Amnorix
10-03-2005, 11:27 AM
Not that you guys care that much, but it may well be...
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=464&Category=1
Of course, the defeat may have been a long time coming. In fact, since white-washing Indy in the 2004 postseason, the New England defense yet to truly shut down another opponent. The Patriots have now allowed six straight opponents to score 20 or more points on it – Pittsburgh (27) in the AFC title game, Philly (21) in Super Bowl XXXIX and the first four opponents of 2005 (Oakland, 20; Carolina, 27; Pittsburgh, 20; San Diego, 41).
How bad is that streak? Consider this: Even the 1990 New England Patriots, who went 1-15 and hold the distinction of being the worst team in franchise history, never allowed six straight opponents to score 20 or more points.
The problem for New England now is not that it’s struggling defensively. The problem for New England now is that it outright sucks defensively. In the middle of Sunday's game, San Diego racked up five straight scoring drives against a defense last season that was one of the best in football: 57 yards and a TD; 78 yards and a TD; 80 yards and a TD; 75 yards and a TD; 72 yards and a FG.
The Patriots have now surrendered 108 points in four games, worst in the AFC. And only three teams in the entire NFL have given up more points and all three reside in the lowly NFC West (Arizona, 110 points; St. Louis, 111 points; San Francisco, 132 points). So the Patriots began to show cracks even with Harrison in the lineup. And now without him, they suffer a monumental loss.
No Harrison. Historic defeat. You do the math. We've done ours: Harrison is the straw that broke the champ's back.
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=464&Category=1
Of course, the defeat may have been a long time coming. In fact, since white-washing Indy in the 2004 postseason, the New England defense yet to truly shut down another opponent. The Patriots have now allowed six straight opponents to score 20 or more points on it – Pittsburgh (27) in the AFC title game, Philly (21) in Super Bowl XXXIX and the first four opponents of 2005 (Oakland, 20; Carolina, 27; Pittsburgh, 20; San Diego, 41).
How bad is that streak? Consider this: Even the 1990 New England Patriots, who went 1-15 and hold the distinction of being the worst team in franchise history, never allowed six straight opponents to score 20 or more points.
The problem for New England now is not that it’s struggling defensively. The problem for New England now is that it outright sucks defensively. In the middle of Sunday's game, San Diego racked up five straight scoring drives against a defense last season that was one of the best in football: 57 yards and a TD; 78 yards and a TD; 80 yards and a TD; 75 yards and a TD; 72 yards and a FG.
The Patriots have now surrendered 108 points in four games, worst in the AFC. And only three teams in the entire NFL have given up more points and all three reside in the lowly NFC West (Arizona, 110 points; St. Louis, 111 points; San Francisco, 132 points). So the Patriots began to show cracks even with Harrison in the lineup. And now without him, they suffer a monumental loss.
No Harrison. Historic defeat. You do the math. We've done ours: Harrison is the straw that broke the champ's back.