a capable defense regardless of the weak schedule so far. My only true worry still is our CB depth, which luckily hasn't truly been tested yet due to Talib/Dennard finally staying healthy but in certain games last year when one or both went down (SF, AFCC) it was a complete turnaround. Let's hope the improved pass rush or Ryan is able to weather the storm in the case that one of the top 3 go down.

DefenseRules said:

And they looked like mediocre QBs. Over the last few years how often did we complain that mediocre QBs had career days against this defense. Some of them were compared to Joe Montana for goodness sakes. THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT. These average QBs looked AVERAGE against them. No more career days for mediocre QBs. Next week will be a real test.

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:yeahthat:

Sciz said:

I'm not even convinced the Falcons will be the test we're looking for. Jackson is out and Roddy White has been a decoy (has 19, 21, and 16 yards through two games).

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The Falcons have a very good quarterback and one of the best WR's in the NFL. Of course they're going to be the defense's first real test.

Id consider the Bengals an elite offense. They have to be the most balanced offense in the entire league. They have a nice 1-2 punch at RB, obviously AJ Green, Gresham at TE and Eifert is coming along. Sanu is looking like he should have been the first or second rounder many thought he would be. Dalton isn't near Brees level of course but with their balance and weapons he doesn't need to be.

jsull87 said:

You definitely will be. We will really need to bring our A Game against you guys but i am looking forward to seeing how the D goes because lets face it. yours is the caliber of team we want to beat come playoff time.

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Im not sure our A game will be good enouph, but I really think the Saints are a good team this year. Ive never seen a defense this good in NO, and if we can get the same offense it could be pretty amazing. Your the type of team that we need to play to get better. I know your defense will have its hands full covering Colston,Moore, Stills, Meachum, Graham, and others..and our D will have fits trying to cover yours. Game made in heaven.. and early to so we can both learn and adjust

Really happy to see this defense coming together and contributing big time to the wins when they need them most. Belichick has been building towards this for about 4 years and it looks like they are about to be able to take the next steps and start running more complex schemes. They aren't dominant but they are really solid and appear to have good depth. The best part imo is that they have a track record of getting better and better as the season progresses and if they follow that path this year then they are going to be very good.