A good run defense is the last piece to a defensive puzzle. Not having one isn't worse than struggling to contain the passing game, but giving up five yards a pop, succumbing to the playaction pass and struggling to make comebacks are frustrating results without it.
The Bengals were fortunate enough to have the eight best run defense in DVOA last season, at -8.1% (negative is above average for defense). The advanced ranking looks better than traditional stats like Y/A because of the tough offenses faced; the unadjusted DVOA (VOA) was -4.6% This was far from the performance in 2007, where the D ranked twenty-seventh.
Continue reading "Defensive Preview Part Three: Stopping the Run" »

