I think BB saw some defect in the Fin's blocking teams and came up with a way to exploit it, although our "D" still allows to many yards and 3rd down conversions the younger players are hopefully getting a knack for creating some turnovers to help compensate for a weak pass rush..
Thing is, that is what BB does. He makes a gameplan for each game that capitalizes on a teams weakness. After their superbowl teams, their D was shown for what it was, overrated. He has been able to mask a bad D for so long until the team was compromised of all rookies. At that point, none of those rookies could follow a gameplan and they tried to be a shutdown defense, which is what the Pats never were. Why do you think they benched Merriweather a few games ago? Guy is talented, but he never stuck to gameplans and he created an even bigger whole on the defense.
Do not forget. Their passing game was our best defense
Also, I was sad because I was thinking about adding the Pats D to fantasy. I second guessed myself

Really, can you blame me for not doing it?