I have a lot to say about how clutch the defense was this year for the Patriots, but the offense….my goodness. They faced the #6, #19, and #1 defenses in the league during their three-game playoff run. Those teams gave up, on average, 18.9, 23.0, and 15.9 points, and 337, 343, and 267 yards, respectively.
Against those three opponents, the Patriots' offense put up:
35 points, 422 yards vs Bal
45 points, 397 yards vs Ind
28 points, 377 yards vs Sea
So against Baltimore, they scored 16.1 more points and gained 85 more yards than Baltimore gave up on average. Against Indy they scored 22 more points and gained 54 more yards than the Colts gave up on average. And against Seattle they scored 12.1 more points and gained 110 more yards than the Seahawks gave up on average.
And they did this without any special teams or defensive touchdowns. This was all offense. Brady threw for 921 yards and 10 touchdowns over this span.
Just…..incredible.
Compared to their previous 5 Super Bowl runs, here's how this year stacked up.
2001: 20.0 pts, 297.0 yds
2003: 24.3 pts, 375.7 yds
2004: 28.3 pts, 326.0 yds
2007: 22.0 pts, 341.3 yds
2011: 28.3 pts, 396.0 yds
2014: 36.0 pts, 398.7 yds
Phenomenal postseason performance by the offense. Against some very nasty defenses.
Against those three opponents, the Patriots' offense put up:
35 points, 422 yards vs Bal
45 points, 397 yards vs Ind
28 points, 377 yards vs Sea
So against Baltimore, they scored 16.1 more points and gained 85 more yards than Baltimore gave up on average. Against Indy they scored 22 more points and gained 54 more yards than the Colts gave up on average. And against Seattle they scored 12.1 more points and gained 110 more yards than the Seahawks gave up on average.
And they did this without any special teams or defensive touchdowns. This was all offense. Brady threw for 921 yards and 10 touchdowns over this span.
Just…..incredible.
Compared to their previous 5 Super Bowl runs, here's how this year stacked up.
2001: 20.0 pts, 297.0 yds
2003: 24.3 pts, 375.7 yds
2004: 28.3 pts, 326.0 yds
2007: 22.0 pts, 341.3 yds
2011: 28.3 pts, 396.0 yds
2014: 36.0 pts, 398.7 yds
Phenomenal postseason performance by the offense. Against some very nasty defenses.