What a ridiculously hyperbolic statement.
If we beat the team's we play, and end up in the bottom quarter of team ratings, does that mean the teams we beat didn't have "elite QB's?
Elite QB's lose plenty of games - ref. Stafford.
If he had been on a better team, he would have won more games.
Do you see what I am getting at?
Two things to consider...
First off, and more than anything else... in many of our losses last year, our offense was invisible. There were a couple of games where the defense held for 2-3 quarters, then collapsed. They were on the field too long, and were asked to do too much. The fact that our Offense is better will really help the defense. Note* Running the ball shortens the game by keeping the clock running.
Secondly... pass rush. We didn't have enough. Not even close. Adding Ingram and the projected improvement of Phillip's should help... if Tindall works out or Wilkins takes the next step, we could have a top 10 pass rush.
I agree. The defense was, with the exception of one or two games, very effective. They did run out of steam at the end of the games due to being on the field too long.
This is because playing defense is based on reaction to an offense, even when there is a defensive game plan. This gets tiring faster than offensive play.
Thats why, when an offense stays on the field longer it wears down the opponent's defense and saves its own defense keeping them fresh.
The best way to do this is:
1) Keep moving the ball and getting first downs until you score.
2) Reduce turnovers i.e., use a balanced running and passing game to "keep the opponent out of synch"
3) Don't hesitate to throw away the ball before the QB gets hit, if the QB has no running lane.
