Patriots' Defense (another look)

[ivanvamp]

First 4 games
PPG allowed: 24.5
YPG allowed: 477.5
sacks per game: 1.5 (6 in 4 games)

Last 5 games
PPG allowed: 20.4
YPG allowed: 359.6
sacks per game: 2.8 (14 in 5 games)

So the Pats haven't morphed into the 1985 Bears on D, but they definitely are improving. FWIW, if they gave up 359.6 ypg for the entire season, that would put them as the 18th ranked D in the league. And the 20.4 ppg would have them ranked 12th. Again, not great, but pretty much about average.

And a team with a dominant offense and an average defense can do some real damage.

 

[Gostkowski for 3]

The righteous prospering, the wicked suffering.

 

[Fencer]

First 4 games
PPG allowed: 24.5
YPG allowed: 477.5
sacks per game: 1.5 (6 in 4 games)

Last 5 games
PPG allowed: 20.4
YPG allowed: 359.6
sacks per game: 2.8 (14 in 5 games)

So the Pats haven't morphed into the 1985 Bears on D, but they definitely are improving. FWIW, if they gave up 359.6 ypg for the entire season, that would put them as the 18th ranked D in the league. And the 20.4 ppg would have them ranked 12th. Again, not great, but pretty much about average.

And a team with a dominant offense and an average defense can do some real damage.

That's a bit fallacious, since offensive output was higher league-wide earlier in the season. At least, I think it was ...

 

[letekro]

That's a bit fallacious, since offensive output was higher league-wide earlier in the season. At least, I think it was ...

Not fallacious at all. The Patriots' defense is improving. That fact is not affected by the fact that other defenses have improved as well over the course of the season.