The sustainability of this defense...

[*ochocincos*]

(11-07-2023, 11:00 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: I can't say I'm "worried" about this defense, but I think it's worth talking about.

This defense has been good, but they haven't been "good" in the traditional sense. A BIG part of why they are good is because of turnovers, and red zone turnovers at that.

They are currently in the bottom 5 of the league in pass and rush yards given up per game. They are also in the bottom 1/4 of the league in total yards given up per game. Statistically, they aren't as good as they were last year where they hovered right around league average in yards given up per game.

Now they are only giving up 20 points per game this year compared to 20 last year, so that is about the same. The big reason for giving up such a low number of points is because of those red zone turnovers, though.  

I am just wondering how sustainable this "bend don't break" style of defense is going to be. IMO -a lot of those red zone turnovers are as much luck as they are "players making plays". I just hope we can tighten up our defense overall and not have to rely on turnovers to stop teams from scoring...because it will eventually catch up.

Strikingly similar to the 2005 defense.
2005 - 28th in total yards allowed, 29th in net pass yards per attempt allowed, 27th in rush yards per attempt allowed
2023 - 30th in total yards allowed, 29th in net pass yards per attempt allowed, 31st in rush yards per attempt allowed

The timely turnovers and sacks are what's keeping them average in points allowed (16th).