Since 2007...playoffs

[ivanvamp]

The Patriots became a very different team starting in 2007. Until then, they were solid offensively, but were built mainly on defense.

Rankings (points):
2001: #6 off, #6 def (SB)
2002: #10 off, #17 def
2003: #12 off, #1 def (SB)
2004: #4 off, #2 def (SB)
2005: #10 off, #17 def
2006: #7 off, #2 def
AVG: 8.2 off, 7.5 def

2007: #1 off, #4 def
2008: #8 off, #8 def
2009: #6 off, #5 def
2010: #1 off, #8 def
2011: #3 off, #15 def
2012: #1 off, #9 def
2013: #3 off, #10 def
2014: #4 off, #8 def (SB)
2015: #3 off, #10 def
2016: #3 off, #1 def (SB)
AVG: 3.3 off, 7.8 def

In their SB-winning seasons: 5.8 off, 3.6 def

Since 2007, they've been a much more explosive offensive team than from 2001-2006. But here's what's happened in the playoffs, from an offensive standpoint:

Year: Result (points scored)
2007: W (31), W (21), L (14)
2009: L (14)
2010: L (21)
2011: W (45), W (23), L (17)
2012: W (41), L (13)
2013: W (43), L (16)
2014: W (35), W (45), W (28)
2015: W (27), L (18)
2016: W (34), W (36), W (34)

So in their playoff losses since 2007, they've scored: 14, 14, 21, 17, 13, 16, 18 points. That's an average of 16.1 points a game.

In their playoff wins, they've scored: 31, 21, 45, 23, 41, 43, 35, 45, 27, 34, 36, 34 points. That's an average of 34.5 points a game.

Since 2007, anytime they scored more than 21 points in a playoff game, they've won. Any time they've scored 21 or fewer points, they've lost. I find that surprising. I would have thought they'd have had at least one game where they won like 14-10, and one game where they lost like 34-31. I know those things happened pre-2007, but I'm surprised it hasn't happened since.

On a side note, I'd just like to point out how unbelievably good the Patriots have been. Since 2007, they've been to 4 Super Bowls, 6 AFCCG, and have won two Lombardis.

 

[edkk323]

"balanced" is the word.

 

[brdmaverick]

Since 2007, anytime they scored more than 21 points in a playoff game, they've won. Any time they've scored 21 or fewer points, they've lost.

Well, except the AFC Championship game in '07. They won that one scoring 21 points.

 

[brdmaverick]

Especially in this age of the NFL but I have the mind set that a team will need at least 24 points to get a playoff victory. I know there are anomolies to that, but 24 is my mark to have a 'real' chance.

 

[Nehalem]

Since 2007, anytime they scored more than 21 points in a playoff game, they've won. Any time they've scored 21 or fewer points, they've lost. I find that surprising. I would have thought they'd have had at least one game where they won like 14-10, and one game where they lost like 34-31. I know those things happened pre-2007, but I'm surprised it hasn't happened since.

I don't think its that surprising to be honest. In today's NFL you aren't going to win many games by scoring 13 points. Especially against playoff teams.

And really what we have is

(21 or fewer points) 6 losses
(29 or fewer points) 3 wins(2 of which were very close: Seattle, Baltimore)
Super Bowl 51: 28 points in regulation and then 34 in OT win
(30+ points) 7(excluding Atlanta OT game) comfortable or blowout wins

So basically
21 or less: Loss
21-29: Close win
30+: Easy win

makes sense to me

Besides look at the 2015-2016 seasons. Games where then scored 21 or fewer points

Denver 16-3 win
Buffalo 16-0 loss (without Brady)
Miami 20-10 loss
NYJ 26-20 loss
Buffalo 20-13 win

And our other losses
31-24 Seattle (1 yard from forcing OT)
30-24 Denver (OT forced by Gost FG @ end of reg)
35-28 Philadelphia (down 35-14 with 7:45 left in 4th Q)

So pretty much when failing to score 21 points the Pats are 2-3. And when scoring more than 21 points they are 24-3. With two of those 3 loses being incredibly close and playoff teams, and one they only score more than 21 point due to a literally last second field goal to force OT. And the 3rd loss the Pats only scored more than 21 points due to scoring 2 TDs in garbage time including having to recover an unside kick.

 

[tasmlab]

Averaging 7.5/7.8th in defense isn't chopped liver. Consistently in the top quarter of the league.

Is the ranking based on a basket of stats? Or just points allowed? I would guess if it is the former that the Pats defense measurements could be skewed given the bend/don't break strategy (I forget, have we ever discussed this concept on Patsfans.com before?)

Just watching the games, I agree with the OP's general perspective. I like to think there's been three defenses:
- the highly disciplined, workin'-man one owned by Bruschi
- the good but always-missing-one positional-group-or-another owned by Mayo
- the young SB winners who quietly lead the league owned by High.

 

[mosslost]

The Patriots became a very different team starting in 2007. Until then, they were solid offensively, but were built mainly on defense.

Rankings (points):
2001: #6 off, #6 def (SB)
2002: #10 off, #17 def
2003: #12 off, #1 def (SB)
2004: #4 off, #2 def (SB)
2005: #10 off, #17 def
2006: #7 off, #2 def
AVG: 8.2 off, 7.5 def

2007: #1 off, #4 def
2008: #8 off, #8 def
2009: #6 off, #5 def
2010: #1 off, #8 def
2011: #3 off, #15 def
2012: #1 off, #9 def
2013: #3 off, #10 def
2014: #4 off, #8 def (SB)
2015: #3 off, #10 def
2016: #3 off, #1 def (SB)
AVG: 3.3 off, 7.8 def

In their SB-winning seasons: 5.8 off, 3.6 def

Since 2007, they've been a much more explosive offensive team than from 2001-2006. But here's what's happened in the playoffs, from an offensive standpoint:

Year: Result (points scored)
2007: W (31), W (21), L (14)
2009: L (14)
2010: L (21)
2011: W (45), W (23), L (17)
2012: W (41), L (13)
2013: W (43), L (16)
2014: W (35), W (45), W (28)
2015: W (27), L (18)
2016: W (34), W (36), W (34)

So in their playoff losses since 2007, they've scored: 14, 14, 21, 17, 13, 16, 18 points. That's an average of 16.1 points a game.

In their playoff wins, they've scored: 31, 21, 45, 23, 41, 43, 35, 45, 27, 34, 36, 34 points. That's an average of 34.5 points a game.

Since 2007, anytime they scored more than 21 points in a playoff game, they've won. Any time they've scored 21 or fewer points, they've lost. I find that surprising. I would have thought they'd have had at least one game where they won like 14-10, and one game where they lost like 34-31. I know those things happened pre-2007, but I'm surprised it hasn't happened since.

On a side note, I'd just like to point out how unbelievably good the Patriots have been. Since 2007, they've been to 4 Super Bowls, 6 AFCCG, and have won two Lombardis.

>>would have thought they'd have had at least one game where they won like 14-10

Should have been SB 42

 

[TennisBallHead]

These past two Super Bowls have definitely broken some trends. From 2007-2013 they were starting to feel very Peyton-esque on offense. Record-breaking regular season, playoff loss while scoring in the teens. Now they're basically scoring 30+ against everyone, even in struggles against the likes of Houston.

And the defense, which usually crapped the bed in fourth quarters (14, 19, 7, 14, 6) is now giving up 0.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

The Patriots became a very different team starting in 2007. Until then, they were solid offensively, but were built mainly on defense.

Rankings (points):
2001: #6 off, #6 def (SB)
2002: #10 off, #17 def
2003: #12 off, #1 def (SB)
2004: #4 off, #2 def (SB)
2005: #10 off, #17 def
2006: #7 off, #2 def
AVG: 8.2 off, 7.5 def

2007: #1 off, #4 def
2008: #8 off, #8 def
2009: #6 off, #5 def
2010: #1 off, #8 def
2011: #3 off, #15 def
2012: #1 off, #9 def
2013: #3 off, #10 def
2014: #4 off, #8 def (SB)
2015: #3 off, #10 def
2016: #3 off, #1 def (SB)
AVG: 3.3 off, 7.8 def

In their SB-winning seasons: 5.8 off, 3.6 def

Since 2007, they've been a much more explosive offensive team than from 2001-2006. But here's what's happened in the playoffs, from an offensive standpoint:

Year: Result (points scored)
2007: W (31), W (21), L (14)
2009: L (14)
2010: L (21)
2011: W (45), W (23), L (17)
2012: W (41), L (13)
2013: W (43), L (16)
2014: W (35), W (45), W (28)
2015: W (27), L (18)
2016: W (34), W (36), W (34)

So in their playoff losses since 2007, they've scored: 14, 14, 21, 17, 13, 16, 18 points. That's an average of 16.1 points a game.

In their playoff wins, they've scored: 31, 21, 45, 23, 41, 43, 35, 45, 27, 34, 36, 34 points. That's an average of 34.5 points a game.

Since 2007, anytime they scored more than 21 points in a playoff game, they've won. Any time they've scored 21 or fewer points, they've lost. I find that surprising. I would have thought they'd have had at least one game where they won like 14-10, and one game where they lost like 34-31. I know those things happened pre-2007, but I'm surprised it hasn't happened since.

On a side note, I'd just like to point out how unbelievably good the Patriots have been. Since 2007, they've been to 4 Super Bowls, 6 AFCCG, and have won two Lombardis.

Not bad for a dynasty that supposedly got "stomped out" in 07

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Balance wins championships

 

[stinkypete]

It is absolutely amazing to me that those defenses ranked in the top 10 consistently from 2008 - 2012. Until Aqib Talib came to town, those defenses were terrible.