Patriots secondary for MVP

The Washington Post’s Neil Greenberg uses TruMedia’s research tool and expected-points model to suggest that the Patriots secondary should be the league MVP…

“The Patriots have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 143 of 273 attempts (52 percent) for 1,190 yards, two touchdowns and 19 interceptions, earning those foes a 40.6 passer rating against, per data from TruMedia. For context, an incomplete pass earns a quarterback a 39.6 passer rating. Since 2002, the first year the league expanded to 32 teams, only the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating lower than 50 percent during the first eight weeks of the season, but that year the league average passer rating was 80.4, compared to an average passer rating of 92.0 in 2019. …

Plus, according to data from TruMedia, the Patriots are holding opponents to 36.3 fewer points than expected per 100 passing plays, after taking into account the down, distance and field position of each throw against them. That’s the best rate since 2002 and nearly 16 points per 100 snaps better than the next-best pass defense, the 2019 San Francisco 49ers.”

Full article: The Washington Post