Erebus
Active member
I know it's early, but we just played the toughest offense we'll face all year, and still only gave up 17 points. The addition of Sheldon Richardson and what looks like the emergence of a couple good DBs in Griffin and maybe Coleman means we just might be better than 2013, or at least on par. We have a lot of bad QBs and/or offensive lines on the schedule. Barring injuries, I think we could set an NFL record for fewest points per game allowed. Here's our schedule, with commentary:
Week 2 vs SF - If they can score 3 at home vs Carolina, I think we have a good chance at a shutout in the CLink. I'd be surprised if they score a TD.
Week 3 @ TEN - They have a pretty good offense, but the Raiders had no problem holding them to just 16 points. They could surprise us and score 30 (especially if its hot), or put up a stinker and score 10. They have a good o-line.
Week 4 vs IND - If Luck is still out, I don't know how they can score, especially considering its a prime time game. Their defense certainly isn't going to score for them either.
Week 5 @ LAR - I don't know what to expect from Goff this year, but his good performance yesterday was probably just a byproduct of Indy's weak defense. They won't score more than GB did against us.
Week 6 - Bye
Week 7 @ NYG - Their offense looks as potent as ours right now, albeit without OBJ. He'll definitely be back by this game, probably even next week. We shut them out last time we played them in NJ, but they have better receivers now and a defense that will probably give them some short fields.
Week 8 vs HOU - Another possible shutout. Their o-line might be worse than ours, and they don't have a QB. Their points might all be scored by their defense.
Week 9 vs WAS - They'll put up some points, probably 13-20.
Week 10 @ ARI - If David Johnson is still out (not sure when he'd be eligible to return if placed on IR), and Palmer is still playing like he's 50, they won't score much.
Week 11 vs ATL - The Falcons are our next big challenge. Fortunately we get them at home in prime time. I hope Sheldon Richardson makes a big impact against them. Griffin will have 10 games of experience by this point, which could be very helpful.
Week 12 @ SF - Again, not much of a challenge. Might score a few more points in Santa Clara than they do at the CLink, but probably not more than 10.
Week 13 vs PHI - Moderate challenge, similar to Redskins.
Week 14 @ JAX - Bortles is still garbage, but they do have a pass rush now that might lead to a couple short fields and thus some field goals or fluky TDs.
Week 15 vs LAR - Could score anywhere between 0 and 20, but we've held them to under 10 points in 3 of the last 4 home games against them.
Week 16 @ DAL - Only our third real challenge of the year.
Week 17 vs ARI - Carson Palmer might be retired by now.
By my count, that is 3 actual challenges, 5-7 games with a moderate-to-legitimate chance at a shutout, and the rest are against teams that could easily score anywhere between 6 and 24 points. There are a few teams on the schedule who's defense might actually outscore their offense.
Week 2 vs SF - If they can score 3 at home vs Carolina, I think we have a good chance at a shutout in the CLink. I'd be surprised if they score a TD.
Week 3 @ TEN - They have a pretty good offense, but the Raiders had no problem holding them to just 16 points. They could surprise us and score 30 (especially if its hot), or put up a stinker and score 10. They have a good o-line.
Week 4 vs IND - If Luck is still out, I don't know how they can score, especially considering its a prime time game. Their defense certainly isn't going to score for them either.
Week 5 @ LAR - I don't know what to expect from Goff this year, but his good performance yesterday was probably just a byproduct of Indy's weak defense. They won't score more than GB did against us.
Week 6 - Bye
Week 7 @ NYG - Their offense looks as potent as ours right now, albeit without OBJ. He'll definitely be back by this game, probably even next week. We shut them out last time we played them in NJ, but they have better receivers now and a defense that will probably give them some short fields.
Week 8 vs HOU - Another possible shutout. Their o-line might be worse than ours, and they don't have a QB. Their points might all be scored by their defense.
Week 9 vs WAS - They'll put up some points, probably 13-20.
Week 10 @ ARI - If David Johnson is still out (not sure when he'd be eligible to return if placed on IR), and Palmer is still playing like he's 50, they won't score much.
Week 11 vs ATL - The Falcons are our next big challenge. Fortunately we get them at home in prime time. I hope Sheldon Richardson makes a big impact against them. Griffin will have 10 games of experience by this point, which could be very helpful.
Week 12 @ SF - Again, not much of a challenge. Might score a few more points in Santa Clara than they do at the CLink, but probably not more than 10.
Week 13 vs PHI - Moderate challenge, similar to Redskins.
Week 14 @ JAX - Bortles is still garbage, but they do have a pass rush now that might lead to a couple short fields and thus some field goals or fluky TDs.
Week 15 vs LAR - Could score anywhere between 0 and 20, but we've held them to under 10 points in 3 of the last 4 home games against them.
Week 16 @ DAL - Only our third real challenge of the year.
Week 17 vs ARI - Carson Palmer might be retired by now.
By my count, that is 3 actual challenges, 5-7 games with a moderate-to-legitimate chance at a shutout, and the rest are against teams that could easily score anywhere between 6 and 24 points. There are a few teams on the schedule who's defense might actually outscore their offense.
