3 stats that prove Patriots are Super Bowl contenders

2. Defense refuses to concede

Remember earlier in the season when the Patriots defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed and everyone got flashbacks to 2020? It’s almost like continuity is important, because this new-look group has learned to play together.

Over their last 23 possessions, the Patriots defense has scored 13 points and allowed just seven. They haven’t conceded a point in 19 consecutive possessions. They’ve also allowed 13 points and 622 yards (207.3 average) over the last three games.

Sure, that came against the Panthers, Browns and Falcons, but the last time we checked, Baker Mayfield and Matt Ryan are quality quarterbacks.

This defense remind anyone else of the early-2000s Patriots? Not many household names (aside from Matt Judon). Just a bunch of fundamentally-sound players who know their role and LOVE to lay down big hits.

We still have reservations about the secondary, but if Judon, Kyle Van Noy, Christian Barmore and the rest of the big fellas up front continue to generate pressure, that’ll only create opportunities for JC Jackson (who added to his tally on Thursday), Kyle Dugger and Co. to generate turnovers off rushed and errant throws.

This is a championship-level defense and we’ll get the chance to see them put their skills to the test real soon, as the Patriots will lock horns with the Bills (twice), Titans and the Colts over the next month.