The New England Patriots are the hottest team in the NFL, having beaten a murderer's row of AFC "heavyweights," including the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and most recently, the New York Jets (who, coincidentally, beat the Patriots in Week 2, 28-14). And their dominance hasn't existed against only AFC teams, either, as they've also beaten two NFC North division title contenders in the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
The vast majority of press coverage on the team has focused on the offense — and rightfully so, thanks to the Randy Moss saga, Logan Mankins' holdout, and Tom Brady's resurgence to his rightful place as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Despite sharing the league-best record (11-2) along with the Atlanta Falcons, the defense has definitely had a rocky ride from the beginning of the season all the way until now.
With the retirements of safety Rodney Harrison and linebacker Tedy Bruschi and departure of linebacker Mike Vrabel (to the Kansas City Chiefs), Bill Belichick has had to teach the rookies and other young, inexperienced players on his defense himself. Indeed, this is one of the biggest theories as to why he named himself defensive coordinator this year (in addition to being head coach, as well, obviously).
Of the 11 starters on defense, eight have just three years of experience or less (nine if you count nickel-back formations). Of these eight, six have just two years of experience or less under their belts and two are first-year rookies. Note that this is with Gary Guyton starting at inside linebacker due to the Brandon Spikes suspension. When Spikes is in his rightful position starting at inside linebacker, it factors out to an incredible nine-of-11 starters with three years of experience or less.
Take a moment and let that sink in for a few.
It's pretty much common sense that any kind of football unit — much less a defensive one — with that much inexperience on the field is going to have its ups and downs. And it's quite obvious to anyone who follows the game that this defense has had its share of struggles this year.
Interestingly enough, the troubles started with the Jets in Week 2. While they continued, ultimately culminating in the Week 9 drubbing at the hands of the Browns, it may have been these two losses that ultimately helped the unit pull everything together and turn things around just in time for the postseason.
In the last two games against the Jets and Bears, the Patriots defense played with a precision and near-flawless execution normally reserved for hardened, veteran-heavy units. It's also quite interesting to note that the defense's first real whipping came at the hands of the division rival Jets. Mark Sanchez and company seemed to have their way in whatever it was they chose to do — over, around, through, whichever — it didn't matter. When you throw in the fact that this was the same division rival who had been talking smack all offseason long, you just know that the sting from that one must have hurt something fierce.
Based on what happened in Week 2, the defense's stellar performance in the Week 13 annihilation of the Jets proved two things: one, that they've patched up their weaknesses and damn near made these weaknesses their new strengths; and two, that they can effectively and productively deal with adversity or failure and not only bounce back from it, but bounce back as a stronger, wiser group of players.
Whether or not there are any trials or lessons left for this young defense heading into the future remains to be seen. However, based on what we've seen thus far, there may not be many lessons left to learn. Perhaps the worst days are behind them and they've used the experiences from these dark days to further fuel their motivation to ensure their success.
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