Where are the turnovers!?
I originally wanted to call this “My takeaways on taking away the Patriots’ takeaways” but I felt that maybe it was a little too much.
Ever since the Super Bowl defenses of old, the Patriots defense has lived by one montra: Bend don’t break.
We have seen this defense year in and year out give up excessive amounts of yardage but tighten up once the opponent reached the red zone, allowing field goals but not touchdowns. At the beginning of this year, it looked like the defense might have returned to the defense of the Super Bowl teams, one that was dominant and actually was a top 10 D. But with all the injuries, it is quickly becoming apparent that the defense has returned to the bend don’t break mentality.
This defense however has been missing a key ingredient: turnovers. While those past defenses gave up a lot of yards, they also managed to take the ball away often and in clutch situations. How many times have we seen the opponent driving late and then the quarterback throws a pick in the red zone. The answer should be a lot.
But this hasn’t happened this season. Since the game against the Panthers in week 11, the Patriots D has only caused three turnovers (2 against the Broncos and 1 against the Texans). It was last nights game that really got me noticing this drought. On that final Miami drive, I thought for sure the Patriots would come away with a big interception or a force fumble, because thats just what this Patriots defense does. But it didn’t happen. And we didn’t win.
Granted, in these past games, the Pats D has never really been in a situation where they can be aggressive. Normally corners and safeties will play the ball much more aggressive when they have the lead because giving up the big play isn’t a back breaker. These last few games however, the defense has been in prevent mode, since they have been fighting for the lead. Hopefully once the offense can start starting hot, then the defense can get more aggressive and can look to start causing more turnovers again.
It’s going to be something that the defense is going to need to get better at going into the playoffs. While I would prefer the defense to be able to just shut down the opponent, I’m ok with the bend don’t break, if they can figure out how to get out of this slump.
Time to be aggressive boys.
-Pete Rogers
@ftcsports
@petahrahgas
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| Photo via forgottengent.com |
We have seen this defense year in and year out give up excessive amounts of yardage but tighten up once the opponent reached the red zone, allowing field goals but not touchdowns. At the beginning of this year, it looked like the defense might have returned to the defense of the Super Bowl teams, one that was dominant and actually was a top 10 D. But with all the injuries, it is quickly becoming apparent that the defense has returned to the bend don’t break mentality.
This defense however has been missing a key ingredient: turnovers. While those past defenses gave up a lot of yards, they also managed to take the ball away often and in clutch situations. How many times have we seen the opponent driving late and then the quarterback throws a pick in the red zone. The answer should be a lot.
But this hasn’t happened this season. Since the game against the Panthers in week 11, the Patriots D has only caused three turnovers (2 against the Broncos and 1 against the Texans). It was last nights game that really got me noticing this drought. On that final Miami drive, I thought for sure the Patriots would come away with a big interception or a force fumble, because thats just what this Patriots defense does. But it didn’t happen. And we didn’t win.
Granted, in these past games, the Pats D has never really been in a situation where they can be aggressive. Normally corners and safeties will play the ball much more aggressive when they have the lead because giving up the big play isn’t a back breaker. These last few games however, the defense has been in prevent mode, since they have been fighting for the lead. Hopefully once the offense can start starting hot, then the defense can get more aggressive and can look to start causing more turnovers again.
It’s going to be something that the defense is going to need to get better at going into the playoffs. While I would prefer the defense to be able to just shut down the opponent, I’m ok with the bend don’t break, if they can figure out how to get out of this slump.
Time to be aggressive boys.
-Pete Rogers
@ftcsports
@petahrahgas
