Why the New England Patriots Defense Will Improve in the Season's 2nd Half

When the Patriots have been under the microscope this year, analysts have sounded like a broken record in dissecting the team's defense. The Patriots' lackluster secondary and the league's worst pass defense continues to dominate conversation.

Blame seems to fall on the defensive mastermind, head coach Bill Belichick, for not dialing up elaborate blitzes or showing a variety of disguised looks. If there's one reason for the Patriots failing to tally a playoff victory since 2007, it's the lack of talent in their secondary. It should be quite obvious to Belichick and the organization of the shortcomings in their defensive backfield in recent years.

It seems Belichick's strategy has been to play a soft zone coverage and to provide the offense with a cushion to move the ball through the air. The Pats have allowed a league worst 424.1 yards per game and after Sunday's game to the Steelers, their red zone defense fell to last in the league. 

So given the porous Patriots defense, what makes me think the team will turn a 180 in the second half of the season?

For starters, let's not ignore the Patriots schedule in the second half of the season. This week's matchup against the Giants and Week 12 against the Eagles pose the hardest threat for the Pats. Besides mediocre offensive attacks from the Jets and Chiefs in Weeks 10 and 11, the Patriots have a stretch of four straight against the Colts, Redskins, Broncos and Dolphins. These four games should be a piece of cake that Belichick could cut apart in his sleep.

If you examine some of the Patriots games from earlier this season, the numbers aren't exactly what they seem. In Week 6 against the Cowboys, New England held the Cowboys to 77 yards rushing, continually came up with big stops on third downs and held Dallas to just 16 points. This was all done while having their backs against the wall time and time again in the field position department. Tony Romo's 317 yards passing which contributes to the Patriots league-worst pass defense was clearly just a mirage in that game.

The Pats defense kept Darren McFadden in check in Week 4, holding him to just 75 yards and also held the Jets running attack in check the next week. 

I know what you're probably thinking right now: I'm only making a case for the Patriots run-defense being of any value. That's not really what I'm saying. A more accurate assessment of my argument would be that the Patriots defense thrives off their ability to stop the run and standing strong on third downs.

The Patriots typically are successful with their "bend but don't break" defense and past years support that this team's current abysmal defensive red zone numbers should wind up being merely an aberration. Total yards is one of the most deceiving statistics you can investigate in order to judge a defense.

Further indicators for a Patriots improved defense is the factor of Jerod Mayo returning to the team. The team's best defensive player, Mayo should be good to go in a full-time role for the second half of the season after returning from a knee injury in last Sunday's game in shortened playing time.

The play of the Patriots pass rush has also gone unnoticed by many as the impact of Andre Carter and Mark Andersen has been impressive. The two have combined for 10 sacks at the season's halfway mark, whereas Tully Banta-Cain provided a majority of the Patriots non-existent pass rush a year ago, registering 9.5 sacks.

The team has talented new pieces on the defensive line that will continue to progress and mesh with the rest of the young makeup of the Patriots defense. Second year linebacker Brandon Spikes will be somebody to keep an eye on in the second half of the season as he is becoming more comfortable in a playmaker's role from the linebacker position. It will also be important for Devin McCourty to return to his rookie form that landed him a spot in last year's Pro Bowl.

The organization has made hair-raising decisions in their defensive backfield, such as letting go of James Sanders, Darius Butler, Brandon Merriweather and most recently Leigh Bodden. However, I believe Belichick can patch the holes in the secondary. Disregard the yardage that this defense is giving up. If they can get off the field on third downs and improve their play in the red zone, this unit can return to a respectful level in the league.