Any discussion about how good the Patriots defense really was in 2019 must also consider how good the Pats D was down the stretch and through the playoffs in 2018.
The 2018 defense shut out the Chiefs for a half in the AFCCG, and held them in check until Travis Kelce started pushing off J.C. Jackson with impunity and Jackson started being called for insignificant contact and good guy Andy Reid resorted to running intentional pick plays to move the ball. Then, they held a previously dynamic Rams team to a FG in the Super Bowl.
Discount the first half of last season all you want. But, look at the Chiefs loss on 12/8. The Pats D kept them in that game with very little help from their offense and some of the worst officiating you’ll ever see.
This is a darn good D. They’ve upgraded the run D personnel, so we’ll see improvement there, and they’re going to be very difficult to pass against unless they’re beset with secondary injuries as they were in the finale against the Dolphins with both J. McCourty and J. Jones out.
