(09-10-2019, 04:22 PM)MoJagFan Wrote:

(09-10-2019, 04:01 PM)Section105Fan Wrote: We’ve sunk a boatload of money on this defense. Last year it was ranked in the top 5 in several categories, but it didn’t impress me as a top 5 defense. In too many cases, they couldn’t get off the field on third down. I’m not sure that I believe it’s better to have a top 5 defense, or a top 5 offense. It’s almost impossible to have both simultaneously. I  listened to a podcast last week from a Kansas City site , where they acknowledged  that KC needed to improve their defense, which was near the bottom of the league in 2018. They thought that if they could be in the middle of the defensive rankings they’d be a lock to win the Super Bowl, given that they have one of the best offenses in the NFL.  I just don’t think it works the other way around.........top 5 defense, middle of the road offense. Once you land a generational QB like Mahoney, you need to build the offense around him, even if it means settling for a middle of the road defense. I realize a lot of other factors come into play, such as top quality coaches, but in general, I’d rather build a great offense than a great defense.

Well when you have a top flight offense, all the rules are slanted in your favor and you will get the calls.  The officiating gets moved to support your top offense.  The NFL would prefer defense cease to exist.  And a top 5 defense won't get you much anymore.  There will be a point in the game where a PI, Taunting, Defensive Holding or some other hankie will bite you and flip the field on your top defense.

(Emphasis added)

Regarding the rules, I agree.  They have shifted way too far towards the offense.

That said, I still disagree with the idea a top defense won't get you much anymore.

Last year, the Patriots had the 7th best defense in scoring (not far from the top 5) and won the Super Bowl.

In 2017, the Eagles, who had the 4th best defense in yards and scoring, won the Super Bowl.

In 2016, the Patriots were #1 in scoring defense and won the Super Bowl.

In 2015, the Broncos won the Super bowl with a defense that was #4 in scoring and #1 in yards.

In 2014, the Patriots won the Super bowl with the #8 scoring defense, over the team with the #1 scoring defense, Seattle.

In 2013, the Seahawks won the Super Bowl with the #1 scoring defense.

Baltimore beat the 49ers (#2 scoring defense) in the Super Bowl for the 2012 season.

In 2011, Neither the Giants nor the Patriots had top 5-10 defenses.

In 2010 Green Bay (5th in yards, 2nd in points) beat the Steelers (2nd in yards 1st in scoring) in Super Bowl XLV.

Super Bowl XLIV after the 2009 season had the Saints with the #8 defense in yards beat the Colts with the 8th ranked scoring defense in the Super Bowl

Pittsburgh had the #1 defense in yards and scoring when they beat Arizona in the Super Bowl.

So over the past ten seasons, a team in the top ten in at least one of two main categories won the Super Bowl in all but one year, with top 5 defenses winning seven of those games, with two more top 5 defenses participating in the game but losing.

The facts show having a strong defense can pay off handsomely.

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