Have the Patriots ever had a good defense?

Watching the patriots the last couple year they always seem to have a pretty good offense, but a really bad defense that gives up a ton of yards, and big plays. Also a defense that can never get the stops when needed on a consistent basis, basically not a championship defense. So what I'm saying has a patriot defense ever been one of the top stingiest defenses? Like the steelers jets ravens always have a great championship defense. Or does Bill Belichick not usually produce good defenses??