Is our defense good enough for a SB run?

[p8ryts]

They have already played Cook and Allen.

I would say we caught them unaware. This time they will be aware, focused and if they are smart, focus more on Cook. Doesn't mean we won't beat them, just that is MY measuring game.

 

[sportnik]

What a ******ed poll. Our Defense is the second best thing about this team, behind Maye. The combination of this D, plus Maye is so reminiscent of the glorious 2001 - 2004 run...

 

[p8ryts]

Know what's crazy?

We have the answer to that already.

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills - October 5th, 2025 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 23 at Buffalo Bills 20 on October 5th, 2025 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

see my previous response to Huckleberry

 

[p8ryts]

Already did that?

see my response to Huckleberry and Tommy

 

[Vindicate]

Yes... depending on other things. Here is what the Pats need to win the super bowl. And personally I believe they need all these things. Not to say it is completely impossible if they don't have them, as technically any team in the playoffs has a chance and a few flukes in a row can happen.... but moving on.

1 They need health. From the Following players. All 5 DBs, Williams, Landry/Chaisson (They need at least 1). Campbell, Moses, Henry, Diggs, Boutte, Maye, Henderson and Williams (I'll explain that one later). While Spillane would hurt.. I think they could survive it right now. Same for Barmore or any one interior OL. BTW this is true only up to the super bowl. Once your in the big game, even against a good team, anything can happen. If someone important goes down it sucks. But we've seen how these games can be. But if one goes out earlier and you now need to win 2 tough games like this.... i don't see it.

2 They need the bye. I don't think this team can win 4 in a row vs that level of competition.. And Denver in Denver would just make the path much hard.

3 They need Henderson/Williams to BOTH make big plays. It is unlikely they get enough from only 1. They need someone to turn a small play into a huge one. Not Maye dropping it into a bucket 40 yards down field. I assume they will have that. They need explosive plays too that are made by play makers turning small gains into huge ones. Maybe one can carry the load here in the playoffs, but i doubt it.

4 They need Marcus Jones to be a factor in the return game. Not just good returns, he needs to really flip the field a few times in this run with breaking a few for big chunks.

5 Should go without saying, but they need to play relatively clean. Low penalties, low turnovers.

If they get those 5 things I like their chances. #5 they can control. #4 I think will happen. #2 If they take care of business vs the Bills I think they get. #1 and #3 are wild cards.

The beauty of this post is that it also illustrates what an opposing coach has to plan around when broken down:

Marcus Jones can break off at any moment

Williams can blow the top off at any moment

Diggs is Diggs

Hollins can have a 100yd game

Henry can have a 100yd game

Boutte will be a quiet dagger on 3rd down

Treveyon Henderson can run faster than you and make you miss.

Their secondary is stout.

Their DL is a threat, especially when healthy.

Their QB is incredibly accurate.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I would say we caught them unaware. This time they will be aware, focused and if they are smart, focus more on Cook. Doesn't mean we won't beat them, just that is MY measuring game.

This is like a Bills fan saying the Patriots haven't played anyone good yet.

You thinking they "caught them unaware" doesnt change the fact that they already played them and beat them, in Buffalo.

 

[farn]

Ray is always the real answer.

But if we go further : it’s « I don’t know ». Here is what I do know, however : this team has a few people on D that’ll make a big play. That’s been missing for half a decade. Gonzo, Barmore & Williams are impact performers who can give you that one big play you need. Others, such as Jones and Spillane, I feel confident can get you a big okay as well on occasion.

I like the fact that at least a handful of defensive players can be counted upon when it matter. That’s good enough, in most spots, if Maye keeps rolling.

 

[p8ryts]

This is like a Bills fan saying the Patriots haven't played anyone good yet.

You thinking they "caught them unaware" doesnt change the fact that they already played them and beat them, in Buffalo.

You win. They did win the game in Buffalo.

 

[Real fan 02]

Maye has yet to be stopped this season despite an anemic running game.

Granted the red zone offense is concerning.

For me, the primary concern in the playoffs will be the defense against elite offenses especially if Williams and Tonga are out or aren't their usual selves.

Discuss.

I feel it's highly likely Williams and Tonga will be back for the stretch run.. this defense has been impressive and they mirror statistics/traits of past patiots teams that have made it to superbowls..

They re-established thier run defense against the giants and having key guys back after some much needed time off will pay dividends.

 

[VrabelJr]

Yeah Maye sucks. We should trade him amiright?

Yeah that’s exactly what I said. Do you have a life?

 

[Ring 6]

Yeah that’s exactly what I said. Do you have a life?

Might as well have. You think our MVP QB is going to be the reason we lose.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

We're not the same D without Williams and Tonga, so we'll have trouble with Buffalo next week with Williams out and Tonga maybe out. Williams should be recovered by end of regular season if not sooner. Tonga we don't really know about unless I missed some news - the only clue about the severity of his chest injury is they didn't put him on IR.

 

[Real fan 02]

We're not the same D without Williams and Tonga, so we'll have trouble with Buffalo next week with Williams out and Tonga maybe out. Williams should be recovered by end of regular season if not sooner. Tonga we don't really know about unless I missed some news - the only clue about the severity of his chest injury is they didn't put him on IR.

Tonga was pretty much what you heard chest issue. He was likely kept out last game to allow more a time to heal... I'll say we have some Dawgs up front in the rotation.. Durden is really good.. and with Tonga and Williams coming back for the home stretch will be huge...

 

[Ring 6]

Tonga was pretty much what you heard chest issue. He was likely kept out last game to allow more a time to heal... I'll say we have some Dawgs up front in the rotation.. Durden is really good.. and with Tonga and Williams coming back for the home stretch will be huge...

Gregory played a lot last week too

 

[Real fan 02]

Gregory played a lot last week too

Yes! He was good too.. the defensive line reminds me of past patiots team who always had quality depth beyond the starters.. they really came out to stuffed the run and pressured from the defensive line.. once Tonga and milt return going to be even better..

 

[Ring 6]

I would say we caught them unaware. This time they will be aware, focused and if they are smart, focus more on Cook. Doesn't mean we won't beat them, just that is MY measuring game.

How do you catch a team unaware?

 

[Ring 6]

Yes! He was good too.. the defensive line reminds me of past patiots team who always had quality depth beyond the starters.. they really came out to stuffed the run and pressured from the defensive line.. once Tonga and milt return going to be even better..

I’m not sure how good he was but he was out there.

 

[Ian]

I really can't think of a team that'd hugely threaten our defense that also wouldn't be threatened by our offense, if that makes sense. Therefore, it is good enough.

I think this sums it up. There really aren’t any “scary” offenses this season and there’s a lot of good but very little - if any - “great” across the league this year.

Honestly, it’s going to come down to who is playing the best football down the stretch. What’s crazy is this Patriots team isn’t even doing that yet, and if they can continue improving on offense and the defense can make a few more stops than their opponent, they’ll definitely have a shot.

 

[TheRainMaker]

The short answer is yes, if heathy. They have the formula which is stop the run and have the CB’s to match up in the passing game. 99.9% of teams around the NFL are scrambling to to just to find one good CB. While the 2025 pass defense is mediocre statistically, so were the 2001 team. They gave up a lot of passing yards, but not TD’s. Gonzalez, Davis and Jones are capable.

With that said, every defense cracks at some point and it will come down to whether Maye can carry the team as their running game can’t be relied upon.

 

[Real fan 02]

I’m not sure how good he was but he was out there.

He held his own. If he didn't he would have been standing next to Vrabel. But the depth is as good on the defensive line than it's been in years..