- 2020 – 15th allowing 353.75 yds per game
- 2021 – 4th allowing 310.82 yds per game
- 2022 – 8th allowing 322 yds per game
- 2023 – 7th allowing 301.59 yds per game
In 2020 he had to adjust to a team that was lost on offense and couldnt transition with a shot Cam Newton at quarterback. Further adjustments and he had a top ten defense every year. He did it with an offense with marginal NFL talent. Now lets take a look at the Chargers defense:
- 2020 – 10th allowing 343.4 yds per game
- 2021 – 23rd allowing 360.1 yds per game
- 2022 – 20th allowing 346.1 yds per game
- 2023 – 28th allowing 362.9 yds per game
Now quickly name the top defensive players from both these teams. If you didnt start with Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Derwin James you’re lying to yourself. Belichick with this defensive talent would run laps around the AFC West that wouldn’t know what hit them.
Did you know in the last 4 years Belichick fielded 3 top ten defenses with 4 total Pro Bowl defenders? OLB Matt Judon twice, Stephon Gilmore & KC Jackson once each. The Chargers had 6 even with Bosa, Mack and James missing a few due to injury,
Belichick is a REAL defensive wizard and not one of these Coach by crayons- just call cover 2 or 3 and double A gap blitz Nickle defense. He dates back to Super Bowl XXV and how to slow a passing attack on the biggest stage. Has employed “Ameoba defenses” like Fritz Shurmer’s Eagle Defense he stood across in the 89 playoffs. Don’t forget he coached with Fritz in Detroit… yet I digress
When you look at the yardage disparity between what the Patriots & Chargers were allowing are where NFL games are won & lost. That 30-40 yard difference are the 3 scoring drives that could have been kept alive but you had to punt on 4th and 3 4 times in a game. Or couldn’t get your opponent to punt 4 more times to disrupt their offense. Situational football… the expertise Belichick brings. Coaching and teaching why certain jobs have to be done.
What would Belichick be able to do with teaching situational football with an offense of Justin Herbert, Austin Eckler, & Keenan Allen?? Did you forget Belchick coached the 2007 Patriots to an NFL record 589 points and a 16-0 regular season?
This is your coach…
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