During Sunday’s disaster in Miami, it didn’t look like the Patriots defense could catch a cold. Sure they were pretty great on third down, but other times they were a sieve. Since they are giving up 338 yards at home and 402 yards on the road, clearly it’s all part of playing better at home, right?
While that stat gives you a quick glimpse of the Patriots’ defensive woes, it doesn’t tell the full story. If instead of just looking at the location of the game, you pay attention to the surface being played on, you’ll see the real issue.
Solely focusing on whether the Patriots are playing on turf or grass there’s almost a 100 yard difference in yards given up. Regardless of location, the Patriots have given up an average of 372.5 yards per game this season. On turf they have given up 345.8 yards and on grass they’ve given up 432.5 yards.
If you run the numbers only for away games, the yards given up on turf increases to 361.6. Since at home on turf they are giving up 338 yards, that’s not a huge jump.
Because the offense you are playing may have a huge impact on how many yards you give up, I’ve broken down the grass games below.
If you run the numbers only for away games, the yards given up on turf increases to 361.6. Since at home on turf they are giving up 338 yards, that’s not a huge jump.
Because the offense you are playing may have a huge impact on how many yards you give up, I’ve broken down the grass games below.
Looking at the table you can see that regardless of opponents’ offense against other teams, they seem to be lighting it up when the Patriots come to town.
Since we we all know that wins and losses are based on points scored, I looked at the number of points scored against the Patriots this season. Of their worst 5 games, 4 of them were on grass.
So, whether we look at points given up or yards given up, the Patriots defense appears to have a problem when on grass.
This week the Patriots are heading into Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Since Heinz field is grass and there is a warm up and rain predicted for this weekend, the field may play a big factor for the defense.
Since we we all know that wins and losses are based on points scored, I looked at the number of points scored against the Patriots this season. Of their worst 5 games, 4 of them were on grass.
So, whether we look at points given up or yards given up, the Patriots defense appears to have a problem when on grass.
This week the Patriots are heading into Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Since Heinz field is grass and there is a warm up and rain predicted for this weekend, the field may play a big factor for the defense.
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