(10-04-2017, 07:30 AM)imtheblkranger Wrote: We fix that run defense to just middle of the road and we're a shut down defense.

Though if we're going to be good somewhere and struggle somewhere, I'd rather it be the way it is now.

We are not close to being a shut down defense until we are just as good against the run as we currently are against the pass.

(10-04-2017, 08:36 AM)Upper Wrote: As great as this is, it's fair to question the legitimacy of the sample thus far. We did great against 3 cellar dweller offensive lines/QBs and the one good offense we played manhandled our d-line. The Steelers also very good o-line will be a huge test that will help provide a much more balanced picture.

No team with an OL that bad can score 57 points against a team with a very good DL. That leaves us with two basement OLs - if you can prove the one in Baltimore is that bad. I am not so sure it is because Cincinnati's problems are on offense.

(10-04-2017, 09:49 AM)Upper Wrote:

(10-04-2017, 09:32 AM)Tyler1Reformed Wrote: That's how the schedule draw works. Doesn't matter who it's against, it's 1/4 of the season so it's legit numbers no matter how you look at it. The defense is coming to play every game and I would hate to be in their mind as they work and work each game and see Bortles drop duds when realistically we should be at least 3-1 if not 4-0.

But...that's not true at all. Opponent absolutely matters, 1/4 of the season isn't a great sample size, and "should be 3-1 if not 4-0" is completely unrelated to potential legitimacy and more importantly future performance in sacks/takeaways.

Opponents "absolutely" matter in college, not the NFL. The Browns almost beat the Steelers. What does that tell you?

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