Before this season started I did this little sack analysis which came to the conclusion that the goal to hit for season sacks is 40. In the five best seasons of the 2000’s (‘01, ’03, ’04, ’06, ’07) the Pats broke that plateau every time, but lately they’ve been in the low 30s.
Now I know this doesn’t include numbers like QB hits and pressures, so take it for what it is worth. I also don’t necessarily believe that higher sack numbers mean a better defense.
For example the 2007 team had six more sacks than the 2003 team and I think we can all agree the 2003 team was probably the best defense of the decade.
Regardless the Patriots now stand at 28 sacks with two games to play, good for eighteenth in the NFL. It’s likely they will surpass their totals from the past two seasons (31, 31), so at least early on it appears the pass rush did improve somewhat this year.
When you take into account they’ve been without their two best interior rushers for the hardest stretch it’s even a little more impressive.
But it remains clear this team still lacks a feared pass rusher. TBC and his big head don’t need to be game-planned around.
Right now the Patriots are a team of specialization, but lack a three down linebacker other than Jerod Mayo. The current pass rush specialist is Eric Moore, after stints of seeing Jermaine Cunningham and Shawn Crable in that role, and he’s looked harder to block than either of his predecessors. Perhaps the Pats could be onto something with him like the Dolphins got with Cameron Wake.
If you’d like to see an in-depth analysis of the sacks from the Packers game check out this great article by Richard Hill.
