Defense still wins championships; and while the two teams playing in this year’s Super Bowl XLVI might not have the best statistical defenses, the game will undoubtedly be won by the team who is able to make a big defensive stop, not necessarily the team who can come up with a big scoring play. We have been told for years that defense wins championships in the NFL. This year’s playoff field seemed to defy that logic a bit, but one by one we saw some of the league’s top scoring teams fall by the wayside because they were unable to come up with a single important defensive stop.
While neither the Giants nor the Patriots will be lauded as great defensive teams, both squads relied heavily on their defense in the conference championship games, earning the right to play in the biggest football game of the year. We are finding out that the phrase “Defense Wins Championships” doesn’t necessarily mean that the team with the best defense throughout the year will win the Super Bowl, but rather that at some point in the playoffs or Super Bowl, both teams will be asked to step up defensively, and the team that is able to do it more consistently will come away the winner.
The New England Patriots Defense
Much maligned all year long, and deservedly so, the New England Patriots defense really stepped up when it mattered. They put on one of their best defensive performances of the season against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, and followed it up with an adequate showing in the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens, highlighted by effectively shutting down Ray Rice, and two great passes defensed by Sterling Moore to stall the Ravens’ drive.
While Patriots fans would rather see the fate of the game rest on the arm of Tom Brady, rather than the shoulders of this defense, there are some indicators that things are looking up for the New England defense. The secondary still has some major issues, but an improved pass rush is taking some of the pressure off of the corners and safeties. The linebacker play has really stepped up with Rob Ninkovich and Brandon Spikes playing some of their best football at the right time. Lastly, Patriots fans can take solace in the numbers that really matter. While their defense might have been 31st in the regular season when it came to yards allowed, they ranked closer to the middle of the pack when it came to allowing points. Their bend-don’t-break style of defense is usually good enough to keep the game within a manageable distance for Brady and this prolific offense.
The New York Giants Defense
Statistically, the Giants were one of the poorer defenses in the NFL throughout the regular season, although the squad never quite got the same media attention that the Patriots did. Fans and analysts alike credited the poor defensive play to a smattering of injuries that plagued the Giants defense throughout the year. Well this squad is healthy now and beginning to exert itself upon the teams it has faced in the playoffs. The New York Football Giants have given up a total of 39 points through three games in the playoffs thus far; an average of 13 points a game. Their defensive performances have been highlighted by a game against the Falcons in which they came up with numerous 3rd and 4th down stops while not allowing a single offensive point, effectively shutting down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Lambeau Field, and finally holding the 49ers to just 1 of 13 on third down conversions in the NFC title game. The Giants offense may have gotten them into the playoffs, but their defense is helping them navigate it.
Why are Terrible Defensive Teams Finding Success?
The NFL is an evolving entity, just like anything else on this earth. It is changing and adapting as fans desire to see more offense, and everyone (with a soul) asks for an increased emphasis on player safety. Let’s take nothing away from the great quarterbacks this year, but there is a reason why three QB’s threw for over 5,000 yards and 10 threw for more than 4,000. Defenses aren’t allowed to headhunt receivers like they could in the past. Just 10 years ago, running a route over the middle usually meant that you were getting hit – even if you weren’t targeted with the pass. The middle of the field was a gauntlet of dirty linebackers and vicious safeties. Today, the slightest helmet to helmet contact on a receiver merits a 15 yard penalty and a hefty fine from the league. I think that the new emphasis on the rules is great for player safety, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that this is the same league that Dan Marino played in nearly 30 years ago when he set the NFL single season passing record.
There is still a place for smash mouth football, as evidenced by the success of the Ravens and 49ers, but when push comes to shove, today’s game favors the quarterbacks which breaks things wide open for late game comebacks and long scoring plays. Today’s defense needs to be able to do two things – play within the rules (meaning no penalties for illegal hits), and keep the game in front of them (usually at the expense of allowing gross amounts of yardage).
Who Holds the Defensive Advantage in the Super Bowl?
Neither team is relishing the task of stopping their opponent’s offense in Super Bowl XLVI, but one team must have it easier right? The Giants play a physical style of defense that rushes the quarterback well, without having to blitz very often. This allows linebackers to drop back into coverage, making it a lot tougher on the QB’s to not only read, but make an accurate throw. The Patriots play a little more finesse, ball hawking style of defense that takes advantage of turnovers. If I needed a team to make a huge defensive stop on 3rd or 4th and short – I would take the Giants D. If I needed a timely, momentum shifting turnover – I would take the Patriots. If we are simply comparing defensive squads to a single standard, the Giants have a superior defense. If we are comparing defensive squads based on the offense they are facing, I think that the Patriots have a slight advantage (i.e. Manning is easier to stop than Brady).
But make no mistake about it – both squads are playing some of the best defensive football that we’ve seen out of either team all year long. Defense will play a factor in this game and as the game progresses, the pressure on each defense to make a big play will grow and grow, which is where Super Bowl heroes and goats claim their place in NFL history.