Top 10 D with Sean Lee

[GhostOfPelluer]

With Sean Lee we are a top 10 defense. In the six games he's played we give up 80 ypg rushing, 227 ypg passing for a total of 307 ypg. That would rank us sixth in the league. The 18 ppg we have given up with him in the lineup is fifth in the league.

Those stats include the beat down by Denver.

Without that statistical outlier we would be giving up 13.2 ppg, which would lead the league. We would be giving up 60.8 rushing ypg which would lead the league. We would be giving up 292.6 total ypg, which would still be sixth in the league.

I know you can't just dismiss the Denver game and you really can't dismiss the GB and Rams games either since they might be the two best offenses we've played to this point (although the Chiefs are in that discussion).

The point is this defense makes us a contender as currently constructed. And we all know what the offense brings to the table, regardless of how you feel about Dez Bryant.

Just need Lee to stay healthy.

 

[DogFace]

With Sean Lee we are a top 10 defense. In the six games he's played we give up 80 ypg rushing, 227 ypg passing for a total of 307 ypg. That would rank us sixth in the league. The 18 ppg we have given up with him in the lineup is fifth in the league.

Those stats include the beat down by Denver.

Without that statistical outlier we would be giving up 13.2 ppg, which would lead the league. We would be giving up 60.8 rushing ypg which would lead the league. We would be giving up 292.6 total ypg, which would still be sixth in the league.

I know you can't just dismiss the Denver game and you really can't dismiss the GB and Rams games either since they might be the two best offenses we've played to this point (although the Chiefs are in that discussion).

The point is this defense makes us a contender as currently constructed. And we all know what the offense brings to the table, regardless of how you feel about Dez Bryant.

Just need Lee to stay healthy.

This is an excellent post that deserves a bump and discussion.

The D isn’t just better it’s much better. (As long as Lee plays)

 

[VACowboy]

Makes me think we need to be looking seriously at linebackers in April.

 

[robjay04]

The PPG is actually under 16, I read, if you take away the Denver pick 6

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Makes me think we need to be looking seriously at linebackers in April.

No question. Probably the thinnest unit on the team, even assuming that Jaylon pans out.

 

[Sydla]

The PPG is actually under 16, I read, if you take away the Denver pick 6

Then you have to adjust for every team to get a proper ranking.

 

[Sydla]

Where would they be in points per drive if you make the adjustments you made?

That's a more telling defensive stat than yards per game and points per game, which can be influenced by how efficient your offense is.

 

[LoneStarDawg]

I don’t think there is any question we win at least one more (Green Bay) had he been healthy all season.

 

[CATCH17]

I love the way the defense is playing but they still don't have my confidence even with Lee out there.

The best thing we have going for us is no Aaron Rodgers. That guy annihilates our defense.

I'm still worried about the run defense and this week will be a great test.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Where would they be in points per drive if you make the adjustments you made?

That's a more telling defensive stat than yards per game and points per game, which can be influenced by how efficient your offense is.

Have no problem with this point. But given that our offense usually is that efficient, my point that we are a contender with this defense isn't unfounded. Incomplete as it may be, PPG and YPG are how most measure defenses historically and I'd argue presently.

 

[IheartRomo]

I don’t think there is any question we win at least one more (Green Bay) had he been healthy all season.

This is an absolute no brainer. I've been trumpeting this since those 2 losses and, in typical Zone fashion, was shunned as a pariah.

It's simply the truth though. We almost certainly win 1 of those 2 games and it's entirely possible if not likely we win both. The run defense was so putrid without Lee on the field and with Jaylon playing most snaps it's almost hard to believe that it was an NFL defense. Nary a hand was placed on a RB until he reached the safeties in either game.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

I love the way the defense is playing but they still don't have my confidence even with Lee out there.

The best thing we have going for us is no Aaron Rodgers. That guy annihilates our defense.

I'm still worried about the run defense and this week will be a great test.

I think your skepticism comes naturally. Our defense hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt yet. Still a small sample size.

 

[LoneStarDawg]

This is an absolute no brainer. I've been trumpeting this since those 2 losses and, in typical Zone fashion, was shunned as a pariah.

It's simply the truth though. We almost certainly win 1 of those 2 games and it's entirely possible if not likely we win both. The run defense was so putrid without Lee on the field and with Jaylon playing most snaps it's almost hard to believe that it was an NFL defense.

I don’t mind being shunned when I know I’m right! Ha!

 

[gimmesix]

With Sean Lee we are a top 10 defense. In the six games he's played we give up 80 ypg rushing, 227 ypg passing for a total of 307 ypg. That would rank us sixth in the league. The 18 ppg we have given up with him in the lineup is fifth in the league.

Those stats include the beat down by Denver.

Without that statistical outlier we would be giving up 13.2 ppg, which would lead the league. We would be giving up 60.8 rushing ypg which would lead the league. We would be giving up 292.6 total ypg, which would still be sixth in the league.

I know you can't just dismiss the Denver game and you really can't dismiss the GB and Rams games either since they might be the two best offenses we've played to this point (although the Chiefs are in that discussion).

The point is this defense makes us a contender as currently constructed. And we all know what the offense brings to the table, regardless of how you feel about Dez Bryant.

Just need Lee to stay healthy.

I'm still in wait-and-see mode. Kansas City made me feel pretty good about the defense, because the Chiefs are averaging 28 points per game, but three of the offenses that we've built this "top-10" defense against are averaging in the teens (San Francisco, New York, Arizona).

Our trouble last year wasn't that we couldn't beat up on the so-so offenses. We couldn't limit a really good one when we got to the playoffs. After Atlanta and Philadelphia, I think we'll have a true picture of where this defense belongs.

 

[robjay04]

I love the way the defense is playing but they still don't have my confidence even with Lee out there.

The best thing we have going for us is no Aaron Rodgers. That guy annihilates our defense.

I'm still worried about the run defense and this week will be a great test.

Only thing that is giving me some hope is our pass rush. In years past when our defense was okay...our lack of pass rush always came back to haunt us.

As for our rushing defense?

I’m not overly worried. Teams can’t focus on the run against us as long as our offense continues being efficient. I think our rushing defense could’ve been bad last season if teams tested us but they couldn’t sit there and run the ball when we were scoring nearly every drive.

 

[CowboyRoy]

With Sean Lee we are a top 10 defense. In the six games he's played we give up 80 ypg rushing, 227 ypg passing for a total of 307 ypg. That would rank us sixth in the league. The 18 ppg we have given up with him in the lineup is fifth in the league.

Those stats include the beat down by Denver.

Without that statistical outlier we would be giving up 13.2 ppg, which would lead the league. We would be giving up 60.8 rushing ypg which would lead the league. We would be giving up 292.6 total ypg, which would still be sixth in the league.

I know you can't just dismiss the Denver game and you really can't dismiss the GB and Rams games either since they might be the two best offenses we've played to this point (although the Chiefs are in that discussion).

The point is this defense makes us a contender as currently constructed. And we all know what the offense brings to the table, regardless of how you feel about Dez Bryant.

Just need Lee to stay healthy.

Lee is the key for sure. Without him this team has problems stopping the run. With Lee, the newfound pass rush there is no reason why this team shouldnt be top 10 defense.

 

[Ken]

Then you have to adjust for every team to get a proper ranking.

I don't know why they don't...it is stupid to include those in the defensive PPG average.

 

[Sydla]

I'm still in wait-and-see mode. Kansas City made me feel pretty good about the defense, because the Chiefs are averaging 28 points per game, but three of the offenses that we've built this "top-10" defense against are averaging in the teens (San Francisco, New York, Arizona).

Our trouble last year wasn't that we couldn't beat up on the so-so offenses. We couldn't limit a really good one when we got to the playoffs. After Atlanta and Philadelphia, I think we'll have a true picture of where this defense belongs.

Yeah, you get me through the Falcons (granted, they aren't exactly hitting on all cylinders offensively) and Philly and this defense is playing like the did against KC, then I will start to be a believer.

 

[CATCH17]

Only thing that is giving me some hope is our pass rush. In years past when our defense was okay...our lack of pass rush always came back to haunt us.

As for our rushing defense?

I’m not overly worried. Teams can’t focus on the run against us as long as our offense continues being efficient. I think our rushing defense could’ve been bad last season if teams tested us but they couldn’t sit there and run the ball when we were scoring nearly every drive.

Our defense has been pretty good at not getting completely exposed in the past except for when we played Aaron Rodgers..

This year though.. If you can run on us it's over for our defense. All 3 losses we have gotten smashed on the ground.

We were #1 a year ago against the run and this year has been a joke.

 

[Bullflop]

It's amazing what a difference it makes with Lee and Hitchens back in action.

Jaylon Smith is even playing significantly better with far less reps to manage.