Still Encouraged; Still Love My Skins: Bright Spots

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Originally Posted by Buster

NFL - Statistics by Team - Yahoo! Sports

#3 Defense overall and #1-ranked pass defense in the NFL despite Carlos Rogers' play.

Well, in full disclosure, you should note that only Tampa Bay has faced less passes than the Redskins have, so we're behind NYJ, New Orleans, and Indianapolis in yards per pass attempt. That would make us the 4th rated pass defense in the eyes of most, which is still very good.

But the difference between us and the middle of the pack NFL teams is 0.3 yards per pass attempt, and that difference won't win or lose you many games.

I think our run defense gets a really raw deal because we are one of only five teams this year (Tampa, Oakland, Buffalo, and Cleveland...all teams with terrible offenses) who has faced MORE runs than passes. We rank 20th in defensive yards per rushing attempt, but we've been so good in short yardage situations, and tackles for loss that I think our run defense is actually a lot better than our passing defense.

And yes, I saw our interior DL getting killed without Haynesworth in there, and we were certainly better against the pass than the run in our last game, but for the season, I think the pass D has been the achillies heel.