A defensive stat that may surprise you

[Aven8]

Only other defensive stats I care about them improving are turnovers, 3rd down percentage and sacks. Extremely pleased with their ranking in points allowed.

We are +2 right now, thank you Dak! Only had 3 fumbles so far! Need to get more picks and cause more however. I think a lot of that right now is other teams possessions as they haven't had many.

 

[Doomsday101]

The one thing that amazed me this past game is for 3 and a half qrts Cinn was unable to reach the Dallas redzone. It was not until the game was in hand that Cinn made it to the Dallas 20.

 

[skinsscalper]

They only play well against us I guess!!

They caught two rookies in their first game and got a gift from a bone-headed Twill. If that is played next week, we win by 2 TDs+. You'll see when we face them again. It's going to be a bloodbath.

 

[plasticman]

The defense is improving every week. In one offseason Claiborne has been transformed from bust to beast. Safety play is strong. The LB's are playing well. The D-line is playing better and Lawrence is disruptive from his first snap.

 

[Zman5]

Pretty impressive considering the fact that we've faced:

OBJ
Cruz
Shepard
D Jackson
Reed
Garcon
Vernon
Green
Lafell

(Though no notable backs or rushing attacks, so far)

You missed A. Jefferyhttp://www.chicagobears.com/team/roster/Alshon-Jeffery/6fea3d66-4261-478a-be3a-a4478fd73aaf

 

[skinsscalper]

You missed A. Jeffery

Good catch. Eddie Royal is no slouch, either.

 

[windjc]

Well, from year to year, players improve or get worse. Even with the exact same cast you can get signiaficantly better or worse results based on injuries, chemistry, off season progress/digress, etc.

Claiborne and Jones and Wilcox are playing better. Lee has been injury free and consistent. Collins and Thornton have added talent. McClain is injury free and playing at his highest level ever. Lawrence looks to be at similar form to 2nd half of last year, but we still need to see. We got rid of cancers in McClain and Hardy. Brown is a rookie playing like a 1st or 2nd round pick. And overall, the confidence is higher than last year as a group.

So it might not logically seem like we could be a good defense, and I am not saying we are a top 10 defense, but it is a possibility that is what we are or are becoming as the year moves forward.

 

[NextGenBoys]

We're also 8th in points allowed per game

 

[Little Jr]

I defended the d the 1st 3 games this year and just gave up because the same crowd just won't give the credit. As soon as the D has that game where they don't preform well they'll be in here banging their chest saying they told us so. I predicted the D and this team would be very similar to the 2014 d and team. So far they're pretty close.

 

[drawandstrike]

Best stat to me is 8th in points allowed.

Yes, this defense is actually climbing up the rankings in the 1 defense stat that matters to me the most: points allowed. They were 10th. After we held Cincy to only 14 pts, we moved up two spots to #8.

Wait, NFL.com actually has us at #9:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...eStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&qualified=false

Still a top 10 defense in points allowed.

 

[Aven8]

Yes, this defense is actually climbing up the rankings in the 1 defense stat that matters to me the most: points allowed. They were 10th. After we held Cincy to only 14 pts, we moved up two spots to #8.

Could have been actually better if not for the give up TD's at the end. The yard allowed are also a mirage as both Cincy and Chicago were playing catch up and throwing every down.

 

[Doomsday101]

I defended the d the 1st 3 games this year and just gave up because the same crowd just won't give the credit. As soon as the D has that game where they don't preform well they'll be in here banging their chest saying they told us so. I predicted the D and this team would be very similar to the 2014 d and team. So far they're pretty close.

I agree. I think 1st thing is being realistic. This is not the Denver defense that won the SB last year or the defense I am seeing in Minn. I think this defense can be a good defense but still lacking a consistent pass rush and tends to get caught at times in stunts and allow big runs. I do agree this defense right now compares favorably to that of 2014 but then I hope this defense will be better as the season moves forward. Remember it was the 2014 defense who could not slow down Rodgers even with a gimpy leg.

 

[Little Jr]

I agree. I think 1st thing is being realistic. This is not the Denver defense that won the SB last year or the defense I am seeing in Minn. I think this defense can be a good defense but still lacking a consistent pass rush and tends to get caught at times in stunts and allow big runs. I do agree this defense right now compares favorably to that of 2014 but then I hope this defense will be better as the season moves forward. Remember it was the 2014 defense who could not slow down Rodgers even with a gimpy leg.

I agree. I put most of the GB loss 2 years ago on the D. They're a above avg D with this offense. With a bad offense they would be exposed. But we don't have a bad offense so I'm not worried about them. I'm sure there will be a game or 2 where they'll be exposed. Overall they have played well and I don't understand the negative Nancy's lol.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree. I put most of the GB loss 2 years ago on the D. They're a above avg D with this offense. With a bad offense they would be exposed. But we don't have a bad offense so I'm not worried about them. I'm sure there will be a game or 2 where they'll be exposed. Overall they have played well and I don't understand the negative Nancy's lol.

They have played well and I think they are showing improvement but the reason I brought up 2014 defense was because even with the Cowboys offense the defense was unable to come up with big stops. My hope is this defense continues to improve and while offense is a big help sooner or later you have to hold your own as a unit. vs Cinn they did that they played a great game. This week we play a dangerous offense in GB and this defense will be put under pressure to perform.

I don't feel I am being negative frankly the 1990 Cowboys had a great offense and a decent defense but it took brining in Haley in 91 to turn that defense into something special. I just do not think offense can completely hide or protect the defense especially when you hit post season where a teams weakness always comes back to bite them.

 

[drawandstrike]

The addition of Lawrence to the D line made every player a step better...it was amazing watching the difference.

Anthony Brown has been incredible replacing Scandrick....not is he playing the pass, but he has made several big stops in the run game. Can't fathom how he was available so late and I don't think he had any baggage that caused him to drop.

Hopefully with Nzeocha and Scandrick about ready to play and we should get Irving back this defense can continue to get better. Rigfht now they are much better than that 2014 defense and the offense is playing at least as well.

A lot of people have been saying there is no way we can make a run this year because the defense isn't very good. I think people's minds are going to start changing.

Brown made Bernard look foolish when the RB tried a weak body block instead of blocking him head on, and had a tackle for loss on this play.

 

[Little Jr]

They have played well and I think they are showing improvement but the reason I brought up 2014 defense was because even with the Cowboys offense the defense was unable to come up with big stops. My hope is this defense continues to improve and while offense is a big help sooner or later you have to hold your own as a unit. vs Cinn they did that they played a great game. This week we play a dangerous offense in GB and this defense will be put under pressure to perform.

I don't feel I am being negative frankly the 1990 Cowboys had a great offense and a decent defense but it took brining in Haley in 91 to turn that defense into something special. I just do not think offense can completely hide or protect the defense especially when you hit post season where a teams weakness always comes back to bite them.

I don't think any of that is negative. I agree with it all.

 

[percyhoward]

We're 8th in points allowed but 13th in points per drive, which adjusts for the offense limiting drives. So the offense is essentially accounting for the difference in ranking under these two metrics. You could make the argument that Zeke and Dak have done more to improve the defense than any two defensive players we could have selected in rounds 1 & 2 as they are helping to limit the opponents offensive possessions.

Remember, when you limit the opponent's drives, you also limit your own. It's still early, but I'm more interested in the move up from 17th from 13th, because that's actually a real defensive improvement instead of a cosmetic one.

 

[drawandstrike]

Remember, when you limit the opponent's drives, you also limit your own. It's still early, but I'm more interested in the move up from 17th from 13th, because that's actually a real defensive improvement instead of a cosmetic one.

You'd better have a high powered offense that can make the most of it's limited possessions if you are going for a TOP game plan strategy.

You'd better hope your team scores enough on it's first 4 possessions to, say, be up 21-0 at half time. And 28-0 when that 4th quarter starts.

Oh wait....

 

[percyhoward]

You'd better have a high powered offense that can make the most of it's limited possessions if you are going for a TOP game plan strategy.

You'd better hope your team scores enough on it's first 4 possessions to, say, be up 21-0 at half time. And 28-0 when that 4th quarter starts.

Oh wait....

We had a high-powered offense in 2014 too, but the divisional round in Green Bay reminded us that ball control can only help your defense up to a certain point. Beyond that point, you actually have to play good defense.

 

[Jstopper]

Yes, this defense is actually climbing up the rankings in the 1 defense stat that matters to me the most: points allowed. They were 10th. After we held Cincy to only 14 pts, we moved up two spots to #8.

Wait, NFL.com actually has us at #9:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...eStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&qualified=false

Still a top 10 defense in points allowed.

Nah we are #8. Look at #5 on that list