Patriots Rush D for Real? (1 Viewer)

[netmau5]

Brady has been covering up for defensive deficiencies on the Patriots for several years now, but the organization went to the felt in this years draft to change that. I'm pretty surprised how fast they've turned it around. I think some part of it is that the coaching staff has finally decided to let the defensive players get some rest (by running, slower up-tempo). This reminds me of the Steelers several years ago who fielded an incredible defense which constantly put up horrid numbers because the offense simply could not stay on the field.

The season is young and I don't like making exceptions, but Ray Rice is a good one to consider. Outside of Rice's 100-yarder, they've been stout to the point of making me reconsider RB2 matchups against them. If I had Tashard Choice this week, I'd definitely not start him. But if Fred Jackson comes back, what would you do? I'm leaning towards a no even though I have a higher-than-most opinion of his game. Regardless, he is not Ray Rice. I'm pretty happy with where Dodds projected him this week although I think he's going to get the same yardage on a few more carries.

 

[TheFootballJesus]

Fred Jackson historically has performed pretty well against the Patriots. Generally the Patriots always have tough games when they travel to Buffalo. I'd feel pretty good about starting Jackson.

 

[Pots]

I'm not worried about the Patriots rush D when you have talent like Jackson going against them. You take away rice but forget to mention that the Cardinals and Titans faced them weeks 1 and 2, two poor rushing teams. Taking a 3-week sample size and eliminating the only good running team to leave 2 poor running teams and trying to make a conclustion is poor statistics practice.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Buffalo has the best running game in the NFL right now, not just due to Spiller and Jackson, but in large part because of their dominant O-line. Comparing them to the running game of the Titans and Cardinals is probably a bad idea.

If Jackson is good to go, he'll put up good numbers (assuming his knee doesn't act up). If it's the Tashard Choice show, he'll be a fine #2.

The only danger for Choice if he'll be the #1 will be if Buffalo gets down big early. He won't play as big of a role in the passing game as Jackson and Spiller so being down big early would kill his value.

 

[[icon]]

Fred Jackson historically has performed pretty well against the Patriots. Generally the Patriots always have tough games when they travel to Buffalo. I'd feel pretty good about starting Jackson.

On what planet does historical data matter when they've completely revamped the defensive run blocking?! ... Which is sorta the entire point of the thread

 

[Pots]

Fred Jackson historically has performed pretty well against the Patriots. Generally the Patriots always have tough games when they travel to Buffalo. I'd feel pretty good about starting Jackson.

On what planet does historical data matter when they've completely revamped the defensive run blocking?! ... Which is sorta the entire point of the thread

On what planet do you take a 2-week sample size to make a point after excluding 1 week because it doesn't fit the trend proposed?

 

[GroveDiesel]

I'm not worried about the Patriots rush D when you have talent like Jackson going against them. You take away rice but forget to mention that the Cardinals and Titans faced them weeks 1 and 2, two poor rushing teams. Taking a 3-week sample size and eliminating the only good running team to leave 2 poor running teams and trying to make a conclustion is poor statistics practice.

Not just poor rushing teams, the 32nd and 30th ranked run offenses in the league on a ypc basis. They average a putrid 2.6ypc and 2.8ypc. That's horrendously bad. They held the Titans to lower than their average so far, but gave up more ypc to the Cardinals than what the Cards have otherwise averaged.On a rushing yards per game basis, the Titans are the worst in the league and the Cards are 6th worse.