As someone who has watched Bill Belichick re-build (or should say “try” to re-build) his defense after the dynasty years as closely as anyone I’m just about out of excuses and positive perspectives. Is there anyone left who thinks the Patriots have the ability to stop the pass against an elite offense that knows how to attack it? I sure don’t, especially if that team avoids turnovers.
The offense was out of sync yesterday but I don’t see major philosophical, schematic or personnel problems on that side of the ball like I do with the defense. If the D makes a couple stops on third down in the first quarter the Pats offense very well would’ve found their rhythm.This game should’ve been a defensive struggle if our defense had showed up.
So Brady and the O will get a pass at least for this morning, despite all the talk of TFB shredding the Steelers defense in the last three meetings they are an elite defense, and to get 17 points on limited possessions is still enough points to win you games if you have a defense. They just needed more chances, chances the defense did not give them.
For this Patriots defense it’s seems that just when they take a step forward they take a big step back. They continue to play like a young secondary that is out of sync and captain Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and a limited Jerod Mayo seem incapable of getting everyone on the same page.
Many are pointing to the lack of talent in the players surrounding the few high picks that are actually out there as the problem and that is a valid argument. BB has been getting a free pass starting undraftees and castoffs under the assumption that with experience their level of play would rise, but with yet another 60%-plus third downs converted game even the biggest homers like myself are questioning if it’s ever going to happen with this group.
But it’s not just about talent, it’s about fundamentals.
It’s about Heath Miller getting off the line unscathed for almost every snap in the first quarter. It’s about the defensive backs all looking around in confusion when there are wide open receivers on 3rd and long. And finally it’s about continuing to miss tackles, a problem I’m unsure can be fixed given the limited number of padded practices allowed.
It’s hard to really attack the schematics of the Patriots defense when they’re playing such poor fundamental football. When they did blitz they didn’t get there quick enough and when they dropped eight into coverage the Steelers still found the soft spots.
The scary thing is that there’s no one who can get healthy and help unless you want to make Josh Barrett the savior, which he is not. So the Patriots are stuck with this group and it’s up to them to turn it around.
It’s not easy coming up with a positive outlook on this defense, and I don’t feel the need to try too hard to come up with one. They look untalented and confused out there and the same problems continue to pop up for what feels like the third season in a row. Something has to change, and none of us are sure that “just playing better” is ever going to make this a consistently strong defense.
However the fact is that they did only lose by eight points to a very good team on the road, playing pretty much as bad as you can play. The one time they did actually play capably was in the red zone, and let’s not forget to point out that they did not give up a touchdown in the second half.
Also take note that every team in the AFC has looked horrid in at least one game this year, with perhaps the Bills as the only arguable exception (which is kinda insane).
The Patriots defense is capable of playing better and they will win their fair share of games this year, but defeating one of the top offenses looks pretty much impossible at this point. Luckily it’s only week seven, but it will take a minor miracle for this team to win a Super Bowl if these problems continue.
