After yet another dominant performance (and fantasy-winning week in many leagues), the Patriots Defense is proving to be the best late-round pick you could possibly have made. They're racking up sack and interception totals that might wind up being the best ever.
New England currently has 18 interceptions -- twice as many as the 2nd-place Panthers -- and 27 sacks (one fewer than Carolina). They're on pace for 41 interceptions and 59 sacks. It would be 8 more interceptions than any other defense this century, and in the top 5 for sacks.
In the tables below, 2019 totals are projected based on performance thus far. New England (and Carolina) probably won't reach those projected numbers; the Patriots have a tougher schedule going forward. But you never know.
TEAM INTERCEPTIONS, 2000-PRESENT | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Team | Int |
2019 | New England | 41 |
2001 | Cleveland | 33 |
2011 | Green Bay | 31 |
2005 | Cincinnati | 31 |
2002 | Tampa Bay | 31 |
2009 | Green Bay | 30 |
2007 | San Diego | 30 |
2003 | New England | 29 |
2013 | Seattle | 28 |
2009 | Buffalo | 28 |
2006 | Baltimore | 28 |
2003 | Minnesota | 28 |
2001 | Tampa Bay | 28 |
2000 | Miami | 28 |
2018 | Chicago | 27 |
2000 | Denver | 27 |
2009 | New Orleans | 26 |
2008 | Baltimore | 26 |
2004 | Carolina | 26 |
2010 | New England | 25 |
2009 | Philadelphia | 25 |
2003 | Kansas City | 25 |
2002 | Baltimore | 25 |
2000 | Tampa Bay | 25 |
2000 | Detroit | 25 |
2019 | Carolina | 24 |
2015 | Carolina | 24 |
2012 | Chicago | 24 |
2010 | Green Bay | 24 |
2006 | Chicago | 24 |
2005 | Chicago | 24 |
2005 | Minnesota | 24 |
2004 | Buffalo | 24 |
2003 | Baltimore | 24 |
2003 | St. Louis | 24 |
2002 | Atlanta | 24 |
2002 | Green Bay | 24 |
2001 | San Francisco | 24 |
2001 | Carolina | 24 |
2014 | San Francisco | 23 |
2013 | Buffalo | 23 |
2011 | San Francisco | 23 |
2011 | New England | 23 |
2010 | Philadelphia | 23 |
2008 | Cleveland | 23 |
2006 | Green Bay | 23 |
2005 | Carolina | 23 |
2004 | Seattle | 23 |
2004 | San Diego | 23 |
2003 | San Francisco | 23 |
2001 | Washington | 23 |
2000 | Baltimore | 23 |
2017 | Baltimore | 22 |
2015 | Kansas City | 22 |
2012 | Arizona | 22 |
2011 | Seattle | 22 |
2010 | Atlanta | 22 |
2009 | Baltimore | 22 |
2009 | Carolina | 22 |
2008 | Tampa Bay | 22 |
2008 | Chicago | 22 |
2008 | Green Bay | 22 |
2007 | Tennessee | 22 |
2007 | Indianapolis | 22 |
2006 | New England | 22 |
2004 | Houston | 22 |
2003 | Miami | 22 |
2001 | New England | 22 |
2001 | Denver | 22 |
Only four teams this century have had more sacks than New England is on pace for, while Carolina's would be 6 more than any other team.
TEAM SACKS, 2000-PRESENT | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Team | Sack |
2019 | Carolina | 72 |
2000 | New Orleans | 66 |
2006 | San Diego | 61 |
2006 | Baltimore | 60 |
2013 | Carolina | 60 |
2019 | New England | 59 |
2008 | Dallas | 59 |
2013 | Buffalo | 57 |
2017 | Pittsburgh | 56 |
2002 | Philadelphia | 56 |
2000 | Tampa Bay | 55 |
2017 | Jacksonville | 55 |
2000 | Tennessee | 55 |
2001 | Pittsburgh | 55 |
2014 | Buffalo | 54 |
2019 | Pittsburgh | 53 |
2019 | San Francisco | 53 |
2007 | NY Giants | 53 |
2001 | New Orleans | 53 |
2013 | St. Louis | 53 |
2001 | Green Bay | 52 |
2012 | St. Louis | 52 |
2002 | Carolina | 52 |
2012 | Denver | 52 |
2018 | Kansas City | 52 |
2015 | Denver | 52 |
2018 | Pittsburgh | 52 |
2019 | Cleveland | 51 |
2008 | Pittsburgh | 51 |
2000 | St. Louis | 51 |
2000 | Kansas City | 51 |
2012 | Cincinnati | 51 |
2019 | Arizona | 50 |
2018 | Chicago | 50 |
2002 | Pittsburgh | 50 |
2000 | Philadelphia | 50 |
2005 | Seattle | 50 |
2011 | Philadelphia | 50 |
2018 | Minnesota | 50 |
2017 | Carolina | 50 |
2011 | Minnesota | 50 |
2005 | Miami | 49 |
2018 | New Orleans | 49 |
2015 | New England | 49 |
2014 | Philadelphia | 49 |
2013 | New Orleans | 49 |
2014 | Baltimore | 49 |
2018 | Arizona | 49 |
2000 | Miami | 48 |
2010 | Pittsburgh | 48 |
2011 | NY Giants | 48 |
2001 | Chicago | 48 |
2004 | Atlanta | 48 |
2017 | LA Rams | 48 |
2015 | Pittsburgh | 48 |
2013 | New England | 48 |
2011 | Baltimore | 48 |
2008 | Philadelphia | 48 |
2016 | Arizona | 48 |
2001 | Cincinnati | 48 |
2009 | Minnesota | 48 |
2019 | Chicago | 48 |
2019 | Jacksonville | 48 |
--Andy Richardson