2019 Pats Defense: What Are We Witnessing?

Seels

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34 points allowed in 5 games.

They're at the point where it's probably 50/50 odds they allow under 200 on the season, especially. That's insane.
 

Reverend

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34 points allowed in 5 games.

They're at the point where it's probably 50/50 odds they allow under 200 on the season, especially. That's insane.
The offense and special teams gave up like 40% of those points.
 

DeadlySplitter

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they've yet to play any good offense, and there will be 4-6 games of those. let's cool the jets a little.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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they've yet to play any good offense, and there will be 4-6 games of those. let's cool the jets a little.
I hear what you are seeing... but how many times in the past have we seen a pretty good Pats defense look bad against middling offenses?

They can only play the teams that are on their schedule, and they are making hay where they should.
 

IdiotKicker

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To a certain extent, it doesn’t really matter who they’ve played. The NFL is built to allow points to spontaneously appear in today’s game. So to hold any team to zero or one touchdown is really impressive. Because with how many bad teams there are, there aren’t any other defenses doing what New England is doing. Do I think NE will hold KC to 7 points? Hell no. But the “quality of competition” argument only goes so far in a league that makes it so easy to score.
 

Reverend

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I hear what you are seeing... but how many times in the past have we seen a pretty good Pats defense look bad against middling offenses?

They can only play the teams that are on their schedule, and they are making hay where they should.
There’s also simply a lower bound on how few points they can allow.
 

E5 Yaz

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This is going to stick:


dougkyed: Dont'a Hightower called the Patriots linebacker corps the boogeymen.
 

IdiotKicker

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By the way, Hightower today looked like he was moving like a player 5 years younger. He has a burst and quickness that we haven't seen from him in awhile. And it's awesome. He, Collins, and Van Noy are so versatile, and they can create all kinds of matchup problems for opposing offenses.
 

DeadlySplitter

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oh yeah, I agree it's great we can rely on the defense to hold even an average team to under 20 points. makes it much easier to win while the offense goes through the injury bug.

but less than 200 points at season end? I'd be surprised.
 

DJnVa

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they've yet to play any good offense, and there will be 4-6 games of those. let's cool the jets a little.
Thanks for making sure all us Patriots fans were aware of who we played.

I think everyone here understands the schedule. We don't need a weekly disclaimer.
 

Jnai

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By the way, Hightower today looked like he was moving like a player 5 years younger. He has a burst and quickness that we haven't seen from him in awhile. And it's awesome. He, Collins, and Van Noy are so versatile, and they can create all kinds of matchup problems for opposing offenses.
Five years ago this entire board was convinced he was too slow.
 

tims4wins

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oh yeah, I agree it's great we can rely on the defense to hold even an average team to under 20 points. makes it much easier to win while the offense goes through the injury bug.

but less than 200 points at season end? I'd be surprised.
15 ppg the rest of the way and they get under 200.
 

Ralphwiggum

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The transformation of this defense into a big play defense is stunning. After years of bend not break to see them piling up negative plays and forcing turnovers is so much fun to watch. Also the fumble they recovered today was the first one they’ve recovered even though they have forced a bunch (including two others today).
 

tims4wins

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The transformation of this defense into a big play defense is stunning. After years of bend not break to see them piling up negative plays and forcing turnovers is so much fun to watch. Also the fumble they recovered today was the first one they’ve recovered even though they have forced a bunch (including two others today).
BB called it this week - I forget if it was on the plays of the week or one of his press conferences but he said they didn’t have any fumble recoveries yet and he hoped it would change this week.
 

Super Nomario

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It is pretty funny looking at the nflgsis playbook every week; one of the things it lists are the "ten longest plays" by each team. All of the Pats top 10 were at least 15 yards this week. Washington had the long endaround run, three decent completions to McLaurin (22, 17, and 12 yards), and nothing else over 12 yards. Among their ten longest gains this week were an 11-yard completion on 3rd-and-15, an eight-yard completion on 2nd-and-21, and an eight-yard run on 3rd-and-19 in the fourth quarter. These were their longest gains all day.
 

InstaFace

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Ranking the opponent quality remaining on the Pats' schedule:

1) vs KC (disirregardless of last night)
2) vs BUF (caveat: week 16)
3) vs DAL
4) @ PHI
5) @ HOU
6) vs CLE

We'll know more in two weeks after Dallas hosts the Eagles, but they're a very good team.
 

lexrageorge

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Do people still see the Cowboys as a huge test for this D?
Cowboys put up nearly 600 yards in total offense. Dallas was victimized by some stupid penalties and bad turnovers. Garrett's slamming the bean bag down to move the Cowboys back 15 yards and set up a 1st-and-25 was idiotic, and would be a fireable offense in the playoffs.
 

8slim

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Ranking the opponent quality remaining on the Pats' schedule:

1) vs KC (disirregardless of last night)
2) vs BUF (caveat: week 16)
3) vs DAL
4) @ PHI
5) @ HOU
6) vs CLE

We'll know more in two weeks after Dallas hosts the Eagles, but they're a very good team.
Since this is a thread about the Pats defense, Buffalo's offensive quality belongs at the bottom of that list. If not lower.

We know the Bills could eek out a low scoring win, but that likely won't be the fault of this D.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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Cowboys put up nearly 600 yards in total offense. Dallas was victimized by some stupid penalties and bad turnovers. Garrett's slamming the bean bag down to move the Cowboys back 15 yards and set up a 1st-and-25 was idiotic, and would be a fireable offense in the playoffs.
I am not trying to be antagonistic or goading.. but do you think that stupid penalties and turnovers wouldn't happen against the Patriots? Or do you feel that the all of the takeaways and holding calls drawn are a result of playing bad teams?
 
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tims4wins

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Yes - led to 135 yards on 22 carries by the Bills. Not good. Also picking nits but the 2003 D was better than 2004. I think this D has a chance to end up better than 2003.

Tracking the D vs. the 2000 Ravens:

Ravens:
Game 1 (@ Steelers, finished 9-7): 0 points, 193 yards passing, 30 yards rushing, 223 total yards
Game 2 (vs. Jacksonville, finished 7-9): 36 points, 375 yards passing, 46 yards rushing, 421 total yards
Game 3 (@ Miami, finished 11-5): 19 points, 152 yards passing, 106 yards rushing, 258 total yards
Game 4 (vs Cincinnati, finished 4-12): 0 points, 90 yards passing, 4 yards rushing, 94 total yards
Totals: 55 points, 810 yards passing, 186 yards rushing, 996 total yards

Pats:
Game 1 (vs Steelers, currently 0-3): 3 points, 276 yards passing, 32 yards rushing, 308 total yards
Game 2 (@ Miami, currently 0-3): 0 points, 142 yards passing, 42 yards rushing, 184 total yards
Game 3 (vs Jets, currently 0-3): 14 points, 69 yards passing, 36 yards rushing, 105 total yards
Game 4 (at Bills, currently 3-1): 10 points, 240 yards passing, 135 yards rushing, 375 total yards
Total: 27 points, 727 yards passing, 245 yards rushing, 972 total yards
Update
Ravens:
Game 1 (@ Steelers, finished 9-7): 0 points, 193 yards passing, 30 yards rushing, 223 total yards
Game 2 (vs. Jacksonville, finished 7-9): 36 points, 375 yards passing, 46 yards rushing, 421 total yards
Game 3 (@ Miami, finished 11-5): 19 points, 152 yards passing, 106 yards rushing, 258 total yards
Game 4 (vs Cincinnati, finished 4-12): 0 points, 90 yards passing, 4 yards rushing, 94 total yards
Game 5 (@ Cleveland, finished 3-13): 0 points, 207 yards passing, 23 yards rushing, 230 total yards
Totals: 55 points, 1,017 yards passing, 186 yards rushing, 1,226 total yards, total opponents' record of 34-46, .425%)

Pats:
Game 1 (vs Steelers, currently 1-4): 3 points, 276 yards passing, 32 yards rushing, 308 total yards
Game 2 (@ Miami, currently 0-4): 0 points, 142 yards passing, 42 yards rushing, 184 total yards
Game 3 (vs Jets, currently 0-4): 14 points, 69 yards passing, 36 yards rushing, 105 total yards
Game 4 (at Bills, currently 4-1): 10 points, 240 yards passing, 135 yards rushing, 375 total yards
Game 5: (at Washington, currently 0-5): 7 points, 75 yards passing, 145 yards rushing, 220 total yards
Total: 34 points, 802 yards passing, 390 yards rushing, 1,192 total yards, total opponents' record of 5-18, .217%)
 

BaseballJones

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Pats' D so far...

- 34 total points allowed, just 20 by the defense (6.8 per game, or 4.0 per game by the defense)
- 1192 total yards allowed (238.4 per game)
- 12 turnovers caused (2.4 per game)
- 66 total first downs allowed (13.2 per game)

Five bad offenses, yes. Still....that's TOTAL domination.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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Was Pittsburgh really that bad of an offense? Seems like a big part of that is the smothering Pat's D and then the injury to Roethlisberger in the second game. They've otherwise scored 26, 20, 27 and 23 points with their backups.

Miami, Buffalo, NYJ and Washington were all bottom 5 through 4 games in DVOA. Pitt was 20th primarily with non Roethlisberger at QB.
 

AB in DC

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15 ppg the rest of the way and they get under 200.
Let's just supposed they give up:

30 pts: vs KCC, @ BAL
20 pts: vs. CLE, @ PHI, vs DAL, @ HOU
7 pts: v NYG, @ NYJ, @ CIN, vs BUF, vs MIA

That puts them just a smidge over 200. And that's totally doable.
 

InstaFace

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Since this is a thread about the Pats defense, Buffalo's offensive quality belongs at the bottom of that list. If not lower.

We know the Bills could eek out a low scoring win, but that likely won't be the fault of this D.
Very well then, my personal ranking of the offenses we will face:

1) KC, week 14 (scoring 29.6 / game, Off DVOA +34.6% ranked #1)
2) DAL, week 12 (scoring 26.2 / g, O-DVOA 32.7%, #2)
3) BAL, week 9 (scoring 32.2 / g, O-DVOA 25.3%, #3)
4) PHI, week 11 (scoring 28.2 / g, O-DVOA 16.9%, #4)
5) HOU, week 13 (scoring 26.2 / g, O-DVOA -6.5%, #22, but was #9 last week, still volatile)

That's right, we play the top-4 offenses by DVOA this year. Also, all 3 of the other AFC East teams have their offense ranked in the bottom 5 by O-DVOA, in which I'm sure having played the Patriots' D is a major factor. The other two teams we play are CLE and NYG, both of which are pretty mediocre in their offense.
 

tims4wins

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According to Matthew Berry, the Pats have allowed 2 completions this season inside the red zone.

Edit: I just went through the game logs and confirmed. Here is the total stat line:
Bills: 2-4, 9 yards, 1 INT
Jets: 0-0
Miami: 0-1, 1 INT
Steelers: 0-2
Total: 2-7, 9 yards, 2 INT, passer rating of 0.0
Bump, the Redskins didn't run a play in the red zone. That makes 2 of 5 games where the Pats haven't allowed a single play inside the red zone.

Edit: total plays inside the red zone by game:
Washington: 0
Buffalo: 10
NYJ: 0
Miami: 1
Pittsburgh: 6

17 total plays inside the red zone.

Double edit: officially it is 15 as the Steelers only ran 5 plays, and the Bills only ran 9.

Total breakdown:

2-6 passing, 9 yards, 1 INT, 2.8 rating, 1 sack, 0 yards lost
8 carries for 19 yards, 1 TD, 2.38 YPC
Total: 15 plays, 28 yards (1.87 YPP), 1 TD, 1 INT
 
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BaseballJones

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So the Pats have allowed four touchdowns this season:

- A fumbled punt by rookie Gunner O. fallen on in the end zone for a TD.
- A pick-six thrown by rookie Stidham late in the 4th quarter of a blowout.
- A 1-yard rushing TD on fourth down where the ball cleared the goal line by two inches before being knocked loose for a fumble.
- A 65 yard end around where a guy should have been tackled by 2 Patriots after a modest gain and the rest of the Pats' defenders stood there watching, expecting the tackle to be made.

Three of the four touchdowns are totally weird aberration kind of things. And the fourth one was as close to NOT being a touchdown as it can be with it still being a touchdown.
 

brandonchristensen

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The Pats have a 121 point differential. No one else is over 50.

The Pats have given up 34 points in FIVE games, the next lowest is the 49ers who have given up 54...IN THREE GAMES.
 

tims4wins

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More fun with numbers.

The Pats have only allowed 81 plays on their side of the field in 5 games (16.2 per game):

QBs are 15-54 (27.8% - not a misprint!) for 175 yards, 6 picks, and 8 sacks for -44 yards. Passer rating of 1.0. ONE POINT ZERO
RBs have 19 carries for 43 yards (2.26 YPC) and 1 TD
Total: 81 plays for 174 yards, 2.15 YPP (!!!)

Nearly as many sacks + picks (14) as completions (15)

Dear god
 

BigSoxFan

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More fun with numbers.

The Pats have only allowed 81 plays on their side of the field in 5 games (16.2 per game):

QBs are 15-54 (27.8% - not a misprint!) for 175 yards, 6 picks, and 8 sacks for -44 yards
RBs have 19 carries for 43 yards (2.26 YPC) and 1 TD
Total: 81 plays for 174 yards, 2.15 YPP (!!!)

Nearly as many sacks + picks (14) as completions (15)

Dear god
As someone who was in the building for SB52 watching this defense getting shred to pieces by a backup QB, I am simply amazed by the progress over the past 20 months. I mean, I shouldn't be...but I am. We've now reached the point where I view a 15-20 yard completion on them similar to an XBH against 1999-2000 Pedro. At some point this will normalize but I am completely enjoying this run. Teams are having to work so incredibly hard for every yard they gain.
 

BaseballJones

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Chase Winovich is on pace for nearly 13 sacks and almost nobody is talking about him because our energies are spent lauding the efforts of Hightower, Van Noy, Collins, Gilmore, DMac, JMac, and everyone else. But this kid is crushing it out there.

Meanwhile, speaking of people we're talking about...Collins is on pace for: 10 int (haha), 13 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 14 sacks, and 86 tackles (64 solo). Good lord.
 

loshjott

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Bump, the Redskins didn't run a play in the red zone. That makes 2 of 5 games where the Pats haven't allowed a single play inside the red zone.

Edit: total plays inside the red zone by game:
Washington: 0
Buffalo: 10
NYJ: 0
Miami: 1
Pittsburgh: 6

17 total plays inside the red zone.

Double edit: officially it is 15 as the Steelers only ran 5 plays, and the Bills only ran 9.

Total breakdown:

2-6 passing, 9 yards, 1 INT, 2.8 rating, 1 sack, 0 yards lost
8 carries for 19 yards, 1 TD, 2.38 YPC
Total: 15 plays, 28 yards (1.87 YPP), 1 TD, 1 INT
Three of six when you go back to the Super Bowl last season.
 

Cotillion

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Still my favorite lol moment so far was at some point in the game (I forget when but feel like second half). One of the DE's or LB in a 3 pt stance on the right tackle ran so quickly past the o-line and had a free shot at the QB, but it was so free his mind started spinning as why am I this open that he trips as he tries to find a screen or some other misdirection before righting himself and going after the QB.

The amazing aspect is how often this D is just swarming on any mis-direction, screen, or other trickery. They seem to have such a feel for the O is calling that they are blowing up a lot of these plays deep in the backfield.
 

esfr

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those indy DVOA rankings are tough to reconcile with last nights performance
 

tims4wins

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Of the 81 plays run in Pats territory, 51 have gone for 0 yards or less, and 60 have gone for 2 yards or less.
 

Eddie Jurak

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So the Pats have allowed four touchdowns this season:

- A fumbled punt by rookie Gunner O. fallen on in the end zone for a TD.
- A pick-six thrown by rookie Stidham late in the 4th quarter of a blowout.
- A 1-yard rushing TD on fourth down where the ball cleared the goal line by two inches before being knocked loose for a fumble.
- A 65 yard end around where a guy should have been tackled by 2 Patriots after a modest gain and the rest of the Pats' defenders stood there watching, expecting the tackle to be made.

Three of the four touchdowns are totally weird aberration kind of things. And the fourth one was as close to NOT being a touchdown as it can be with it still being a touchdown.
The Patriots have a +121 point differential. The Giants have scored 97 points.
The Patriots defense has a point differential of -6. Tthrough 5 games they have allowed 2 TDs and 2 FGs while also having scored 2 Tis.