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Patriots Defense 8th in Bendability, Low 20s in Everything Else

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The favorite quote mentioned by Patriots fans when people bag on our defense is that it’s a “bend don’t break” style. So yeah, we give up a lot of yards and first downs (i.e. the bend part which feels like we’re getting bent over and violated) before buttoning up when it counts most and holding teams to field goals or no points.

Cold Hard Football Facts has the Pats at 8th overall in Bendability which is just about the only stat I can find out there that gives any sort of a warm, fuzzy feeling about the defense. Even when you look at red zone defense, which should probably also be pretty good if you’re not “breaking”, the Pats are ranked 24th.

Everywhere else you look at stats for the Pats D and they’re not good. The closest thing I can find where they aren’t in the 20s is Defensive Passer Rating where they’re ranked 19th.

In their all-important Defensive Hog index, which CHFF says is the best stat to predict Super Bowl success, the Pats are ranked 27th.

So yes, I know stats are for losers, and the numbers have been getting better over the past few weeks, but let’s not start planning the Super Bowl parade just yet.

Guess Who Wasn’t at Patriots Practice Today?

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Injuries are really starting to add up for the Patriots. McCourty and Brace were new additions to the hopefully still walking wounded, while Mike Wright and Myron Pryor remained out. Jonathan Wilhite if you hadn’t heard was also put on IR today, ending his season.

Not good, we need all these guys back and soon.

OH and Gerard Warren was missing too. He hurt his knee against the Bears but did return so maybe they’re just resting him. Hopefully. Otherwise your healthy defensive lineman are Wilfork (all-pro), Deaderick (7th round rookie), Love (undrafted rookie), and the FNG Louis Leonard. Eeeeeek!

NFL Playbook on the Patriots

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Check out the video here. Mike Mayock breaks down the Pats and all is right with the world. I have to say that I agree with Mayock’s comments that “everybody’s getting a little carried away with the Patriots right now”.

I’m not going to complain about it. I love hearing everyone fawn over my team every time I turn on the TV. But really one loss can change that to the opposite end of the spectrum so I’m trying not to buy into the hype one way or another. 

According to Football Outsiders the Pats have a 96.8% chance of having a bye in the playoffs. Obviously for a team with a lot of young guys who may or may not be hitting the rookie wall, as well as a couple veterans who are banged up, having an extra week of would be huge. 

That is what matter most, continuing to improve, getting guys healthy and playing your best football about four to five weeks from right now. 

The Pats are close, but as Mayock said in the Playbook segment, if they start turning the ball over or not forcing other teams to turn the ball over they won’t make it very far in the playoffs. That’s reality.

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Patriots Football Outsiders DVOA Chart Updated

Both the defensive and offense continue to improve, this is exactly how you want to be trending as you head toward the playoffs. However Special Teams haven’t been anything special as of late, it would be a huge boost to see one of the returners bust one for six (that isn’t called back). Had Edelman’s punt return stood it would’ve been exactly what we’re talking about. 

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-football-outsiders-dvoa-chart-updated/