Can the new Pats D play like the old Pats D?

The Patriots are returning to the Super Bowl for the fifth time in the Bill Belichick Era, an incredible run of success for coach and player. The win over the Ravens in some ways was a gift, or at least the absence of overtime was a gift.

Over the course of the last few years Patriots fans have been privy to some really crappy finishes. Let's make a quick list, shall we?

Super Bowl XLII: Giants 17 – Patriots 14

November 2, 2008: Colts 18 – Patriots 15

November 15, 2009: Colts 35 – Patriots 34

December 6, 2009: Dolphins 22 – Patriots 21

October 11, 2009: Broncos 20 – Patriots 17 OT

January 16, 2011: Jets 28 – Patriots 21

September 25, 2011: Bills 34 – Patriots 31

November 6, 2011: Giants 24 – Patriots 20

Since the 2007 season the Patriots have lost a total of 18 games, including three playoff losses; eight of those losses are listed above.1 These were all games that were close down the wire, but in seven of those eight games the Patriots allowed their opponent to score on the last possession of the game.

The only game where the opponent didn't score on their final possession was the 18-15 loss to the Colts, a game in which the Patriots allowed a field goal on the Colts' second to last possession. Seven games over the course of exactly four years might seem like a very small amount, but when you consider that 33% of the Patriots' losses have come on the last possession, it is a little alarming.

If you look back past 2007, and remember the stretch from 1998—2004, you’ll recall that it was back when the backbone of New England’s success was their staunch defensive play. There are so many defensive plays from that era that stand out:

• Otis Smith running back a fumble to win the AFC Championship game in 1998 (yes young readers, the Jaguars were in the AFC Championship Game).
• Willy "Big Play" Clay catching an interception in the end zone at the end of a playoff game.
• Ty Law scoring in Super Bowl XXXVI, spearheading the entire team to a 20-17 win over the Rams.
• Willie McGinest stuffing Edgerrin James at the goal line at the very end of a game in 2003 to win 38-34.
• Rodney Harrison picking off Donovan McNabb to end the Super Bowl against the Eagles.

You can also extend the great plays to special teams: Troy Brown's punt return against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and all of Adam Vinatieri's kicks.

Now, if we look back at the Ravens game from this past Sunday many people will say the Pats were lucky. Billy Cundiff missed a big kick at the end that would have forced overtime. It wasn't to win the game; it was to extend the game.

But this shouldn’t be considered too big of a knock on the Pats. After all, doesn't it usually take a little luck to win the Super Bowl? You get lucky, and you take advantage of it. The Helmet Catch. The Tuck rule. The Immaculate Reception. Neil O'Donnell playing quarterback for the opponent. Tommy Maddox playing quarterback playing for the opponent.

On Sunday, the Patriots defense did something it has not done in a long time, especially under pressure against good opponents: it made stops. Brandon Spikes made a huge interception with 7 minutes left, which at the time seemed like it ended the game. Then Tom Brady got confused and thought Matt Slater was Randy Moss, throwing a bad interception on the very next play.

After Brady's interception, the Patriots defense went out and forced the Ravens to turn the ball over on downs, with Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo making big plays (Mayo covered Ray Rice on that 4th down as he ran out for a pass).

The Pats went three and out following that big stop by the defense, and ran just four plays in the last seven minutes of the game. This would have been a huge deal if Cundiff made his kick, or if the ghost of Ty Law didn't possess Sterling Moore for two minutes.

So what am I trying to say? The fourth quarter gave the Patriots defense an opportunity to make plays, and guys stepped up. Patriot fans weren't watching Ellis Hobbs look around confused as Plaxico Burress celebrated a touchdown catch. We weren't watching Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo fans going nuts after an unreal comeback. We were watching the Patriots get stops and make plays on defense. I had forgotten what that was like.

So much of this lack of defensive playmaking started with Super Bowl XLII. It has put pressure on the offense for four years, it has left fans frustrated, and it has left everyone unsatisfied at the end of the last seven seasons.

Finally, Wilfork made plays. Mayo, Spikes, and Sterling Moore made plays. Lee Evans could have caught that ball and won the game, but Moore made a great play. So what if you had never heard of him before Sunday afternoon? Success breeds confidence, and in my mind, it might be just in time.