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The defense hasn't played up to their potential yet this season.
They've had games where they played well, like the TB or the 49ers game, or managed to keep KC in the game in the second half, like the most recent LAC game when they held them to a single TD in the second half. The DEN game they did exactly what they needed to, getting 6 sacks, two picks (neither by a S though), a 30% 3rd-down conversion rate, a 31% scoring efficiency rate, etc. and so on, but somehow allowed 4 TDs. If they'd just forced DEN to score at their usual rate (1 TD, 2-3 FGs/gm), maybe we're not having this conversation.
But they also have had some pretty bad games, like the CIN game, when they needed help from CIN's mistakes to keep it under 30.
The DL has not been able to even get pressure consistently without some kind of help for most of the season. And the secondary has not taken advantage when the front-7 has gotten pressure and forced the offense to make poor decisions with the football. Mostly that's probably on the safeties, but regardless, they aren't making other teams pay for mistakes.
The result has been the inability to generate turnovers and/or get 3rd-4th down stops. And this defense is supposed to be designed around that principle. If the DL can't get pressure consistently without help and the secondary (especially the Ss) can't capitalize when they do, this defense is going to struggle, and having rookies all over the place is probably going to magnify those issues.
The DL has to start generating pressure without help and the secondary, the safeties in particular, have to start making some plays, not just covering well. I know, CJ is having a great year, and I'm not saying he's part of the problem. But someone else or a couple other DLs need to start making more plays in the pass rush.
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