burningmetal

The difference is we've been more aggressive on defense. That creates more pressure and more turnovers. If we had a dominant pass rush, we'd have a dominant D. But we don't, so right now we're getting just enough, and that's cool considering where we were. But all you guys talking about stats not mattering is kind of understating what's really happening. Giving up a lot of yards will more often than not lead to giving up a ton of points. We can't simply rely on turnovers all the time, so let's not act like all the missed tackles aren't a problem.

I'm simply happy that the defense is competent, lately, so don't misunderstand this to mean that I don't think we should be happy about the improvement. But I'm not kissing any butts about it. It was apparent early on that these players weren't going to work in spags' system, and we'd have to go back to blitzing everyone in order to at least create the possibility for turnovers. So far, it's working. And so far that's all that matters, but I wouldn't mind seeing a few more three and outs.

Oh, and people are also forgetting that our revived running game is keeping the defense off the field. In '09 and last year, we finished 4th and 6th in rushing. Both seasons we won 13 games (not including the playoffs) despite having defenses that finished ranked 25th and 24th in those years. In '10 we couldn't run, and though we managed 11 wins, it was very ugly, and then of course we suffered the most embarrassing opening round loss in League history. This year we were 2-5 at the point where we finally started running, and have now won 3 straight. We also created a lot of turnovers in '09, but you see the dropoff in that department when we're not eating clock and keeping those guys fresh. Just some food for thought.

They don't call it a team game for nothing. It's been a good collective turnaround.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

TheOak

Not sure what everyone is smoking but our losses at the start of the season were from abysmal defensive play and receivers not catching balls, and missed field goals.

WE lost those games. No refs took them from us.

We lost to GB by 1 point and the Chiefs by 3.. Hartley missed FGs in both of those games. He is 66% on turf and that is terrible for a dome team.

None of his misses were long by a long shot.

Jamessr

Hartley missed a field goal vs Green Bay... I'm guessing the other 52 people and 59:00 minutes had nothing to do with that loss?

he contributed... not the sole factor.
I'm not even hartley fan I can even see that