TENACIOUS ‘D’
Texans face a Patriots team that is on a historical pace this year
The New England Patriots’ defense is having a historical season that could turn out to be the best in NFL history.
The Patriots are 10-1 going into their Sunday night game against the Texans at NRG Stadium, and they’re allowing an NFL-low 10.6 points a game.
New England ranks among the top four in eight significant defensive statistics. Being first in takeaways (29), interceptions (20), turnover differential (plus-19) and in the red zone (40 percent) is impressive enough, but here’s the most incredible statistic: The
Patriots’ defense has surrendered only nine touchdowns in 11 games. They’ve
limited opponents to single digits in five games.
San Francisco fans may protest and claim the 49ers are the best because they’re first in yards allowed and the Patriots are second. But the 49ers’ defense has given up 16 touchdowns, seven more than New England. And San Francisco allows 14.8 points.
What makes the Patriots’ defensive performance so extraordinary is coach Bill Belichick lost coordinators on that side of the ball in each of the last two years. Longtime assistants Matt Patricia (Detroit) and Brian Flores (Miami) left for head coaching jobs.
Greg Schiano was hired to replace Flores, but before the Patriots got around to announcing it, he quit to spend more time with his family. That left Belichick, one of the greatest defensive coordinators in league history, to take over that side of the ball. His oldest son Steve, who coaches safeties, has taken on an enhanced role with the defense.
When Belichick was asked about the success of his defense this season, he refused to take any credit and pointed to his players.
“Good players — a lot of good players on that group, and we've played quite a few guys,” he said. “I’d say 18 to 20 are involved there with significant play time. We have good depth and players that have been productive and consistent and good with their assignments and their technique (and) fundamentals.”
To see just how great the Patriots’ defense has been, let’s compare it to three of the greatest in history — the 1975 Steelers, 1985 Bears and 2000 Ravens — all Super Bowl champions.
The Steelers finished 12-2 in their 14-game season and 15-2 counting playoffs.
They recorded 43 sacks and forced 37 turnovers. They allowed 11.6 points a game. The defense surrendered 17 touchdowns. They limited seven opponents — half their games — to single digits.
In the playoffs, they defeated Baltimore 28-10, Oakland 16-10 and Dallas 21-17 in the Super Bowl. That’s 12.3 points allowed in three playoff games.
The NFL went to 16 games in 1978. The 1985 Bears were 15-1 in the regular season and won three playoff games to finish 18-1. They had 64 sacks and 54 takeaways, including 34 interceptions. They limited six opponents to single digits. They gave up 12.4 points a game. The defense allowed 22 touchdowns.
The Bears were even more dominant in the playoffs, beating the Giants 21-0, the Rams 24-0 and the Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl. That’s 3.3 points a game in the playoffs.
The Ravens were a wildcard team 15 years later, finishing 12-4 in the regular season before winning four playoff games. They allowed 10.3 points. They limited nine opponents to single digits and recorded four shutouts. They forced 49 turnovers, including 26 fumbles.
In the playoffs, the Ravens defeated the Broncos 21-3, Titans 24-10 and Raiders 16-3 before mauling the Giants 34-7 in the Super Bowl. That’s 5.7 points in four playoff games.
At this point of the season, the Patriots’ defense ranks with the greatest in history, but they have to
keep it up. After the Texans, they host Kansas City, play at Cincinnati and finish at home against Buffalo and Miami.
“They're playing great defense for a lot of different reasons,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “They have excellent players at every position (and) they're well-coached.
“You've got guys that have been playing in that system for a long time. Their secondary is as good as it is when it comes to being in position, communication (and) playing the proper technique. They're taking the ball away at a historic rate. Interceptions, stripping the ball, and then they play with great technique up front.”
The Patriots have stability because of Belichick. Coaches like O’Brien, Patricia, Flores and Romeo Crennel come and go through Gillette Stadium, but the Patriots never skip a beat. That’s why they’re the envy of every team in the league, including the Texans.
Before a national television audience on Sunday night, it’ll be up to O’Brien to call plays that allow Deshaun Watson and his teammates to do what only one team has done.
Baltimore handed New England its only loss (3720) and remains the only team to score more than 14 points against the Patriots. That kind of defense is the ultimate challenge for O’Brien, Watson, DeAndre Hopkins and their teammates on offense.