Texans, Bears Among Defenses Set to Take Off Down the Stretch
NFL offenses are steamrolling through the 2018 season. To most, it feels like the four teams averaging at least 30 points per game can't -- and won't -- be stopped.
The overall spike in production this season -- led by the New Orleans Saints (36.7 ppg), Kansas City Chiefs (35.3), Los Angeles Rams (33.5) and Pittsburgh Steelers (31) -- comes after a year when no team topped 30 points per game by season's end. (For what it's worth, the Chicago Bears fall just below the 30 ppg threshold, scoring 29.9 points per game.)
Despite what these high-powered offenses have done so far, there's no way his holds up through December.
Now is the time when defenses will start to turn the corner, contrary to popular belief. Having been a defensive player in the NFL for 15 seasons, I know first-hand that it takes time for defensive units -- even the best ones -- to work out the kinks.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: This defense can be described in one word: explosive. And that's without pass rusher Joey Bosa, who is expected to return to game action in the coming weeks. The loss of linebacker Denzel Perryman definitely hurts, but rookie Uchenna Nwosu is finding his stride and can fill in nicely. The Chargers are also enjoying the production of rookie safety Derwin James, a huge steal in April's draft who is a serious candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. With an offense that is equally explosive, the Chargers are forcing teams to become one-dimensional and, in turn, have held opponents under 20 points for five straight games (the longest active streak in the NFL).
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The Saints are coming off their best game defensively, holding the Bengals to just 14 points and shutting them out on third down. The defense has limited big plays and created turnovers of late, and after struggling in the early going, the secondary has improved in the last several weeks. Marshon Lattimore, the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year, is starting to play at a high level again, along with Marcus Williams, and Eli Apple is settling in with his new team. It helps that this unit has Drew Brees and Co. to control the clock and go toe-to-toe with any offense in the league.