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Miami Red Zone Defense

Fins1971

Fins1971

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What has happened to our Red Zone Defense?

Back in 2012 we were tops in the league with a 43% rate of stopping TD's (22 of 54)
Then in 2013 we slipped to 5th in league with a 46% rate of stopping TD's (26 of 56)
This year we are tied for 19th-20th with a 59% rate of stopping TD's (10 of 17)
This would project out for the year at (32 of 54) 10 more TD's allowed than in 2012. That is a huge difference.
This has affected our defensive scoring rank. 2012-7th, 2013-8th, 2014-22nd

In the Packer game we allowed 3 of 5 (60%) 3 TD's and 2 FG's which accounted for all 27 points
If we had held in the red zone like our previous years they would have scored 2 TD's and 3 FG's (23 Points) and we probably win the game.

My thought is that we really miss Carlos Dansby in those goal line situations. And our Linebacker play has been sub-par this year.
We just don't seem to have anyone who can make a critical stop when backed up at our goal line.
 
This is a Red Zone league and it has to get better.
 
I don't think not having Dansby is the issue. I think having Philip Wheeler is the issue. The defense is giving up a lot of points this year...almost 25 a game I think. Every team we've faced, with the exception of the opener against New England, has scored above their scoring average on us. Even Oakland who was averaging 12.3 ppg before scoring 14 on us. Oakland is also the only team we've held under 20 points.
 
datruth55 said:
The defense is giving up a lot of points this year...almost 25 a game I think.
Click to expand...

The increased scoring is because of the poor red zone defense. In yardage allowed we are ranked 7th, and yards per play 2nd.
We should be allowing a lot less points but can't get critical stops like in the past.
 
It has to get better, but I think its a personnel problem when it comes to the red zone. We have LB issues especially in coverage with Wheeler and Trusnick. Misi has had those problems in the past as well but he hasn't really played until GB. Then add in the fact that we have small corners as well. Its tough sledding down there
 
Our Red Zone offensive rating has also dropped this year in percentage and ranking. Here are the last 3 years

Back in 2012 we were 11th in the league with a 55% rate of scoring TD's (21 of 38)
Then in 2013 we were 11th in the league with a 57% rate of scoring TD's (26 of 46)
This year we are 22nd with a 54% rate of scoring TD's (12 of 22)

A couple interesting notes.

In 2012 and 2013 combined we only scored 1 less Red Zone TD than allowed despite have to face 36 more red zone attempts on defense. That is pretty amazing. We were terrible at getting to the Red Zone on offense but scored when we did get there. On the flip side we forced FG's more often than not on Defense.

In 2014 despite our poor defensive percentage we have still scored 2 more Red Zone TD's than allowed. This has a lot to do with the 7 times (league leading) the defense and special teams have setup the offense in the red zone to start the drive.

With 12 Red Zone TD's in 5 games we are on pace to score 38 Red Zone TD's for the season. I don't expect that to last as the short fields provided by special teams and D can't keep happening at the current rate.

The flip side of that stat is that we can't seem to score from outside the red zone. No big plays.
 
Bump,

The Defense has buckled down in the red zone over the last 3 games, They have held opponents to 1 for 5 in the red zone during those 3 games and only allowed 2 total TD's
1 for 5 (20%) is the best over that 3 game period in the league.

On the season we are now 13 TD's allowed in 26 red zone defenses. That 50% rate has moved us up to 8th best in the league.

Now we just need to get out offensive red zone issue corrected.

---------- Post added at 11:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 AM ----------
hooshoops said:
little secret the defense is just not that good...
Click to expand...

Would you like to retract that statement?
 
After reading the OP I was like wtf? Then checked the date on the post. Having Trusnick and Wilson in the middle made us soft early on, and Reid smartly attacked that part of the field.

Its going to be interesting to see how we play vs the Broncos. My plan would be to just say **** it and force Manning to beat us deep, if he does it he does it, but I would absolutely not allow him to shred us underneath. Make their drives short one way or the other and try to keep their defense on the field.

But we should enjoy the great stats while we can, because they are about to nose dive...
 
Maybe the new league rules that make it more difficult to defend the pass without being flagged has a part to play.


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roy_miami said:
After reading the OP I was like wtf? Then checked the date on the post. Having Trusnick and Wilson in the middle made us soft early on, and Reid smartly attacked that part of the field.

Its going to be interesting to see how we play vs the Broncos. My plan would be to just say **** it and force Manning to beat us deep, if he does it he does it, but I would absolutely not allow him to shred us underneath. Make their drives short one way or the other and try to keep their defense on the field.

But we should enjoy the great stats while we can, because they are about to nose dive...
Click to expand...

Actually maybe not.
Our red zone defense in away games is the best in the league at 35.7%
At home we are 66%.
Strange that there is such a big difference.
The next 2 games are on the road so we shall see if we can keep it up on the road
 
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