2017 Defense vs 2019 Defense

Is someone able to give me an x's and o's breakdown as to why this year's defense is better than 2017? I ask because I've seen it mentioned many times that the 2017 defense was short on talent. But the stats say otherwise.

Again, I'm not debating that the 2019 defense is better. They most certainly are. I'm just having trouble coming up with the specific reasons why.

I think the biggest improvement has been not giving up big plays and we can stop the run a lot better than we did

Players playing up to their potential?

Fatty P
Collins
Pro Bowl Van Noy
Winovich
improved Butler, Shelton
best secondary in the league
healthy Hightower


2017 defense couldn't cover and especially atrocious at linebacker.

2019 defense can send the heat and still doesn't get beat deep.

Oh man.. it’s early and all. But there’s no comparison. Not even close.

That team was a fake good defense, which was debated at nauseum around here.

Super Bowl plenty exposed it, Butler or no Butler.

Assuming a sub-package, here is a line up comparsion:
2017:
DE: Trey Flowers
DT: Malcom Brown
DE: Lawrence Guy
LB: Elandon Roberts/Donta Hightower*
LB: Kyle Van Noy/Cassius Marsh/Marquise Flower
CB: Malcolm Butler
CB: Stephon Gilmore
3rd CB/S: Jon Jones*/Eric Rowe/Duron Harmon/Johnson Bademosi
SS: Patrick Chung
FS: Devin McCourty
2019:
DE: Jon Simon/Deatrich Wise/Chase Winovich
DT: Danny Shelton/Lawrence Guy
DE: Lawrence Guy/Shilique Calhoun/Michael Bennett
LB: Kyle Van Noy
LB: Dont'a Hightower/Ja'Whaun Bentley/Elandon Roberts
LB: Jaime Collins
CB: Stephon Gilmore
CB: Jason McCourty/J.C. Jackson
3rd CB/S: Jon Jones/Duron Harmon
SS: Patrick Chung
FS: Devin McCourty
Looking at the comparison..the short answer is:
1.) Jon Jones' injury.
2.) Butler being benched for one big game.
3.) Jaime Collins' return.
4.) Hightower not being lost for the season.
5.) An upgrade of the front 7's depth/edge rushers....

Joey007 said:

Oh man.. it’s ealry and all. But there’s no comparison. Not even close.

That team was a fake good defense, which was debated at nauseum around here.

Super Bowl plenty exposed it, Butler or no Butler.

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2017 defense:

#31 DVOA

2019 defense:

#1 DVOA

Marsh was bad.. got released.. we were desperate for James Harrison

Gilmore has improved significantly since the 2017 version.

TB_Helmet said:

Gilmore has improved significantly since the 2017 version.

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Gilmore was the least of the Pats worries. Butler and the dline were atrocious all season.

TB_Helmet said:

Gilmore has improved significantly since the 2017 version.

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I would argue that 2nd half of 2017 Gilmore was already the best cornerback in football.

These answers are exactly what I am looking for. Thanks!!

Patstastic said:

Is someone able to give me an x's and o's breakdown as to why this year's defense is better than 2017? I ask because I've seen it mentioned many times that the 2017 defense was short on talent. But the stats say otherwise.

Again, I'm not debating that the 2019 defense is better. They most certainly are. I'm just having trouble coming up with the specific reasons why.

Click to expand...

The stats actually say exactly that when comparing the two different teams.

TB_Helmet said:

Gilmore has improved significantly since the 2017 version.

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Gilmore was the MVP on defense even in 2017. He had a rough start but after he came from the concussion he played really well.

Couldn't stop the run with Branch hitting the cliff (or Panda Express).

Not a lot of LB depth and talent after HT was lost midseason. Butler playing hero ball for a new contract. KVN and A. Butler not quite there yet.

2017 couldn't stop the run... Blount ran all over us in SB

luuked said:

Couldn't stop the run with Branch hitting the cliff (or Panda Express).

Not a lot of LB depth and talent after HT was lost midseason. Butler playing hero ball for a new contract. KVN and Butler not quite there yet.

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Uncle Phil was a total cliff dive in 2017. Destabilized the entire defensive front.

PatsGirl2011 said:

Gilmore was the least of the Pats worries. Butler and the dline were atrocious all season.

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SBLIII said:

I would argue that 2nd half of 2017 Gilmore was already the best cornerback in football.

Click to expand...

luuked said:

Gilmore was the MVP on defense even in 2017. He had a rough start but after he came from the concussion he played really well.

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Fair enough. Just reviewed the Super Bowl tape vs the Eagles and don't disagree, I guess my recollection is clouded by his rough start and the overall performance of the secondary that game.

I'd still say the 2019 version of Gilmore is better to some degree.

TB_Helmet said:

Fair enough. Just reviewed the Super Bowl tape vs the Eagles and don't disagree, I guess my recollection is clouded by his rough start and the overall performance of the secondary that game.

I'd still say the 2019 version of Gilmore is better to some degree.

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Ouch...are you okay?

luuked said:

Couldn't stop the run with Branch hitting the cliff (or Panda Express).

Not a lot of LB depth and talent after HT was lost midseason. Butler playing hero ball for a new contract. KVN and Butler not quite there yet.

Click to expand...

I think the Hightower loss was huge, and the SB result is different if he hadn’t been injured.