FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots’ defense has come a long way since 2012.
Last year, New England was 25th in total defense, allowing 373.2 yards per game. They were tied for ninth in points allowed with 20.7. In 2013, they’ve improved to 16th in total defense, allowing 345 yards per game, and second in points allowed (14 per game).
The Patriots have a reputation that precedes them, though. And no matter how good they have been this year, there’s still some hesitance over whether what we’ve seen so far is the real deal. They have a chance to validate themselves against the Saints this week, though.
“Absolutely,” Spikes said. “I think they’re very explosive. We can come in and try to contain them, just be sound all the way around, I think we’ll be fine on Sundays.”
Spikes is of the opinion that defense is the key to winning Super Bowls. That was certainly the case with this Patriots team in the early aughts. Starting around 2007, New England’s offense starting taking the front seat. The Patriots were still able to make a Super Bowl in 2011, but it’s a minor miracle given how bad the defense had become. They were ranked 31st in total defense that season and 15th in points allowed.
“Always. My opinion is defense wins games, wins championships, stuff like that,” Spikes said. “Offense score points and it’s our job to stop them. Any game you need defense. I think we should just come out and take pride and try to be great every Sunday. We can. We got the checkers to do it, we just gotta make the right moves.”
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