Defense still matters if you want playoff success

Bobhaze · Sep 21, 2020

I don’t need to spend time describing how bad our defense has looked. We know. Yes, there have been injuries, but it didn’t look that great on paper when everyone was healthy.

Much of the offseason Koolaide being drunk by some of our fans centered on the idea that our offense is so good, we can out score teams in most games, and hope the defense just keeps it close enough for the offense to win 11 or 12 and win some playoff shoot outs. After all, the NFL has certainly become an offense heavy league where the rules completely favor offense.

But despite all that, the teams winning in the playoffs mostly still have some of the league’s better defenses. You have to have a respectable defense to win. Looking at last years playoff teams, that bears out:

10 of last year’s 12 playoff teams had top 15 defenses.
Even the chiefs had an underrated defense, ranking 9th last year.
The two teams in last year’s SB both had top ten defenses.
The chiefs were 5th in the league in sacks and INTs.
Turnovers and sacks are very predictive of playoff success. Teams with a combined sack/turnover amount of 50+ are historically good bets to win big in the playoffs.

I’m glad we have a good offense. But that is never enough. Apparently, Jerry loves his jersey sales more than playoff contention. Because until this organization starts really investing in some top notch young defensive talent in the draft, coupled with an occasional top FA on defense, we’re probably going to continue what we’ve been getting for a long time- a lot of 8-8 seasons.

cern · Sep 21, 2020

Lb's a huge question mark at this time. Corners look ok. Still need to see d-line dominate a game.

Bobhaze · Sep 21, 2020

cern said:
Lb's a huge question mark at this time. Corners look ok. Still need to see d-line dominate a game.

I’m very concerned about this DL. It has not proven to be able to stop the run consistently nor put much of a pass rush on. It’s early. Too early to know if this is all we're going to get from this DL, but if they don’t improve quite a bit, it’s going to be a very long season.

basel90 · Sep 22, 2020

Joe Thomas saved he day as he covered for LVE absence and helped jaylon a lot .

gimmesix · Sep 22, 2020

Bobhaze said:
I’m very concerned about this DL. It has not proven to be able to stop the run consistently nor put much of a pass rush on. It’s early. Too early to know if this is all we're going to get from this DL, but if they don’t improve quite a bit, it’s going to be a very long season.

I'm not too worried about the defense yet. Nolan has instituted a lot of change and will likely have to make adjustments over the course of the season, including figuring out the personnel fit. We know we have some capable pass rushers, it's up to him to learn the best way to use them (and that includes Gregory when he becomes eligible to play).

JoeKing · Sep 22, 2020

I am concerned about the defense however I recognize this is a new scheme being executed by a new group of guys. It's not going to be a cohesive unit until this group earns each other's trust on the field of battle. They are now more a group of individuals than a team. It takes time to develop that trust and teamwork. Practice at the Star in Frisco and game-time experience are completely two different animals. They'll get there by midseason.

Bobhaze · Sep 22, 2020

basel90 said:
Joe Thomas saved he day as he covered for LVE absence and helped jaylon a lot .

I like Joe Thomas a lot. He’s one of the most underrated players we have.

Bobhaze · Sep 22, 2020

JoeKing said:
I am concerned about the defense however I recognize this is a new scheme being executed by a new group of guys. It's not going to be a cohesive unit until this group earns each other's trust on the field of battle. They are now more a group of individuals than a team. It takes time to develop that trust and teamwork. Practice at the Star in Frisco and game-time experience are completely two different animals. They'll get there by midseason.

Joe, I think the defense will get better as the season goes on, but I still have serious doubts about its ability to be even mediocre. I hope they get better. Do I have confidence they will? No.

MyFairLady · Sep 22, 2020

Joe Thomas plays like a guy on a 1 year deal. Jaylon plays like a guy who is happy with where he is at.

pitt33 · Sep 22, 2020

Even though the season is just underway, and a new scheme is in place, this defense has all the makings of one we have witnessed for many years. This front office just doesn't put any real stock into that side of the ball and is still devoid of any play makers. I find it utterly amazing how this team cannot generate any turnovers. And let's be honest. These free agent acquisitions they sign never really amount to much when they line up.

Defense is a critical part of winning championships. This FO still can't grasp this philosophy. And if they haven't by now I'm afraid they never will.

Bobhaze · Sep 22, 2020

pitt33 said:
Even though the season is just underway, and a new scheme is in place, this defense has all the makings of one we have witnessed for many years. This front office just doesn't put any real stock into that side of the ball and is still devoid of any play makers. I find it utterly amazing how this team cannot generate any turnovers. And let's be honest. These free agent acquisitions they sign never really amount to much when they line up.

Defense is a critical part of winning championships. This FO still can't grasp this philosophy. And if they haven't by now I'm afraid they never will.

This front office never seems to learn. Jerry builds a roster like a fantasy football owner- offense, offense, offense.

Future · Sep 22, 2020

Bobhaze said:
I’m very concerned about this DL. It has not proven to be able to stop the run consistently nor put much of a pass rush on. It’s early. Too early to know if this is all we're going to get from this DL, but if they don’t improve quite a bit, it’s going to be a very long season.

People have impossible standards.

Small sample, but the Cowboys are 7th in ypa, giving up only 3.6. It's the pass defense that has been poor.

Swagger · Sep 22, 2020

Realistically we have far too much invested in the offense. This was highlighted before the season started.

A few weeks back I made a comment that the offense needed to average 30 points a game this season for us to be genuine contenders as our resources are pumped into the offense. Add in the injury to LVE then this is even more pronounced.

If the second hand car salesman had opted to kick the chip shot field goal versus the Rams then we would have averaged 30 points per game so far. We need to keep that going. The offense needs to win shoot outs where both teams score a bundle of points - this team is built that way for the offense to ball out and the defense to try and hold out as best they can.

The secondary is limited at best. Linebackers corp is patched up. We are only surviving on D because the front 7 are doing just about enough but even then we need to generate more of a pass rush - Randy Gregory step up Sir.

Hawkeye0202 · Sep 22, 2020

gimmesix said:
I'm not too worried about the defense yet. Nolan has instituted a lot of change and will likely have to make adjustments over the course of the season, including figuring out the personnel fit. We know we have some capable pass rushers, it's up to him to learn the best way to use them (and that includes Gregory when he becomes eligible to play).

Exactly..... a lot of changes on defense. As stated before, it could take 3-5 games for them to come together. This would have been a 2nd preseason game in a normal season.

ondaedg · Sep 22, 2020

basel90 said:
Joe Thomas saved he day as he covered for LVE absence and helped jaylon a lot .

Agreed. He actually played like a lb running up to the line and thumping a few times unlike Jaylon and LVE who take more finesse approaches.

ultron · Sep 22, 2020

MyFairLady said:
Joe Thomas plays like a guy on a 1 year deal. Jaylon plays like a guy who is happy with where he is at.

That’s not true, Jaylon is statistically Luke Kuechley (go look at their stats last year - they’re identical), but he can’t be ultra aggressive like he really is because he gets penalized every time he blows someone the F up (ie: the Julio play on Sunday). The league wants soft linebackers and safeties - that’s not who Jaylon is but he’s forced to play soft.

Future · Sep 22, 2020

ultron said:
That’s not true, Jaylon is statistically Luke Kuechley (go look at their stats last year - they’re identical), but he can’t be ultra aggressive like he really is because he gets penalized every time he blows someone the F up (ie: the Julio play on Sunday). The league wants soft linebackers and safeties - that’s not who Jaylon is but he’s forced to play soft.

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MyFairLady · Sep 22, 2020

Swagger said:
Realistically we have far too much invested in the offense. This was highlighted before the season started.

A few weeks back I made a comment that the offense needed to average 30 points a game this season for us to be genuine contenders as our resources are pumped into the offense. Add in the injury to LVE then this is even more pronounced.

If the second hand car salesman had opted to kick the chip shot field goal versus the Rams then we would have averaged 30 points per game so far. We need to keep that going. The offense needs to win shoot outs where both teams score a bundle of points - this team is built that way for the offense to ball out and the defense to try and hold out as best they can.

The secondary is limited at best. Linebackers corp is patched up. We are only surviving on D because the front 7 are doing just about enough but even then we need to generate more of a pass rush - Randy Gregory step up Sir.

Agree 100%. IMHO the defense has been as good as can be expected and has given us a chance to win both games. The offense has to be better than they were in game 1 and of course we had the miracle finish in game 2.

Rayman70 · Sep 22, 2020

agree. Offense may get ya to the playoffs and put fannies in the seats etc, but defense is what wins in the post season. MAYBE we can manage to improve on defense as we go. Time will tell, but I am afraid we are what we are, a great offensive team with no defense.

Rayman70 · Sep 22, 2020

basel90 said:
Joe Thomas saved he day as he covered for LVE absence and helped jaylon a lot .

Jaylon is a frontrunning fraudster. Smoke and mirrors. But yeah, your right... Thomas is our best linebacker right now and its not even close. Jaylon and LVE get all the hype, but Joe just keeps showing up and doing his job. He had a nice game Sunday.

Defense still matters if you want playoff success

Bobhaze

cern

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JoeKing

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