PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Patriots Pass Defense: Actually Good vs. Third & Fourth WRs

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My favorite football stats site Football Outsiders has some pretty nifty breakdowns of each teams pass defense versus each different receiving option on each team they faced. 

Here’s where the Pats rank on each:

vs. #1 WR: 27th overall

vs. #2 WR: 27th overall

vs. Other WR: 4th overall

vs. TE: 25th overall

vs. RB: 29th overall

Say what you will about slot corner Jonathan Wilhite but these numbers do point somewhat positively toward him. 

Football Outsiders: Patriots 97.3% Chance of Making Playoffs, 48.4% Chance at 1st Seed

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You can check out their methodology here, but it looks like a lock that the Pats and Jets will both be in the playoffs. The Pats also have a 48.4% chance at the number one seed in the AFC, which is of course a monstrous advantage.

In fact there’s a pretty good chance they will finish with the first and second best records in the AFC, however only one team will get a bye. The other will be looking at a 5 seed and a trip to San Diego (as FO projects). Just another reason why this next game is going to be so huge.

The full FO playoff projection is below. If the Patriots beat the Jets next week they will have beaten every single AFC playoff participant. That’s pretty amazing when you think about it.

AFC

  1. Patriots
  2. Steelers
  3. Colts
  4. Chargers
  5. Jets
  6. Ravens

NFC

  1. Falcons
  2. Eagles
  3. Packers
  4. Seahawks
  5. Saints
  6. Giants

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=-wX0Rc7yfPk%3Ffs%3D1%26hl%3Den_US

Vince Wilfork miked up during week three. What can you say about Big Vince that hasn’t already been said. Veteran leader of the defense? Outstanding member of the community? Immovable defensive tackle? I don’t know how many of the young Pats defenders will go on to be true Patriot legends but Vince is one who already is.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/vince-wilfork-miked-up-during-week-three-what-can/

Notes on Taking Care of Business: Patriots Knock Off Lions

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One thing you can say about the 2010 Patriots is that they are consistent. Consistently hard to stop on offense, and consistently easy to pass on on offense. 

It wasn’t surprising that Detroit jumped out to a 14-3 lead. Nor was it surprising that the Pats came back. It’s becoming pretty apparent that if the Patriots are going to make a Super Bowl run this year the defense must continue to get turnovers. Those are hard to depend on, especially in January.

The offense should be able to put up significant points against anyone. This is not the 2007 offense that depends on the spread aerial assault more than anything. This is an offense that can play any kind of game and play it well. It’s amazing what having three diverse tight ends can do for a team. If Tom Brady continues to play at a high level they will be hard to stop.

The scary thing will be if the offense goes cold one game and needs to depend on the defense to hold the opponent. That’s when it will get interesting. But for now the defense is getting interceptions, the offense is moving the ball well and all is right in Patriots Nation.

Some Notes from the game…

Benjarvus Green-Ellis has elevated his game to a place I never thought he could. He’s always run hard but he’s running fools over now.

An early key to the Jets game will be getting Jonathan Wilhite back and allowing Patrick Chung to play more in-the-box safety. Chung’s been stuck at nickel corner the last two games and that’s not his greatest strength.

Devin McCourty for DROY? If he loses it will only be because the Pats defense is it’s weak link.

Kyle Love is really coming on strong and even got some love from Mike Mayock on Playbook last week. The Pats were able to shut down the run with just him and Wilfork on the inside of the line.

Did Jermaine Cunningham see a reduction in playing time yesterday? Didn’t see him much in the 4th quarter but I did see Pierre Woods out there.

Dane Fletcher got some solid time yesterday playing in his dime package. It looks like they’re expanding his role a bit, used him to pass rush, covering the running back and also spying the quarterback a bit.