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New England Patriots’ Defense Proves They Can Win Games In Week 12

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By @petahrahgas

Calvin Johnson Brandon Browner

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I’m not sure people outside of the New England Patriots’ fanbase realize how amazing it is to have a defense like this one. Maybe they have a small inkling but nowhere near the full insanity that this defense brings to those of the Foxborough faithful.

For years Patriots fans have watched Tom Brady and the offense put up gaudy numbers but watched a defense that, while often strong in the takeaway category, handed out yards like hugs on National Hug Day. (Is that a real holiday? It should be.) This was all fine and good until the playoffs would roll around and the Patriots would face a top-five defense. The offense couldn’t get going and the defense wasn’t strong enough to win the game for the Patriots.

But that has changed. Week 12’s game against the Detroit Lions showed all of Patriots fandom that the defense can win the Patriots games.

While a 34-9 score shouts offensive dominance, in reality, the Patriots’ offense was only dominant in the first half. The Lions’ No. 1 defense held the Patriots’ offense in check, allowing them to only score 10 points in the second half, and even that is misleading since the touchdown came with a minute left in the game. Through almost all of the second half, the Patriots’ offense only mustered a field goal, after scoring 24 in the first half.

Giving an offense of Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, no matter how much they were struggling, a full half to score three touchdowns isn’t out of the question. In fact it’s very doable. Had this game been played a few years ago, the Lions’ offense would have gotten rolling in the second half, tying the game up and then placing all the pressure on Brady and the offense to piece together a last-second, game-winning drive. Yes, Brady can handle those drives, but my heart can only take so much stress before it gives up.

But with this Patriots team, the defense never let the Lions sniff the end zone nor did they let them even come back in this game. Darrelle Revis took away Tate, and Brandon Browner played his best game as a Patriot, shutting down Megatron (along with a little safety help). Along with a surprisingly strong pass rush, the defense imposed its will on the Lions all game long and was easily able to carry the weight and pressure of preventing the offense from scoring while the Patriots’ offense struggled.

The Patriots’ defense will again have another brutal challenge this upcoming weekend on the road against the smoking hot (though they cooled down a little against those pesky Minnesota Vikings) Green Bay Packers. Many are saying this could be a Super Bowl preview, and by many I mean me and everyone else in the known universe. I already have the Patriots going to the Super Bowl, but if the defense puts together another dominant display against the Packers, the Patriots will be hands-down favorites to win it all.

Peter Rogers is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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