(01-16-2018, 04:40 PM)Boston_Prince Wrote:

(01-16-2018, 04:07 PM)Bullseye Wrote: This is a strange critique.

We scored 417 points total (5th overall).  Our defense scored seven (7) TDs or 49 points.  I'm no math major, but that's not even 12 percent of our points, if my math done in my head is correct.

How does that equate to "alot?"

But assuming arguendo it does equal "alot," are we to somehow apologize for our defense scoring points?

Are these points somehow less valuable than TDs scored by the offense, or do they otherwise not count?

Do the Patriots not benefit from defensive scores?  I remember Ty Law returning an INT for a TD in the Pats first SB win.  Does that not count?

If you subtracted defensive TDs and their extra points from our point total, we'd still be eleventh in scoring, which means our offense can still actually score points "legitimately."

(Anyone else find it interesting that a Pats fan would question the legitimacy of any other team's production?)

Another strange critique was basing the strength of a defense off of yards given up. Points is what matters, I'm sure you agree. I don't care if we give up 8,000 yards a game, as long as we hold teams to less than 17 points on average, I'll take that each time. Teams, since week 3 I think, could barely put 20 points up on this defense but that gets overshadowed by having Brady and the offense. 

Additionally, your team's schedule was ranked what, 30, 31st in the league? I wouldn't find that legitimacy questionable. Your team had a VERY easy schedule and lost to some of the worst teams. Your team in ranked #1 in scoring defense, so yes your team gets a ton of points through its defense. Not a bad thing, just a fact.

Considering the league and most media outlets rank defenses by yards allowed, it isn't so strange, although ultimately, points are the benchmark.

Once again, another fan trots  out the tired strength of schedule argument, conveniently forgetting the winning teams that were kept out of the playoffs because of losses to us (Bolts, Ravens, Seahawks).  It's awfully disingenuous to use that now considering the low likelihood you had us being anywhere near this point with this same schedule right before the season started.

I know you are not the Steelers or the Bills, but that strength of schedule argument didn't help either of them against us.  It won't help the Pats, either.

It won't help an aging Solder block Ngakoue or Cameron Fleming block Calais Campbell.

It won't help Hogan or Amendola beat the press of Ramsey or Bouye.

It won't help soften the blow of any hits we put on Brady.

It won't make Fournette any easier to tackle.

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