Not disputing that but the discussion is about the defense. The defense has played very good but it does have its flaws, namely how it starts games. And last week it couldn’t stop Miami in the 2nd half.
The offense is awful but there are multiple threads discussing it
I agree the defense has had some flaws. The secondary in general, TreDavious White in particular. He played 4 games and had 1 PD. That wasn't because teams were afraid to throw his way but of equal importance, he was never known for his tackling or willingness to contribute in run defense. Since he was benched and eventually traded, the team has gone 3-2. With White in the lineup, the defense allowed a 72.5% comp% and 8 TDs (7.8%) With White benched (and now gone) they've allowed a 60.5% comp% and 8 TDs (5.1%). They have allowed 219.8 passing yards per game in the first 4 and 219.4 in the last 5 but offenses have been less productive through the air. The biggest difference has been in the run game. 165.5 yards per game 5.0 per rush over the first 4, 97.2 yards per game, 3.6 per rush in the last 5. Certainly it's not on White, but having 1 more CB on the field willing to contribute in the run game has had to have helped somewhat.
But if you're comment "there are multiple threads on the offense" is made to suggest the offense shouldn't be mentioned in a defensive discussion, I disagree. It would be like mentioning Puka's or Kupp's or DRob's great catches without mentioning Stafford's dimes or the pass pro provided by the OL. The offense can be a part of the defensive problem and contribute to or affect their performance (to some degree). It's complementary football and when the offense goes 3 and out or turns the ball over, either on giveaways or downs, especially creating bad field position, it can stress the defense. Particularly a young defense. So I think it's fair to include the offense and their sometimes pitiful performance when discussing the defense.
For instance, they have 9 three and outs in the first quarter on 18 possessions (4 of 6, the last 2 games) including 3 games on the first possession and a 4 play 'drive' on an opening possession in another. In the 2nd quarter they have 6 three and outs on 24 possessions. That totals 15 three and outs on 42 first half possessions (more than 1 in 3). I would believe that affects the defensive performance to some degree. They are on the field far too much early in games, which can have a cumulative affect for the game. I will admit though, it's been much more fun watching the defense than the offense so there's that. More than a third of the 4th quarter possessions are 3 and outs (8 of 22) and ironically against Seattle they went 4 of 4 in the 4th quarter but we won the game anyway because the defense took the ball away from Seattle twice, once for a score and gave the O one more chance with a 4th down stop, on which the O capitalized in OT. Otherwise, we'd be looking at a 3-6 record.
On the season, the defense has forced 25 three and outs over 95 possessions. 15 of 50 in the first half, 10 of 45 in the second half. The defense has flaws but they are improving (to the eye). We have to hope the offense has a huge turnaround if we're going to get anywhere the second half of the season. I'm confident they will. It's complimentary football that has the best chance for success.
