PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Pats Posits: No Rest for the Wicked (Bad Defense)

by

Took some time to reflect upon the Patriots disappointing 33-30 loss to the Panthers and now it’s time to quickly put it to rest. To bury the proverbial football if you will. There’s already another game in three short days, and in this case it’s a really good thing.

I try to avoid overreacting to anything early in the season, at least until we’ve got a sample size to work with. Now, four games in, we have the sample size and yes, the defense has been historically bad. It’s almost unfathomable how many points they’ve given up. They’re dead last or close to it in every defensive stat out there and they deserve to be. There is no silver lining. No “yeah, but”. They’re all out of sync and admitted to as much after the game.

This isn’t a talent issue. This is a fundamental “play the coverage called” issue, so that’s why there actually is some hope for the defense. I’ve seen and blogged extensively about untalented defenses like those in 2010 and 2011. Those were hodge podge crews that survived because they played zone defense that allowed them to prey on turnovers while giving up epic amounts of yardage. This is a defense that can and should vary coverages like they’ve won two of the last three Super Bowls with.

Could the pass rush be better? Always, but when there are just wide open receivers or a screen pass where no one is within a mile of the ball, those are coverage lapses that cannot happen. The first couple weeks of the season? I’ll give you a slight pass. Four-straight games to start the season? Unacceptable. And historically bad.

128 points allowed through four games is the worst in team history. How is that possible? We’ve seen one- and two-win teams, but this, a team coming off a Super Bowl win, a perennial 12-win team, is THAT bad? Mind boggling.

Okay, let’s talk about the offense, who once again almost had a chance for a last-minute victory. It wasn’t perfect for them, but as far as NFL offenses go and what we’ve come to expect, they’re going to be fine.

Schematically I do worry about the pounding Brady is taking as the team goes more vertical, but I think the short passing game will continue to grow as the season goes along. Some pass protection issues, an inconsistent ground game? All things we’ve seen and overcome before. So while we can discuss and dissect plenty of minutiae, as long as he’s upright, Brady’s going to find ways to put up 30 points like he did today.

Can the defense get on the same page and hold opponents under 30? That right now is the question of 2017.

Here are a bunch more quick-hit posits as we all trudge into work on a victory-less Monday.

[Read more…] about Pats Posits: No Rest for the Wicked (Bad Defense)

Patriots’ Warm Butter Defense Can’t Stop Panthers

by

The only feel-good moment from an otherwise maddening loss.

The Patriots fell to 2-2 on the season Sunday, losing to the Carolina Panthers 33-30 on a last-second field goal. The Panthers scored on six of their nine possessions, with a fumble, an interception and a punt the only time the Patriots defense got off the field without surrendering points.

Despite Tom Brady’s best efforts, leading the Pats back to tie the game from 14 points down late in the fourth quarter, the defense was unable to get a final stop, taking two penalties on the final drive that helped set up the wining field goal.

There’s little time to sulk, with a quick turnaround to a Thursday night game in Tampa Bay. Perhaps that’s for the best. But it’s unmistakable that this Patriots team has serious issues on both sides of the ball and they must get them fixed quickly.

Here’s how the grossness went down…

[Read more…] about Patriots’ Warm Butter Defense Can’t Stop Panthers

A Look Back: Patriots – Panthers

by

The Patriots and Panthers have met just six times, but there have been quite a few notable games, none moreso than Super Bowl 38, which remains to this day one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time. When they renew the rivalry again at Gillette tomorrow there won’t be quite as much on the line but somehow their games always seem to be interesting.

In their first matchup in 1995, the Panthers’ first season in the league, the Patriots lost in overtime, en route to a disappointing 6-10 season. John Kasay‘s overtime field goal dropped the Pats to 2-6 as Kerry Collins threw for 306 yards and Derrick Moore (? lol) rushed for 119 yards.

Their second matchup didn’t come until the 2001 season and because of 9/11 was played on January 6th, usually when the playoffs had started. We’re used to the final game of the regular season being meaningless but this one gave the Pats the chance to win the second seed in the AFC. The Patriots pounded the one-win Panthers 38-6 and set the stage for the Tuck Rule game two weeks later in the final game at the old Foxborough Stadium.

[Read more…] about A Look Back: Patriots – Panthers

Patriots Gameplan: Week 4 vs. Carolina Panthers

by

The Patriots close out the first quarter of their season on Sunday as they welcome the 2-1 Carolina Panthers. Yes, this is about the time we start to know exactly who the 2017 Patriots are. The next few games will really show what this team’s strengths and weaknesses are, though everyone already has their opinions despite just a three-game sample size.

The good? A resurgent deep passing attack that leads the league with 20 passing plays of 20 or more yards. The bad? A regressed big play defense that has given up 17 plays of 20 or more yards (14 passing, three rushing), bad enough for third-worst in the league. Of course there are other issues to monitor, but at this point it’s time to find out which of those are just because of the randomness and strengths of the first three opponents and which are real problems.

October is just about here and we should be getting away from the sloppiness that comes with the relaxed contact in training camps and general rust. The Patriots see September as an extension of the preseason, but now, things should start getting real.

Here’s the gameplan to close out the first quarter of the season at 3-1 with a win over a Panthers team that is very much a mirror image of the Patriots — dominant on one side of the ball, dreadful on the other.

[Read more…] about Patriots Gameplan: Week 4 vs. Carolina Panthers

Film Review: Patriots vs. Texans Offense Edition

by

The Patriots offense has certainly gone through a new evolution this season. While we all expected the four-headed running back monster to be a major focal point, it’s really just been the downfield passing game that has taken off thus far.

You continue to see strides in various areas as Brady learns how to best use this newfound speed at wide receiver. It was certainly on display with Brandin Cooks in this one as Brady found him three times deep for game-changing (and -winning) plays.

The progression is obvious, but there are still quite a few areas where the offense has to get better, especially the blocking up front and in the running game. But there’s plenty to be excited about, especially as Brady finds his new chains-movers.

Let’s dive into the offensive film review!

[Read more…] about Film Review: Patriots vs. Texans Offense Edition

Scouting Report: Carolina Panthers

by

The Carolina Panthers are coming off a disappointing loss to their divisional rival New Orleans Saints, dropping to 2-1 on the season after opening wins in San Franciso and against Buffalo. The Patriots and Panthers are mirror images of each other, with the Pats defense and Panthers offense ranking near the bottom of the league while the Pats offense and Panthers defense both rank near the top of the league.

After losing Greg Olsen to a broken foot and then having Kelvin Benjamin injuring his knee, the Panthers’ offense is extremely shorthanded. They’ll lean heavily on rookie Christian McCaffrey, a shifty and dynamic weapon who can do it all. On defense, Luke Kuechly is once again the man in the middle, with some talented pieces in front of him, but a secondary that was picked on by Drew Brees last week.

The Patriots started to find their stride last weekend against the Texans, but their performance was far from consistent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Cam Newton and McCaffrey embody a lot of what has given the Patriots problems and despite their poor start to the season, should be a good test.

Here are five quick hits on the Panthers.

  1. McCaffrey Makes It Go: McCaffrey is the Panthers most targeted receiver with 23, grabbing 18 receptions while also carrying the ball 25 times through the first three games. He’s the proverbial straw stirring the drink, and without Benjamin he should be a big point of focus this week. How the Pats deal with him — Patrick Chung might be a good bet with limited threats at the tight end spot now as well.
  2. Keep Newton Contained: This will be another one of those games where it’s imperative not to over rush the quarterback and allow him to squeak out and pick up yards. The Patriots defense struggled to finish plays against Deshaun Watson last week, they must close in on Newton and finish him off.
  3. Find the Short Game: The Patriots have gone vertical on offense this year and the offense has stagnated at times like the three-straight punts they had in both the first and second halves last week. Part of this is needing to find the short passing game, especially with the running backs. The Panthers have similar pieces to the Texans and the Pats’ goal should be to find some consistency because you can expect the Panthers to force Brady to take underneath stuff.
  4. Protection Progression: While the offensive line came through in the clutch last week, they sure had their struggles against JJ Watt, JaDaveon Clowney and the rest of the Texan front. That’s not an uncommon problem, but the Panthers cause similar problems and the offensive line must be ready to play more consistently. We’re four games in now, the excuses for rust and miscommunication are running out.
  5. Defense Same Page: The Panthers don’t have a ton of healthy threats, but that’s no reason for the Pats defense to relax. What must be stressed is communication and making sure everyone is playing within themselves and doing their job. There are a number of new pieces on the Patriot defense playing significant roles, but like the offensive line, the excuses are running out. It’s time to all get on then same page and play the Patriot defense like it’s meant to be played — BEND DON’T BREAK.