Factoid
Wondering why the Patriots have been absent from the Super Bowl the last two years, and haven't won since after the 2004 season? Their defense -- specifically, their fantasy defense -- is a good place to start.
While New England has consistently maintained one of the league's best defenses in strictly NFL terms, it's in fantasy terms where the numbers show it currently has one of the league's lesser groups. Although strong in terms of yards, the Patriots have tailed off badly in key fantasy areas (sacks, turnovers, defensive touchdowns).
Over the last seven seasons, New England has ranked outside the top 11 in total defense only one time. That's in terms of total yardage allowed, which is how the NFL ranks defenses. But in fantasy circles -- based on a scoring system that awards 2 points for sacks and turnovers and 6 points for all defensive and special teams touchdowns -- the Patriots have had a bottom-10 defense three times in the last seven years. Those three dismal rankings coincide with the only three times the team has won one or fewer playoff games.
The team's defensive rankings, in NFL and fantasy (FFL) terms, as well as how their season turned out, are presented below.
Year NFL FFL Result
2009 11th 23rd Lost 1st playoff game
2008 10th 25th Missed playoffs
2007 4th 2nd Made Super Bowl
2006 6th 9th Made AFC Championship
2005 26th 30th Lost 2nd playoff game
2004 9th 5th Won Super Bowl
2003 7th 3rd Won Super Bowl
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