Sub defense rose up to challenge
November, 18, 2010
11/18/10
3:00
PM ET
By
Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com
When the Patriots jumped out to an early lead over the Steelers, it altered the defensive approach.
Instead of staying in the base 3-4 alignment, the Patriots played more with an extra defensive back as the Steelers were forced into more of a passing mode.
A look at the final numbers (including penalties and two-point conversions):
Sub: 61 of 78
Base: 15 of 78
Short-yardage: 2 of 78
On the season, the Patriots have now been in sub packages more than the base -- with the sub featuring more safeties. Including penalties, the Patriots have been on the field for an average of 70 plays per game, which is a high total and reflects their 32nd ranking on third down.
The season breakdown:
Sub defense: 319 of 633 (50.3 percent)
Base defense: 291 of 633 (45.9 percent)
Short yardage: 23 of 633 (3.6 percent)
Instead of staying in the base 3-4 alignment, the Patriots played more with an extra defensive back as the Steelers were forced into more of a passing mode.
A look at the final numbers (including penalties and two-point conversions):
Sub: 61 of 78
Base: 15 of 78
Short-yardage: 2 of 78
On the season, the Patriots have now been in sub packages more than the base -- with the sub featuring more safeties. Including penalties, the Patriots have been on the field for an average of 70 plays per game, which is a high total and reflects their 32nd ranking on third down.
The season breakdown:
Sub defense: 319 of 633 (50.3 percent)
Base defense: 291 of 633 (45.9 percent)
Short yardage: 23 of 633 (3.6 percent)
Mike Reiss
Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com- Covered Patriots since 1997
- Blogging on Pats since 2004
- Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009
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Mike Reiss
Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter here.
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