Just some defensive stats...take them for what they're worth

[Hitman Harris]

The defense has allowed 122 yds per game less in games 4-8. There it is, black and white. No spin necessary.

Games 1-4: 477.5 YAPG
Games 5-8: 355 YAPG

Why do you refuse to admit that the defense has made a marked improvement at restricting teams moving the ball in spite of the obvious and compelling evidence right in front of your face?

Because of the Steelers game when they could not get off the field. The offense was never even given a fair shot to win the game. The Steelers didn't put up yards with big homerun plays they just outplayed the Pats every single play.

 

[Rob0729]

I actually post on TGG under a different username. YPG is the number 1 statistic to define a defense but while there are a few tiny tiny improvements there is also one category you failed to mention and that is you guys have forced far less turnovers lately. The one thing I was impressed about by your defense earlier in the season was even though people were moving the ball on you you always seemed to get that important turnover. Not so much anymore.

I hate using yards as a measure of either the offense or the defense. It is a stupid way of measuring.

Yes, the turnovers are down, but in the last four games the Pats have faced several QBs who just don't turn over the ball this year. Look at the QBs they played:

Henne - 4 INTs in 4 games played
Rivers - 15 INTs (leads the league)
Fitzpatrick - 9 INTs
Campbell - 4 in 6 games played (and I think he left early in the sixth)

Romo - 7 INTs
Sanchez - 7 INTs
Roethlisberger - 8 INTs, but three were against Baltimore in the first game
Manning - 6 INTs and he got half of them in a strange game against the Seahawks

So for the most part, QBs the Pats played in the first four weeks throw more picks than the guys in the last 4 weeks. That might be a part of it.

 

[Hitman Harris]

I hate using yards as a measure of either the offense or the defense. It is a stupid way of measuring.

Yes, the turnovers are down, but in the last four games the Pats have faced several QBs who just don't turn over the ball this year. Look at the QBs they played:

Henne - 4 INTs in 4 games played
Rivers - 15 INTs (leads the league)
Fitzpatrick - 9 INTs
Campbell - 4 in 6 games played (and I think he left early in the sixth)

Romo - 7 INTs
Sanchez - 7 INTs
Roethlisberger - 8 INTs, but three were against Baltimore in the first game
Manning - 6 INTs and he got half of them in a strange game against the Seahawks

So for the most part, QBs the Pats played in the first four weeks throw more picks than the guys in the last 4 weeks. That might be a part of it.

Very true but if they are giving up the yards they do then they need to figure out a way to force more turnovers. Pats D is a lot like the Bills D in that sense.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I actually post on TGG under a different username. YPG is the number 1 statistic to define a defense but while there are a few tiny tiny improvements there is also one category you failed to mention and that is you guys have forced far less turnovers lately. The one thing I was impressed about by your defense earlier in the season was even though people were moving the ball on you you always seemed to get that important turnover. Not so much anymore.

YPG is the #1 stastistic the zeroes in a fanbase hang on to delude themselves into being angry because they just want to be angry or simply don't possess the intelligence to evaluate matters.

You seem to gravitate to the simply clueless herd.

The Jets and Patriots played back to back weeks in Oakland.

Post the numbers and we'll discuss.

Maybe we can get you beyond clueless.

 

[Hitman Harris]

YPG is the #1 stastistic the zeroes in a fanbase hang on to delude themselves into being angry because they just want to be angry or simply don't possess the intelligence to evaluate matters.

You seem to gravitate to the simply clueless herd.

The Jets and Patriots played back to back weeks in Oakland.

Post the numbers and we'll discuss.

Maybe we can get you beyond clueless.

You're crazy. The Patriots defense has been awful. Not just bad. AWFUL. Worst in all of football. If your defense even remotely looked like a professional defense then you would be 7-1 right now. You are absolutely delusional for thinking your defense is better then it is. You can call me a Jets homer all you want but we are way harder on our below average offense then you are on your dead last defense. If our O ranked last in YPG we would be tearing them apart and all you continue to do is make excuses for them.

 

[Rob0729]

You're crazy. The Patriots defense has been awful. Not just bad. AWFUL. Worst in all of football. If your defense even remotely looked like a professional defense then you would be 7-1 right now. You are absolutely delusional for thinking your defense is better then it is. You can call me a Jets homer all you want but we are way harder on our below average offense then you are on your dead last defense. If our O ranked last in YPG we would be tearing them apart and all you continue to do is make excuses for them.

In recent weeks, it hasn't been awful. It isn't good by any stretch of the imagination, but at times it has been outstanding. The problem with the Pats defense is consistency, not that it is horrible. For three and 3 3/4 quarters last Sunday it was great, the last five minutes it was miserable. Against the Jets, it was great other than a handful of drives which was enough to keep the game close.

 

[Hitman Harris]

In recent weeks, it hasn't been awful. It isn't good by any stretch of the imagination, but at times it has been outstanding. The problem with the Pats defense is consistency, not that it is horrible. For three and 3 3/4 quarters last Sunday it was great, the last five minutes it was miserable. Against the Jets, it was great other than a handful of drives which was enough to keep the game close.

The Giants were without their starting RB, center, and best WR. The giants offense looked awful most of the game but when the game was on the line they got it done and marched down the field with ease against the Pats D. They are consistently bad and to say they are outstanding at times is silly because those times are few and far between.

 

[Deus Irae]

You're crazy. The Patriots defense has been awful. Not just bad. AWFUL. Worst in all of football. If your defense even remotely looked like a professional defense then you would be 7-1 right now. You are absolutely delusional for thinking your defense is better then it is. You can call me a Jets homer all you want but we are way harder on our below average offense then you are on your dead last defense. If our O ranked last in YPG we would be tearing them apart and all you continue to do is make excuses for them.

You are absolutely correct on this. If the defense hadn't spit the bit against both Buffalo and the Giants, the Patriots would be 7-1 right now, and would be in the process of cruising to the #1 seed in the AFC.

 

[Rob0729]

The Giants were without their starting RB, center, and best WR. The giants offense looked awful most of the game but when the game was on the line they got it done and marched down the field with ease against the Pats D. They are consistently bad and to say they are outstanding at times is silly because those times are few and far between.

You do realize if you take away Hakeem Nicks' 575 passing yards, Manning still has more passing yards than Sanchez? And that isn't how it works. Cruz is on his way to a 1,200 yard season and Ballard only has 30 less receiving yards than Dustin Keller. The Giants are still a good offense without those players.

BTW, in the final two drives, the Pats had already lost two of their starting LBs and starting one safety. Spikes went down earlier in the game. Guyton went out before the second to last drive. Barrett went down for the year before that. And it took two big PI penalties for the Giants to move down the field. If we are going to count injuries, we gotta do it both ways.

Besides, don't you think a Eli Manning led offense even without those three players were far better than the Dolphins were with Henne at the beginning of the season?

 

[bigfandan]

Bull****, stop using injuries as execuse. Who gives a **** to Brandon Spikes.

Pittburg has missed pro-bowlers like woodley, harrison, farrior, and polumalo for games and they don't suck nearly as NEP do.

BTW, in the final two drives, the Pats had already lost two of their starting LBs and starting one safety. Spikes went down earlier in the game. Guyton went out before the second to last drive. Barrett went down for the year before that. And it took two big PI penalties for the Giants to move down the field. If we are going to count injuries, we gotta do it both ways.

 

[JJDChE]

what does ot all mean, batgirl?

home: 365ypg.....3 home games weeks 5-8
away: 466ypg.....3 away games weeks 1-4

what it means is that the numbers are skewed because of where they played and really nothing else

Nice effort, kind of. The one home game they played in the first 4 weeks they allowed 470 yards. They've only played well at home since week 5.


You almost had something there.

 

[cstjohn17]

Ahem, not the worst.

Yards per game against, #4
1950 Baltimore Colts - 450.2
1950 New York Yanks- 435.0
1981 Baltimore Colts-424.6
2011 New England Patriots-416.3
1951 New York Yanks - 415.9

 

[mgcolby]

what does ot all mean, batgirl?

home: 365ypg.....3 home games weeks 5-8
away: 466ypg.....3 away games weeks 1-4

what it means is that the numbers are skewed because of where they played and really nothing else

So what you are saying is that if they do it at home it doesn't count? :bricks:

 

[mgcolby]

You are absolutely correct on this. If the defense hadn't spit the bit against both Buffalo and the Giants, the Patriots would be 7-1 right now, and would be in the process of cruising to the #1 seed in the AFC.

I partially agree with that....the offense/ST's turning the ball over 4 times doesn't help....and both units should get their lions share of the blame.

 

[IllegalContact]

So what you are saying is that if they do it at home it doesn't count? :bricks:

Sure....but it doesn't mean they are any better now than at the beginning of the season.....

Did I really have to explain that to you?

 

[mgcolby]

Sure....but it doesn't mean they are any better now than at the beginning of the season.....

Did I really have to explain that to you?

I was just making sure I understood you correctly....so if we win at home does that count in the standings or....

 

[JJDChE]

Sure....but it doesn't mean they are any better now than at the beginning of the season.....

Did I really have to explain that to you?

Well you certainly haven't explained anything yet, so it would be a good time to start.

 

[Patspsycho]

I partially agree with that....the offense/ST's turning the ball over 4 times doesn't help....and both units should get their lions share of the blame.

As the season has progressed, the defense is getting less and less of the blame.

The onus is now on the offense.