How a dominant defense improves the offense

[ivanvamp]

This may be nothing more than Football 101, but let's just be reminded of the offensive benefits of a great defense.

1. Turnovers. Dominant defenses tend to get a lot of turnovers. Turnovers help not only because you can score points directly, but because it improves field position considerably. The average turnover+return improves field position roughly 59 yards when compared with a punt+return. According to this chart here at advancednflstats.com (Advanced NFL Stats: Expected Points), those 59 yards improve the expected points value by about +3.5. Thus, if the Pats were expected to get the ball after a punt on their own 20, they would be expected to score about 0.5 points on that possession. But a turnover gives them the ball at the other team's 21, meaning their expected points improves to a little over 4. Short fields and improved field position overall really help an offense, not so much in the yards gained category, but in the all-important points category.

2. Time of Possession. Great defenses get the ball back more quickly for the offense, which allows the offense more time with which to work. Moreover, it gives them more possessions with which to score. Instead of allowing Denver to march 70 yards in 6:50, maybe they get a stop after 17 yards and 2:01. This allows Brady and the offense more opportunity to put points of their own on the board. Just to give you two examples:

- Last year's AFCCG vs. Denver. The Pats scored just 16 points, but they only had 8 possessions.

- Super Bowl 46 vs. NY Giants. The Pats scored just 17 points, but they only had 9 possessions.

3. Takes Pressure Off the Offense. Finally, a great defense is something that the offense can count on to win a game even when they (the offense) aren't playing their best. It's nice to know that you don't have to play a perfect game in order to win. It's less pressure knowing that your defense can have your back and can make a huge play when it needs to. It's nice to not have to go for 4th and 5 because your defense can get a quick stop for you.

So yes, it would be great to add offensive pieces, and I think they will. But a dominant defense, to go along with what is already a very, very good offense, will just make that offense even more lethal.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I fully agree that a dominant defense helps the offense. That is what Tom needs just as much as weapons. If you give Tom enough chances he will drive it in. But also a dominant defense doesn't give up game ending drives, ie the last 2 SB losses. The defense only had to keep the giants out of the EZ to win, and they failed. Then recently the defense couldn't get off the field and limited toms drives and time on the field. You can't let your best weapon sit on the bench for long stretches of time.

 

[pctronics0072]

I think Tom will have a much better season this year than last year. Going against these two ball-hawking CBs in practice daily will allow him to gain a better understanding of how to throw the ball in those conditions and how to avoid interceptions. Therefore, take the GOAT who already has ridiculously low interception numbers and high accuracy and give him experience in improving?

 

[ripatsfan91]

I think Tom will have a much better season this year than last year. Going against these two ball-hawking CBs in practice daily will allow him to gain a better understanding of how to throw the ball in those conditions and how to avoid interceptions. Therefore, take the GOAT who already has ridiculously low interception numbers and high accuracy and give him experience in improving?

Not to mention our young guys at receiver will get better going up against Revis and the gang in practice

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I touched on this a little bit in another thread and why building a dominant defense is more important than getting offensive 'weapons'.

Improving the D solves our problems in more ways than one. The first is obvious. The other not so much. If you look at our offensive failures in the big playoff losses since 2007, many have been a combination of poor execution offensively COMBINED with our defense not being able to get off the field or force turnovers. If Brady's sitting on the sidelines and not getting any help from the D in terms of field position/momentum, it makes it that much harder to establish his rhythm.

As far as targets go, hmm let's see. Rob Gronkowski, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Shane Vereen, Dante Stallworth (not a superstar here but this was one of those 'impact signings' some people are craving at WR), Kevin Faulk one of the most clutch 3rd down backs in history. I'd say he's had enough targets over the years and that didn't stop the offense from failing in big spots. Compare those names to Troy Brown, Deion Branch, David Patten, Christian Fauria, David Givens, Kevin Faulk. 2001-2004 we were never stacked with targets, yet sufficient targets to complement our great defense. IMO the priorities should be fixing our problems on D and beefing up the interior of our OL, keep Brady upright and get him the ball back = the best chance for an efficient output on both sides = better shot at more Lombardi's.

As much as the rules have changed, many of the recent champions - Seahawks, Ravens, Giants 2x, Steelers 2x were not known for their strength being a high flying pass attack. The Colts in 2006 as good as they were passing the ball won in the playoffs because of their improved defense. Whereas some of the best pass attacks, including some historically great units like '04 Colts, '07 Pats, '11 Packers/Patriots, '13 Broncos have all failed to win the big one.

I want to get into the turnover topic a little deeper. Since SB42 (including that game) if you look at all the big AFCCG/SB's we have been in I can think of exactly ONE big turnover that put our offense in a favorable spot - Brandon Spikes INT off Flacco in the 2011 AFCC set us up around midfield. That's it.

Going back to the 3 championship seasons:
-Ty Law pick 6 vs Rams
-Otis INT vs Rams to start in their territory
-Antwan Harris forced fumble vs Rams to start in their territory
-Strip sack on Delhomme to start deep in their territory SB38
-Ty Law pick on Manning in that AFCC, one near midfield
-Ty Law pick on Manning, one in Colts territory
-Rodney Harrison pick 6 in 2004 AFCC
-4th down stuff on Bettis to start near midfield

 

[Big-T]

I hope they have Dobson line up against Revis in every drill, every 7 on 7...just everything. It's a step up from making Cromartie & Ike Taylor look like mugs and if he can get even a tiny amount of success against Revis it will do him the world of good because he will he picked up things to beat a CB that good.

If the defense stays healthy too - just think how much less pressure there is on the offense knowing that 17 - never mind 20+ is likely enough to win the majority of games!

 

[Kontradiction]

How do those that defended the 2011 defense feel about this post? I ask because this was the same argument I and others were making only to be met with an extreme amount of blowback by those that thought that defense was just fine and dandy.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Some people have defended the defense in some of these games saying they didn't play lights out but played 'good enough' to where the offense should have been able to put up 20+ or whatever and win the game. But history shows it's very rare if ever to have a playoff defense that can't force turnovers in big spots but still manages to 'get by' with strictly a good offense. Even the 2009 Saints needed the big Tracy Porter pick 6 and I believe they forced a number of fumbles in that NFCC.

 

[GratefulOne]

A lot of people haven't shared a high opinion of the Pats defense in the Brady era. Stats say one thing, but they have stepped up in big games and been a force peppered with talent. The 2001 team had a solid defense and reminded me of the the 2013 Hawks. It was a great defense.

They have typically had a player that stood out at every level. This year they have some support and it will be huge for making things easier on Brady. In addition, Brady and company can keep the defense rested with sustained drives. Looking good for 2014 Pats fans. Scary that even without it they are seemingly eternally in the AFCC games.

 

[TriplecHamp]

how about field position? Would love to see some stats on how field position effects Brady and this offense.