Is the defense actually better?

[Kevinicus]

Our defense is about the same as it was last year. The different is the less injuries (slight difference) and the run game of our offense. What the run game is doing is one keeping our defense fresh and it helps them sustain drives. If people remember early last year esp before they got all banged up they were getting a ton of turnovers and stops, problem was our offense wasn't turning them in to touchdowns and sometimes gave the ball right back because the offense would stall out. Perfect examples the first Giants game, the Denver game and my favorite that packers game. Those games the defense played well enough for the Cowboys to win but it was the offense that kinda let them down by not capitalizing on turnovers or stops they were given. How can you blame the defense when they gave you 5 turnovers or pitched a shut out in the first half? With people of defense dropping like flies and the offense stalling at key times it made the defense look worst than what it really was.

You didn't really use the Denver game as an example of the defense making stops and the offense not turning it into TDs, did you?

 

[locked&loaded]

The defense "appears" better because it has been better, not because of some statistical illusion. The defense has faced fewer plays in large part because it has been better at stopping the opponent and getting the ball back. We're 16th in third-down defense -- last year, we were 29th. We're ninth in lowest opponent's time of possession per possession -- last year, we were 21st. We're eighth in fewest opponent plays per possession -- last year, we were 28th.

Our defense has been among the top 10 in getting itself off the field quickly, forcing turnovers and preventing the opponent from scoring. It's not simply benefiting from an offense that has vastly improved its ability to convert on third downs and maintain possession.

Out of curiosity, weren't you the guy saying last year running the ball well doesn't win you games or something like that...

 

[Idgit]

Out of curiosity, weren't you the guy saying last year running the ball well doesn't win you games or something like that...

Running the ball effectively don't correlate strongly with winning NFL games, and it's true. Passing effectively does. Which statistically still appears to be the case if you look at our rushing efficiency, passing efficiency, and won-loss record this season. The game we lost we lost because we passed ineffectively, while we've run well across the board.

 

[conner01]

statistically they are not really any better at all. effectively they are better because we are getting teams off the field. stas can be misleading in that you can give up the same yards in two games but have very different outcomes

 

[dmq]

Spencer is making this defense better. I expect Lawrence will do the same. Not sure if Brent is an upgrade.

 

[Idgit]

statistically they are not really any better at all. effectively they are better because we are getting teams off the field. stas can be misleading in that you can give up the same yards in two games but have very different outcomes

Like anything, it all depends on which statistics you look at. This thread is evidence of a number of ways they actually are better statistically.

 

[Idgit]

Spencer is making this defense better. I expect Lawrence will do the same. Not sure if Brent is an upgrade.

They're talking about moving Mincey inside on passing downs once Lawrence is in the lineup, and Mincey is reportedly pretty high on what Lawrence is able to do for the DL. Really looking forward to seeing that rookie settle in and get some reps. If it happens while Spencer continues to ramp up, it should be fun to watch the DL rotation here at the end of the season.

 

[NickZepp]

The defense wouldn't have held Seattle to 200 total yards last year.

 

[crashintonickdm]

they are playing smarter and much harder. i was amazed at what i saw on sunday.

 

[NickZepp]

The only stat that matters is points allowed. Last year through the first 6 games the defense allowed 23 points per game through 6 weeks. 3 games of 30+

This year it's at just over 18 points and 1 game of 30+

If we didn't have the 4 turnovers in game one the average would probably have been far less.

 

[percyhoward]

The simple fact that the offense is now extending drives, eating more time off the clock, winning the time of possession battle. Reducing the number of drives a team has. All that helps a defense.

Yes, if you reduce the number of drives the defense has to face, then the opponent's time of possession goes down, along with their plays, and hence their yards and points. Best defense is a good, ball-control offense, etc...

But that's per game, not per drive. Which is why we're looking at drive stats.

The only way to get better defensive stats per drive is to play better defense.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yes, if you reduce the number of drives the defense has to face, then the opponent's time of possession goes down, along with their plays, and hence their yards and points. Best defense is a good, ball-control offense, etc...

But that's per game, not per drive. Which is why we're looking at drive stats.

The only way to get better defensive stats per drive is to play better defense.

I don't disagree with that but the defense still has to stop the opposing team. When Seahawks have a 3rd and 4 and get stopped that goes a long way in also helping control the clock. Seahawks TOP goes way up if they are being more successful on 3rd down instead defense holds them to 5 or 13. Fact is Seahawks themselves are a ball control team and frankly Dallas out played them offense and defense.

 

[BlindFaith]

Yes, if you reduce the number of drives the defense has to face, then the opponent's time of possession goes down, along with their plays, and hence their yards and points. Best defense is a good, ball-control offense, etc...

But that's per game, not per drive. Which is why we're looking at drive stats.

The only way to get better defensive stats per drive is to play better defense.

And not having to be on the field as much allows you to play better, potentially. For the reasons I mentioned.

 

[Doomsday101]

And not having to be on the field as much allows you to play better, potentially. For the reasons I mentioned.

Sure it does but defense still has to go out and make stops and this defense has done that. They have stepped up at critical times. Seahawks get the turnover after tying the game with momentum in our redzone and defense holds forcing the FG this defense is out playing what last year’s unit did they step up when we need it not fold like a cheap suite as they often did last year.

 

[spook930]

You didn't really use the Denver game as an example of the defense making stops and the offense not turning it into TDs, did you?

Yup... It was a lot of points scored and we needed more to win. If they would have did a little bit better it wouldnt have come down to the last drive for us. Anytime you defense stop Peyton you have to cash out.

 

[Galian Beast]

We're on pace for 94 pass deflections this year and 19 interceptions. Compared to 64 and 15 last year.

Our defensive quarterback rating is 83.8 versus 96 last year.

People need to stop looking at yards, especially when your defense is a bend but don't break style defense.

 

[percyhoward]

you are not factoring in that our D this year is more rested during the game.

I'm considering it, which is why I say the defense only deserves "most" of the credit. I think some are overstating it.

If merely increasing the offense's time of possession had this much effect on a defense, then you'd see this effect across the league on a yearly basis.

 

[BlindFaith]

Sure it does but defense still has to go out and make stops and this defense has done that. They have stepped up at critical times. Seahawks get the turnover after tying the game with momentum in our redzone and defense holds forcing the FG this defense is out playing what last year’s unit did they step up when we need it not fold like a cheap suite as they often did last year.

Not disagreeing with you. It's a combination of reasons why the defense is playing better.

Our talent now is better than what we were playing with the second half of last year.
This is the second year in the scheme.
Offense is controlling time of possession.
Defensive players are playing hard, making tackles, gang tackling, playing sound.

 

[percyhoward]

And not having to be on the field as much allows you to play better, potentially. For the reasons I mentioned.

Not this much better though. We're not talking about "things that can make a defense better," so much as "why is this defense so much better?" The reasons you mentioned don't fully answer that question.

 

[Doomsday101]

Not disagreeing with you. It's a combination of reasons why the defense is playing better.

Our talent now is better than what we were playing with the second half of last year.
This is the second year in the scheme.
Offense is controlling time of possession.
Defensive players are playing hard, making tackles, gang tackling, playing sound.

I think being able to put the same guys out there for the most part week to week guys getting training camp together have been a big help as well. I know during the off season when I said I felt this defense would be much better than the disaster from last season people thought I was crazy