PatsPropaganda

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Patriots close out 2010 with solid 3rd down defense improvement

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As you’re probably aware I’ve been harping on third down being the key for success this season. That’s because the Patriots defense has demonstrated that they’re good tacklers and don’t give up a lot of big plays. Most of the time they’re winning on first and second down, so it’s just a matter of winning third down, getting off the field and letting the offense do what it does best.

While the Patriots will finish as last in the NFL by allowing a first down on 47.1% on the third downs they’ve faced, things have been remarkably better in the last five games of the season:

  • Jets 3/12 = 25%
  • Bears 3/8 = 37%
  • Packers 11/19 = 57%
  • Bills  3/10 = 30%
  • Dolphins  4/13 = 30%

So for the last five games, nearly a third of the season the Pats have been performing at a 38.7% clip on 3rd down. This would rank in the top half of the NFL.

These numbers having me believe that coupled with all the turnovers they get this is absolutely a defense that is capable of winning a Super Bowl.

More Edelman!

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Since there are so many Edelman fans out there in cyberspace, here’s his second best play from the Dolphins game.

It’s nice to see good things out of JuJu and Taylor Price, we sure could’ve used wide receiver depth like this in 2009. It will be hard for them to get on the field with Branch and Welker in the mix, but it’s good to know they’re there if needed.

Hopefully Edelman will be able to make an impact in the punt return game in the playoffs.

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14-2 and streaking in to the playoffs!

The Pats couldn’t have looked much better today, granted the Dolphins never even got off the bus. But this is just the way you want to end the regular season and head into the playoffs playing your best.

Updated list of probable first round opponent:

Winner of Ravens at Chiefs, unless the Jets upset the Colts.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/14-2-and-streaking-in-to-the-playoffs-the-pats/

The statistical personality of the Patriots passing offense

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Take a look at some Patriots passing offense NFL ranks:

  • 5th (T) in sacks allowed.
  • 1st in passer rating. (108.4)
  • 19th (T) in plays of 40 plus yards.
  • 9th (T) in plays of 20 plus yards.
  • 12th in passing yards per game.
  • 12th in total yards.
  • 11th in percentage passing yards after catch.

When I look at these stats you know what phrase comes to mind?

Surgical procedure.

The 2010 Patriots protect their quarterback, he makes the right reads and throws, and they beat opponents by a death of one thousand cuts.

It has been a brutally efficient offense. They don’t rely on the deep ball and they don’t need to. Remember all those who thought the Patriots minus Randy Moss could no longer stretch the field, and Wes Welker would suck, and so on?

Yeah, if anything it made them better.

Though they have more of a horizontal attack they are not overly reliant on screen passes. The label “dink and dunk” is definitely not applicable here.

While this offense can move the ball by any means necessary, their bread and butter is the intermediate passing game. The deep outs (hardest throw for an NFL QB), deep come backs and posts run by a dynamic set of offensive pieces.

The only thing that really holds this offense back is the defense’s inability to get off the field on third down. The Pats are 23rd in time of possession.

Pryor back, Brace headed to IR for Patriots?

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News came via Ian Rapoport today that pass rush specialist Myron Pryor is set to return tomorrow while it looks like Ron Brace is done for the playoffs with an elbow injury.

Losing Brace does hurt the Pats as depth along the line was already thin, so basically they’re becoming a little stronger in pass rush and a little weaker in run stopping.

If the Patriots face the Ravens in the divisional round they probably could use Brace, since the 3-4 defense will surely be used a lot to stop Ray Rice. Although in the first meeting between the two teams the Patriots went with a Deaderick – Warren – Wilfork front. But we haven’t seen much of Deaderick lately.

The good news is that the return of a healthy and rested Brandon Spikes should be a boost to the 3-4 base.

As for Brace it was an up and down season for him, beginning when he couldn’t pass his physical and stayed on PUP for much of training camp. He showed some signs of life at times, namely the fourth down goal line stop against Adrian Peterson, however the games he played most in were the only two losses this season (@ Jets 67%, @ Browns 71%). 

With the return of Ty Warren, Brace will likely be in a stiff competition with Deaderick in 2011. For now he can worry about getting his elbow healthy.

Did you know Myron Pryor had a 71-yard fumble return for a TD in college?