Just me or defensive scheme seem way better?

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Not sure if this is just my amateur eyes watching the game, but did anyone else really enjoy watching this defense for first time in years? It seemed a lot different from the Patricia scheme, which tend to be very unaggresive and hope the quarterback makes a mistake. I didn’t see many guys wide open on the Texans, many “go ahead and take it if you want it” plays, and there seems to be a lot more consistent pressure up front. I’m sure there are disadvantages to this scheme as well, but today is sure seemed like the right defense.

 

[Soliel]

It’s far better.i know because last year I’d be hopelessly drunk by half time yelling: can’t we tackle anyone?

This game was nice to watch

 

[RobertWeathers]

Christ here we go.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Christ here we go.

???

 

[bormio]

Pass Rush makes a D look better

 

[mcmurtry86]

Scheme wasn't much, if any, different. Hightower back and good pass rush games by some guys along the DL (Wise, Guy, Davis, Flowers) improved the performance of the unit.

Need to watch the all 22 but Shelton and Clayborn seemed to be pretty invisible in their debuts (unlike Bentley and Davis)

 

[mcmurtry86]

Pass Rush makes a D look better

Pressure from a 4 man rush makes a huge difference

 

[RobertWeathers]

???

Who gives a crap about the scheme?

It's about points allowed and wins.

Are optics relevant?

 

[Jackson 2]

The front 7 has better players.

 

[Marqui]

Way better defensive coordinator this year.

 

[fightingirish595]

Better players.I saw a good mix of generating pass rush but coverage guys doing their thing if there was not much pass rush

 

[TBR]

How much does Belichick allow his coordinators to dictate the defense?

Do we know?

 

[Deus Irae]

The Patriots played against a terrible QB today, and they had the added advantage of playing against a completely revamped OL that lost players and had to adjust. Watson should get much better as the year goes on, so that'll look better for the Texans.

 

[Marqui]

How much does Belichick allow his coordinators to dictate the defense?

Do we know?

More than people give credit for. Players use to comment how easier it was to understand Crennel's implementation of the defense than Belichick's.

 

[PP2]

The Patriots played against a terrible QB today, and they had the added advantage of playing against a completely revamped OL that lost players and had to adjust. Watson should get much better as the year goes on, so that'll look better for the Texans.

Not a terrible QB, but a QB who is definitely not back to form- not anywhere near the runner/thrower he was last year.

However Houston's OL isn't anywhere near the best in the NFL, so probably should temper our expectations as to what our DL can do.

 

[Deus Irae]

Not a terrible QB, but a QB who is definitely not back to form- not anywhere near the runner/thrower he was last year.

He was terrible out there today, for reasons that weren't (at least all) about the Patriots. That's what I meant. Between rust and apparent tentativeness about his knee, that was not the Watson so many saw last season.

However Houston's OL isn't anywhere near the best in the NFL, so probably should temper our expectations as to what our DL can do.

Next will will probably be a much more difficult test for the line, if Fournette is healthy for the game.

 

[Kontradiction]

aNYOnE tHiNk TeH dEfEnSe WaS AGGRESIVE?/

 

[hodgey]

For crying out loud can't we just admit the defense looked much better than anyone could have anticipated. Damn I have criticized the D as much as anyone in the past but today gives me hope moving forward.

 

[Triumph]

The Patriots played against a terrible QB today, and they had the added advantage of playing against a completely revamped OL that lost players and had to adjust. Watson should get much better as the year goes on, so that'll look better for the Texans.

The defense was not supposed to be better in fact you gave me the impression that it would be worse. Now that the defense was outstanding despite a few hiccups its all due to Watson and his OL.

NE had pressure on Watson all day. He was jittery for good reason.
The D held Houston to 2 FGs for 30 minutes.
One Houston TD came because of gift wrapped field position due to a fumble on a kick.
Houston did not have a 100 yard rusher.
Watson completed on 50% of his passes.

Oh, ya, Danny Shelton was eating up double teams and not budging an inch. The LBs were flying around.

 

[Triumph]

The Pats are leading the AFC East.