1780 replies to this topic

[bball831]

15th in NFL at 22.5 PA/G

3rd in NFL at 37 PF/G

Average D, elite offense. Sounds about right to me.

[Sportsbstn]

Excellent win today. The defense still needs to get ALOT better, they are pathetic rushing the QB and cant rely on turnovers on a regular basis against top level teams.

[Mystic Merlin]

Excellent win today. The defense still needs to get ALOT better, they are pathetic rushing the QB and cant rely on turnovers on a regular basis against top level teams.

I agree with this.

I think the talent is undoubtedly there, but the execution is most definitely not. Once you've found a successful approach or matchup against them, they are incapable of adjusting in any way.

Then again, I wonder how San Diego and Baltimore fans feel right now, so it could be worse.

[bigsid05]

Seems very similar to how they lived last year. Really need to tighten up on D if they're going to make it in the postseason this year.

[SemperFidelisSox]

If Branch played more they'd be 3-0.

[Dollar]

Great job, SI.com...

[sachmoney]

What is Wilfork wearing on Fifth Quarter?

[hube]

Too big for a Cosby sweater, so he had one made into a shirt?

[Oogies Loogies]

Brady and Branch one step from making out on the podium right now.


I hope they produce clutch triplets.

[Mugthis]

Is this the best start Brady's ever had?

In 2007, Brady started:

Game 1: 22-28, 297 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 10.6 AVG, 146.6 RAT
Game 2: 25-31, 279 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT, 9.0 AVG, 123 RAT

2011:
Game 1: 32-48, 517 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 10.8 AVG, 121.6 RAT
Game 2: 31-40, 423 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 10.6 AVG, 135.7

Pretty close. 2007 Brady was more accurate, but 2011 Brady threw more, for more yards, and more TDs (barely).

The only other great start he's had was in 2002:

Game 1: 29-43, 294 YDS, 6.8 AVG, 3 TD, 0 INT, 110 RAT
Game 2: 25-35, 269 YDS, 7.7 AVG, 2 TD, 1 INT, 100.8 RAT

Great, but not close.

So yes, this is the best start to Brady's career. Could be the best start ever for a QB, but I don't know.

[jsinger121]

shalisemyoung

Aaron Hernandez was just spotted leaving Patriots locker room - and limping badly

[Mystic Merlin]

Get healthy for the Jets in three weeks.

[phragle]

Seems very similar to how they lived last year. Really need to tighten up on D if they're going to make it in the postseason this year.

[RedOctober3829]

Is this the best start Brady's ever had?

In 2007, Brady started:

Game 1: 22-28, 297 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 10.6 AVG, 146.6 RAT
Game 2: 25-31, 279 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT, 9.0 AVG, 123 RAT

2011:
Game 1: 32-48, 517 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 10.8 AVG, 121.6 RAT
Game 2: 31-40, 423 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT, 10.6 AVG, 135.7

Pretty close. 2007 Brady was more accurate, but 2011 Brady threw more, for more yards, and more TDs (barely).

The only other great start he's had was in 2002:

Game 1: 29-43, 294 YDS, 6.8 AVG, 3 TD, 0 INT, 110 RAT
Game 2: 25-35, 269 YDS, 7.7 AVG, 2 TD, 1 INT, 100.8 RAT

Great, but not close.

So yes, this is the best start to Brady's career. Could be the best start ever for a QB, but I don't know.

This is all well and good, but will this offense(and this team for that matter) be better suited to have success in the playoffs? That's how Brady and this team will be judged. They can put up all these ridiculous numbers during the regular season, but if they go out early in the playoffs again it goes all for naught. They are going to need to grind out games at some point when the passing game isn't going well. How will they respond? That's what I'm waiting to see this year. The first test of that should come against the Jets in 3 weeks.

[Mystic Merlin]

This is all well and good, but will this offense(and this team for that matter) be better suited to have success in the playoffs? That's how Brady and this team will be judged. They can put up all these ridiculous numbers during the regular season, but if they go out early in the playoffs again it goes all for naught. They are going to need to grind out games at some point when the passing game isn't going well. How will they respond? That's what I'm waiting to see this year. The first test of that should come against the Jets in 3 weeks.

They did it today, arguably, on the last offensive drive.

EDIT - And, honestly, if you draw this line all year, you won't enjoy many regular season wins. I mean, we all know they need to get it done in the playoffs, but we can still enjoy the regular season successes, yes?

Edited by Mystic Merlin, 18 September 2011 - 07:58 PM.

[MarcSullivaFan]

The last three teams that won the Superbowl threw the ball all over the place. The style of offense isn't the problem. Protecting the quarterback and stopping opposing passing offenses has been the problem.

[RedOctober3829]

They did it today, arguably, on the last offensive drive.

EDIT - And, honestly, if you draw this line all year, you won't enjoy many regular season wins. I mean, we all know they need to get it done in the playoffs, but we can still enjoy the regular season successes, yes?

Oh I am enjoying it, but unlike in years past I have more of a long-term view of the season and looking for certain things. It's going to come down to how the offense can be successful against the teams that play tough man-to-man defense while also getting to the QB. They have had success in the past against the zone-based teams like San Diego and Pittsburgh, but can they do it against teams like the Jets? Can the receivers get themselves open against aggressive press coverage? Will the interior of the OL(especially now without Koppen for the forseeable future) protect Brady enough so he can stand in the pocket and make the throws? Will the coaching staff bring a more physical style of play and run the ball more when the weather gets colder?

On defense, obviously they need a ton of work in getting off the field on 3rd down. 10-13 is beyond unacceptable. Also, their LBs are atrocious in the underneath coverage. Rivers was killing them checking down to the backs. Like I said before, they have a ton to work on but the positives are there.

Fair or not, the Pats will be judged on a handful of games no matter the gaudy numbers they put up because of the lack of playoff success since the 2007 AFC title game.

Edited by RedOctober3829, 18 September 2011 - 08:12 PM.

[jsinger121]

About the only negative Sunday: Hernandez suffered a knee injury that forced him out of the game at one point. He was spotted in the locker room limping after the game. But asked about the injury he just smiled and noted, "I'm a little sore. We'll see what it is. I'm just getting ready for this next game."

http://espn.go.com/b...-continue-shine

[tims4wins]

Defense caused 4 turnovers. gave up 10-12 on 3rd down. Suffered some injuries though

It's a funny game. Last week they gave up 2-14 on 3rd down, and gave up more points. They didn't force a single punt today. Yet the Chargers only scored 3 times.

[mascho]

Oh I am enjoying it, but unlike in years past I have more of a long-term view of the season and looking for certain things. It's going to come down to how the offense can be successful against the teams that play tough man-to-man defense while also getting to the QB. They have had success in the past against the zone-based teams like San Diego and Pittsburgh, but can they do it against teams like the Jets? Can the receivers get themselves open against aggressive press coverage? Will the interior of the OL(especially now without Koppen for the forseeable future) protect Brady enough so he can stand in the pocket and make the throws? Will the coaching staff bring a more physical style of play and run the ball more when the weather gets colder?

On defense, obviously they need a ton of work in getting off the field on 3rd down. 10-13 is beyond unacceptable. Also, their LBs are atrocious in the underneath coverage. Rivers was killing them checking down to the backs. Like I said before, they have a ton to work on but the positives are there.

Fair or not, the Pats will be judged on a handful of games no matter the gaudy numbers they put up because of the lack of playoff success since the 2007 AFC title game.

I have to think part of this today was due to game-planning. They were so focused on using an LB/SS combo on Gates on most plays, as well as giving help on Jackson and Floyd, that they were giving Rivers the underneath stuff to the backs all day. Especially with a 13 point lead in the second half, when the hook route was there for the backs on nearly every play. Seemed to me they were intent on taking away Gates/Jackson/Floyd and giving Rivers what he could get underneath.

[bigsid05]

Oh I am enjoying it, but unlike in years past I have more of a long-term view of the season and looking for certain things. It's going to come down to how the offense can be successful against the teams that play tough man-to-man defense while also getting to the QB. They have had success in the past against the zone-based teams like San Diego and Pittsburgh, but can they do it against teams like the Jets? Can the receivers get themselves open against aggressive press coverage? Will the interior of the OL(especially now without Koppen for the forseeable future) protect Brady enough so he can stand in the pocket and make the throws? Will the coaching staff bring a more physical style of play and run the ball more when the weather gets colder?

On defense, obviously they need a ton of work in getting off the field on 3rd down. 10-13 is beyond unacceptable. Also, their LBs are atrocious in the underneath coverage. Rivers was killing them checking down to the backs. Like I said before, they have a ton to work on but the positives are there.

Fair or not, the Pats will be judged on a handful of games no matter the gaudy numbers they put up because of the lack of playoff success since the 2007 AFC title game.

San Diego has actually been a team that Brady has struggled against at time(thinking back to last years game where he wasn't great, as well as the 2007 AFC CG), so today's performance may be a step in the right direction.

[tims4wins]

San Diego has actually been a team that Brady has struggled against at time(thinking back to last years game where he wasn't great, as well as the 2007 AFC CG), so today's performance may be a step in the right direction.

Good point. Despite him leading the Pats to wins over the Chargers in 2010, 2007 (twice), and 2006, his passer rating was only 79.4 in those games.

2010: 19-32 159 1 TD 0 INT
2007 playoff: 22-33 208 2 TD 3 INT
2007 regular season: 25-31 279 3 TD 1 INT
2006 playoff: 27-51 280 2 TD 3 INT

cumulative: 93-147 927 8 TD 7 INT

[bunchabums]

I have to think part of this today was due to game-planning. They were so focused on using an LB/SS combo on Gates on most plays, as well as giving help on Jackson and Floyd, that they were giving Rivers the underneath stuff to the backs all day. Especially with a 13 point lead in the second half, when the hook route was there for the backs on nearly every play. Seemed to me they were intent on taking away Gates/Jackson/Floyd and giving Rivers what he could get underneath.

But they seemed to have a LB spying on the check down back but they were forever two steps late. Usually Fletcher does this job really well. He did a great job on Rice last year. It's fine to let them have the checkdown but not when they are getting 7+ yards a play.

[bigsid05]

Good point. Despite him leading the Pats to wins over the Chargers in 2010, 2007 (twice), and 2006, his passer rating was only 79.4 in those games.

2010: 19-32 159 1 TD 0 INT
2007 playoff: 22-33 208 2 TD 3 INT
2007 regular season: 25-31 279 3 TD 1 INT
2006 playoff: 27-51 280 2 TD 3 INT

cumulative: 93-147 927 8 TD 7 INT

The aberration there is the 2007 regular season win, when no one really knew how to gameplan against the Patriots offense. That might still apply here, but this offense isn't too different than down the stretch last year.

[Ed Hillel]

The aberration there is the 2007 regular season win, when no one really knew how to gameplan against the Patriots offense. That might still apply here, but this offense isn't too different than down the stretch last year.

That was also Spygate week when everyone was pissed off and rallied behind Bill. I think he was practically carried off the field after the win.

It's also the night they announced his contract extension.

[MainerInExile]

I just needed to come in to post about Vince's pick.

Amazing play from a DT. He recognized the play and backed off the rush to get into the throwing lane. Batted it, caught it, ran. Wow.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

Right now, the Pats are 31st in the NFL on defense, allowing 7.4 yards per play. Of course, they're first by a wide margin on offense, gaining 8.4 yards per play. Nice to have a solid positive in turnover ratio.

[jsinger121]

Jackson was open by design as they put two guys on Gates.

[SoxScout]

Right now, the Pats are 31st in the NFL on defense, allowing 7.4 yards per play. Of course, they're first by a wide margin on offense, gaining 8.4 yards per play. Nice to have a solid positive in turnover ratio.

The NFL is still basing games off of points and not fantasy points, I think.

Jackson was open by design as they put two guys on Gates.

I'm pretty sure Jackson smoking McCourty, and beating basically quadruple coverage for a touchdown isn't by design.

Edited by SoxScout, 19 September 2011 - 09:31 AM.

[Shelterdog]

Right now, the Pats are 31st in the NFL on defense, allowing 7.4 yards per play. Of course, they're first by a wide margin on offense, gaining 8.4 yards per play. Nice to have a solid positive in turnover ratio.

They're not 31st in defense, they're 31st in yards per play. Yards per play might be more useful than points allowed or defensive yardage allowed (the two stats people normally use for ranking defense) but your idiosyncratic usage is just confusing.

[Al Zarilla]

I just needed to come in to post about Vince's pick.

Amazing play from a DT. He recognized the play and backed off the rush to get into the throwing lane. Batted it, caught it, ran. Wow.

ESPN quoted him as saying something like 'I figured I better catch it because my teammates would be all over me if I didn't'. He actually ran considerably faster than I would have imagined after he caught it, too. Rodney H. last night said he's a "pretty good athlete".