An NFL defense is primarily defined by statistical categories: from the big one — points allowed — to other ones such as sacks, yards, and takeaways. How teams accomplish success in all these different areas varies with talent and scheme as two of the most prominent factors impacting it. Among the underrated yet not any less important ones, however, also is a defense’s ability to communicate.
The New England Patriots have one big advantage in this area over other teams: they field one of the most experienced defensive units in all of football. The group, which is built around a nucleus that has won three Super Bowls in the last five years, features fourteen players with five or more seasons of NFL play on their respective résumés.