Pats Struggle on D
The most frustrating aspect of this season's 8-5 record is that the defense has not held up its end of the bargain. In all but one of NE's losses, the defense surrendered over 30 points.
Once Brady went down in Week 1, it was evident this team would not go 16-0, and probably would have to struggle to make the playoffs. This is the case, but not for the reasons I would have thought. This is a team that had trouble with running the ball last year, and with a roster full of oft injured backs, that did not seem like it would improve. Yet, somehow the run game has held up, averaging 125 + yards a game.
Cassel looks more like a young Brady than the deer in headlights first year starter that we all anticipated. What is missing is a playmaker on Defense. They have Seymour, and the rest of the start studded defensive line, but some of the stars of old (Vrabel, Bruschi) look like just that - OLD. Jerrod Mayo was a great pickup, and hopefully Thomas will be back next year to bring some life to this defense, but there is no excuse for a mediocre team like Seattle to move up and down the field, as they were able to do in Sunday's game.
