Hasselbeck
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I think it goes without saying that the Seahawks OL does not fare very well against teams with an imposing defensive line. Arizona had their way with us on two separate occasions. The Rams had their way with us, as always. Even the Bucs found a way to impose their will on this offensive line and essentially derail the entire offensive game plan.
One thing to be encouraged by though with the playoffs looming - there are no Rams or Cardinals like defenses in the postseason this year. Quite the contrary actually.. here are the rankings for each respective team coming into Week 17.
1. Dallas
Against the run: 1st overall
Against the pass: 27th overall
Sacks: T-18th overall
Interceptions: T-25th overall
Scoring: 4th overall
Turnover Differential: +7 (T-6th overall)
Summary: The Cowboys have a surprisingly stout run defense, but that could be in large part due to a soft pass defense and the fact many teams are trailing and have to abandon the run. This is a team that's improved at rushing the passer as of late, but still really struggles generating a consistent pass rush.
2. Atlanta
Against the run: 16th overall
Against the pass: 26th overall
Sacks: 17th overall
Interceptions: T-20th overall
Scoring: 25th overall
Turnover Differential: +10 (T-3rd overall)
Summary: The Falcons don't embody a Dan Quinn defense just yet, but they do create turnovers in bundles and that's what makes them dangerous. They're essentially banking on winning a shootout each time out. In my opinion Atlanta is the one team I'd prefer to avoid, but they also arguably have the softest defense of the NFC contenders.
4. Green Bay
Against the run: 9th overall
Against the pass: 29th overall
Sacks: T-5th overall
Interceptions: T-3rd overall
Scoring: 22nd overall
Turnover Differential: +7 (T-6th overall)
Summary: The Packers defensive struggles have been known for much of the season. They are tough to run the ball against, but you are able to get big pass plays on them more often than you'd normally be able to get otherwise. Thanks to Dom Capers aggressive nature, the Packers do generate a decent pass rush, but the guys they have in the back end of the defense are paltry at best. Like the Falcons, they are an opportunistic defense (as we've already seen this month) and any turnovers they are able to create only gives their explosive offense more opportunities to score.
5. NY Giants
Against the run: 7th overall
Against the pass: 22nd overall
Sacks: T-18th overall
Interceptions: T-7th overall
Scoring: 3rd overall
Turnover Differential: -5 (T-24th overall)
Summary: The Giants defense is probably the "best" out of the playoff field we would conceivably run into at some point in January. However, the loss of Jason Pierre-Paul leaves a huge hole in their pass rush. They are stout against the run and rookie Landon Collins has been a ball hawk for much of the season, but unlike Atlanta and Green Bay - they very seldom win the turnover battle.
6. Detroit
Against the run: 17th overall
Against the pass: 16th overall
Sacks: T-29th overall
Interceptions: T-22nd overall
Scoring: 13th overall
Turnover Differential: 0 (T-16th overall)
Summary: The Lions are a relative middle of the pack defense with a horrid pass rush (great news for us!). They are also not very good at creating turnovers, nor are they very good at anything particular on that side of the ball. Very average team (especially on the defensive side of the ball) all in all.
7. Washington
Against the run: 25th overall
Against the pass: 28th overall
Sacks: T-7th overall
Interceptions: T-12th overall
Scoring: T-22nd overall
Turnover Differential: 3 (T-12th overall)
Summary: If the Giants defense is the best defense we may run into, the Redskins defense would certainly qualify as the worst. A couple things stick out here, namely.. they will blitz and blitz plenty.. but they do so because they are not equipped to consistently stop anything (whether its the run or the pass). They have had success in creating turnovers, but if you protect the ball against this team - you should put up some good offensive numbers, and as a result.. enough points to get the victory.
Ranking the defenses of NFC Playoff Teams/Playoff Hopefuls (Worst To Best)
7. Washington
6. Detroit
5. Green Bay
4. Dallas
3. Atlanta
2. NY Giants
1. Seattle (I know it doesn't feel this way necessarily, but it's still true)
One thing to be encouraged by though with the playoffs looming - there are no Rams or Cardinals like defenses in the postseason this year. Quite the contrary actually.. here are the rankings for each respective team coming into Week 17.
1. Dallas
Against the run: 1st overall
Against the pass: 27th overall
Sacks: T-18th overall
Interceptions: T-25th overall
Scoring: 4th overall
Turnover Differential: +7 (T-6th overall)
Summary: The Cowboys have a surprisingly stout run defense, but that could be in large part due to a soft pass defense and the fact many teams are trailing and have to abandon the run. This is a team that's improved at rushing the passer as of late, but still really struggles generating a consistent pass rush.
2. Atlanta
Against the run: 16th overall
Against the pass: 26th overall
Sacks: 17th overall
Interceptions: T-20th overall
Scoring: 25th overall
Turnover Differential: +10 (T-3rd overall)
Summary: The Falcons don't embody a Dan Quinn defense just yet, but they do create turnovers in bundles and that's what makes them dangerous. They're essentially banking on winning a shootout each time out. In my opinion Atlanta is the one team I'd prefer to avoid, but they also arguably have the softest defense of the NFC contenders.
4. Green Bay
Against the run: 9th overall
Against the pass: 29th overall
Sacks: T-5th overall
Interceptions: T-3rd overall
Scoring: 22nd overall
Turnover Differential: +7 (T-6th overall)
Summary: The Packers defensive struggles have been known for much of the season. They are tough to run the ball against, but you are able to get big pass plays on them more often than you'd normally be able to get otherwise. Thanks to Dom Capers aggressive nature, the Packers do generate a decent pass rush, but the guys they have in the back end of the defense are paltry at best. Like the Falcons, they are an opportunistic defense (as we've already seen this month) and any turnovers they are able to create only gives their explosive offense more opportunities to score.
5. NY Giants
Against the run: 7th overall
Against the pass: 22nd overall
Sacks: T-18th overall
Interceptions: T-7th overall
Scoring: 3rd overall
Turnover Differential: -5 (T-24th overall)
Summary: The Giants defense is probably the "best" out of the playoff field we would conceivably run into at some point in January. However, the loss of Jason Pierre-Paul leaves a huge hole in their pass rush. They are stout against the run and rookie Landon Collins has been a ball hawk for much of the season, but unlike Atlanta and Green Bay - they very seldom win the turnover battle.
6. Detroit
Against the run: 17th overall
Against the pass: 16th overall
Sacks: T-29th overall
Interceptions: T-22nd overall
Scoring: 13th overall
Turnover Differential: 0 (T-16th overall)
Summary: The Lions are a relative middle of the pack defense with a horrid pass rush (great news for us!). They are also not very good at creating turnovers, nor are they very good at anything particular on that side of the ball. Very average team (especially on the defensive side of the ball) all in all.
7. Washington
Against the run: 25th overall
Against the pass: 28th overall
Sacks: T-7th overall
Interceptions: T-12th overall
Scoring: T-22nd overall
Turnover Differential: 3 (T-12th overall)
Summary: If the Giants defense is the best defense we may run into, the Redskins defense would certainly qualify as the worst. A couple things stick out here, namely.. they will blitz and blitz plenty.. but they do so because they are not equipped to consistently stop anything (whether its the run or the pass). They have had success in creating turnovers, but if you protect the ball against this team - you should put up some good offensive numbers, and as a result.. enough points to get the victory.
Ranking the defenses of NFC Playoff Teams/Playoff Hopefuls (Worst To Best)
7. Washington
6. Detroit
5. Green Bay
4. Dallas
3. Atlanta
2. NY Giants
1. Seattle (I know it doesn't feel this way necessarily, but it's still true)