PFF: Eagles and Commanders D ranked 4th and 5th

[Hawkeye0202]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-the-nflstop-defenses-after-week-8

TOTAL DEFENSE GRADE: 84.0
The overwhelming (and maybe only) strength of the Eagles defense is their front-4. It dictates everything they do. They’ve collected 204 total pressures as a unit – 38 more than the next best team in the NFL. The difference between them and the 2nd place Chiefs is the same as the difference between the Chiefs and the 17th place Browns. Philadelphia’s defensive line is in its own stratosphere at the moment. They have issues at other places defensively, most notably Jalen Mills’ 516 yards allowed in coverage already, but with their front four, they’ll continue to be a top-10 defense.

https://media.profootballfocus.com/2017/07/WAS-Commanders-Header.png

TOTAL DEFENSE GRADE: 80.8
There’s a reason the Commanders are 5-2 and it has everything to do with how the defense has improved. The key to the defensive turnaround hasn’t been high-priced corner Josh Norman or first-rounders Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. No, it’s two defenders in the middle of the defense that anyone could have had more a moderate price before last year. Safety D.J. Swearinger is having a career year and is PFF’s top-graded safety so far as he leads the league with four interceptions. Linebacker Zach Brown was just named an honorable mention for the Mid-Season All-Pro team and has missed only one tackle on 44 attempts this season. The scary thing is, after trading for PFF’s third-ranked safety this season Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the deadline, they could be even better over the second half.

 

[Sydla]

Ours?

17th.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

Ours?

17th.

Likely because of a lack of turnovers.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

I wanted us to sign Zach Brown so bad

 

[Sydla]

Likely because of a lack of turnovers.

And we don't get pressure on the QB.

We are middle of the pack in pressure while the Skins and Eagles are near the top.

 

[SoupcanSam]

And we don't get pressure on the QB.

We are middle of the pack in pressure while the Skins and Eagles are near the top.

Imo we have the talent, I just dont think rod....YES ROD! is creative enough as other coaches are.

Say what you want on how well rod does a decent job but we need modernized upgrades at both OC as well as DC.

 

[Sydla]

And FWIW, not that I put a ton of credit into what PFF says (I don't), but I think they (or maybe it was Football Outsiders) that the most effective blitzing team is the Cowboys.

We just don't do it a lot. That may have to change down the stretch if guys like Charlton, Gregory, and others don't start picking up the pace here.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Sadly, I agree with these PFF rankings after Week 8. The Commanders D ran all over our Oline, shut down Zeke and harassed Dak all game long. We all know how good that Eagles D already is.

 

[Hennessy_King]

And we don't get pressure on the QB.

We are middle of the pack in pressure while the Skins and Eagles are near the top.

No pressure and no turnovers this year. But people say our defense is the best. It's not there yet.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

No pressure and no turnovers this year. But people say our defense is the best. It's not there yet.

We also need to do better against pass catching RBs

 

[Sydla]

We also need to do better against pass catching RBs

Not sure what kind of value there is in that type of information.

Are RBs catching a higher percentage of balls against us because we do such a great job defending WRs? I'd much rather have RBs catching a crap ton of balls against us than WRs.

Or is the fact that we allow so many receptions to RBs because we just suck at defending screens, for example, and teams kill us with them?

Interesting numbers, but I am not sure what, if any, conclusions you can draw from these.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Not sure what kind of value there is in that type of information.

Are RBs catching a higher percentage of balls against us because we do such a great job defending WRs? I'd much rather have RBs catching a crap ton of balls against us than WRs.

Or is the fact that we allow so many receptions to RBs because we just suck at defending screens, for example, and teams kill us with them?

Interesting numbers, but I am not sure what, if any, conclusions you can draw from these.

I'll dig deeper.

We've allowed 344 passing yards to RBs on 55 targets and 46 receptions. With one TD allowed, which I believe was last week against Wash to Bibbs.

Yeah I retract my statement, 344 passing yards allowed is actually middle of the pack at 18th most.

 

[Nova]

For what it's worth -- Football Outsiders DVOA Defensive rankings:

DAL: 11th
WSH: 14th
PHI: 16th