Is our defense good enough to win a super bowl?

[Stryker]

Our running D definitely improved from the first 5 weeks. And it's not because teams were playing catchup to our overpowering offense (which rarely had a 2 score lead -even in the 6TD game vs the colts, the game was contested through the 4th). It's a simple fact that our run D stopped letting up 5-8yds a clip on first downs. That was a HUGE improvement and a liability in September. If every team could have gotten that production on first down, they'd take it. Most of our games were close nail biters other than the Ravens game and Carolina game (which didn't open up until the 4th Qtr).

Improvement was there, and I won't be arguing against this D until I see them play again as a unit.

 

[fogdoctor]

Our running D definitely improved from the first 5 weeks.

Cle: 6.2 ypc
Ravens: 4.4
Car: 4.2
Tamp: 3.3
Jax: 3.7

NO: 5.5ypc
Cincy: 4.1
Atlanta: 4.9
KC: 2.8 (only 14 attempts)
Cincy: 4.0

We were just as bad.

 

[SteelerFan448]

The inability to rush the quarterback is bad, but when combined with a poor rush defense, it spells zero chance for the pass d.

 

[Vader]

I see no way the defense is better this year. They have no depth at OLB and the secondary is a bunch of nobodies with nobody even knowing who the starting SS is right now. Yes, Tuitt maybe better but other teams have players that are getting better as well. They have depth at ILB but they can only play 2 at a time. Timmons and Shazier are your starters. But they have nothing on the outside unless Jones and Moats can stay healthy and produce. And that's a big if.

Last year the defense was burned by borderline QBs like Glennon. When they played good QBs like Brees and Luck they were absolutely destroyed. This year they get teams that are more balanced. No Jets, TB and Atlanta this year.

 

[spencelisberger13]

We have an absolutely brutal schedule this year, the addition of Bud Dupree should help this defense even if he starts of as the 3rd down rush specialist. Next we need to draft a corner or 2 and get some kind of athletic TE for Ben in the RZ to add alongside Martavius, Bell and Brown. Schedule aside, hoping this team plays up to the schedule as they've done in the past and surprises not only us but the rest of the league.