Thanks to the stats kept over at Pro Football Focus I broke down the pressures and blitz percentages per offensive pass play. The results aren’t overwhelmingly alarming but there is a bit of evidence why the Patriots defense has been better this year than they were last year.
In 2010 the Patriots blitzed on 24% of the opponents drop backs, and got pressure on 29% of the total drop backs, (that includes when they only rushed four).
In 2011 the Patriots have blitzed slightly less (21% of the dropbacks) and have actually gotten more pressure (32%).
What does this mean? That the Patriots have been able to rely more consistently on a four man pass rush and the positive effects have trickled down through the defense, where improvements on third down and in the red zone have been more notable.
