Why does our defense look so bad?

[Shake n Blake]

2016 ranking:

8th in points allowed
17th in yards allowed

Despite the 8th most pass attempts by opponents, we ranked...

11th in pass yards allowed
11th fewest pass TDs allowed
4th most INTs
5th best passer rating allowed
5th in yards per attempt allowed
19th most sacks

We did have some struggles against the run...

21st in rush yards allowed
23rd in YPA allowed
13th in rush TDs allowed

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We were better in 2015...

2nd in points allowed
11th in yards allowed

Despite the 2nd most pass attempts by opponents, we ranked...

20th in pass yards allowed
2nd fewest pass TDs allowed
3rd most INTs
5th best passer rating allowed
4th in yards per attempt allowed
9th most sacks

Against the run...

7th in rush yards allowed
22nd in YPA allowed
6th in rush TDs allowed

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Now looking over all of this, we've had a very solid defense. Not exactly the 2000 Ravens, but we've been outstanding against the pass, and excellent at keeping teams from scoring. So I don't think Guenther deserves all the criticism he's received, and I'm not sweating the preseason much. That said, there are things we need to improve on...

1. Pressure/Sacks. We ranked 19th last year, 9th in 2015 and dead last in 2014. This needs to get better.

2. Run defense. We have an average ranking of 21st in YPA allowed and 16th in yards allowed during Guenther's tenure.

3. Fumble recoveries. Some may laugh this off, but you shouldn't. We've ranked 27th or worse in the last 3 years, and it really hurts us in the overall turnovers category. Last year we had the 4th most INTs in the league, but finished only 19th in total turnovers forced. Why? We were dead last in the NFL with a measly 3 fumble recoveries. I'm not sure why this is, but it's definitely a trend.