Interceptions (or lack thereof)

[Irish Greg 2.0]

Forcing turnovers, as a whole, have been a big problem for this defense this season.

But, it's mind boggling that we only have 2 PICKS from the whole defense through 6 games. Yes, 2. And, BOTH were in the opene (Love & Woolen).

I know they have had a good shot at a handful more, but you either make the play or you don't.

This would be a really good weekend to get some, as I think it's going to be a shootout. Is Witherspoon ever going to become a playmaker in this defense? He is way overdue. I need to see more from a 5th overall pick. I realize he doesn't get targeted much and that he has been mostly solid in coverage and tackling, but I want to see him get involved in game changers.

Of course, you need a good pass rush to help create interceptions. Having Murphy back should help.

[Aseahawkfan]

Pretty sad our picks have dropped off. I really thought Riq and Spoon would get more picks. It seems we're not producing turnovers. Maybe a lack of consistent QB pressure to cause mistakes.

[NorthHawk]

Yeah, pass rush creates hurried passes which give more opportunities for picks.
It’s no surprise considering the teams best rushers are missing games. Another example of poor depth during the transition.

[Oly]

I agree with North and asea: I think the pass rush has a lot to do with it. But now that I think about it, I'm trying to remember how many times the secondary was even in position to make a pick, and I'm having a hard time. It makes me wonder if the scheme is asking them to play in a way that they're playing over more than under or if they're still uncomfortable in the scheme and not playing as instinctively. I'll have to trust a better football mind than mine to tell me if I'm seeing things wrong.

[Irish Greg 2.0]

I think they need to greatly simplify the scheme. Guys are thinking too much.

[River Dog]

Forcing turnovers, as a whole, have been a big problem for this defense this season.

But, it's mind boggling that we only have 2 PICKS from the whole defense through 6 games. Yes, 2. And, BOTH were in the opene (Love & Woolen).

I know they have had a good shot at a handful more, but you either make the play or you don't.

This would be a really good weekend to get some, as I think it's going to be a shootout. Is Witherspoon ever going to become a playmaker in this defense? He is way overdue. I need to see more from a 5th overall pick. I realize he doesn't get targeted much and that he has been mostly solid in coverage and tackling, but I want to see him get involved in game changers.

Of course, you need a good pass rush to help create interceptions. Having Murphy back should help.

And our only two picks game at the expense of a rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, playing in his first NFL game. After watching them on TNF earlier this week, I'm sure glad we drew them in Week 1 instead of Week 6 or 7.

Obviously, the lack of consistent pressure is a major contributor to our lack of turnovers, and our injuries, specifically to Mafe, Murphy, and Owosu have hurt.

[Stream Hawk]

Fixed. This was easily the best win of Mike’s young career. Defense was so damn dominant and opportunistic.

[NorthHawk]

More/better pressure on the Quarterback.

[River Dog]

Fixed. This was easily the best win of Mike’s young career. Defense was so damn dominant and opportunistic.

Well, I'm not going that far and pronounce our defense as "fixed." We still have a lot of very challenging games coming up, including this weekend against the Bills and Josh Allen, one of the best multi-dimensional quarterbacks in the league. But they sure played one helluva lot better than they have in the past 3 games.

[Irish Greg 2.0]

Fixed. This was easily the best win of Mike’s young career. Defense was so damn dominant and opportunistic.

...until we play a really good team.

[River Dog]

Yeah, I wouldn't say that anything on this D is fixed. Last week vs. the Bills, we gave up 445 yards of total offense including 134 on the ground, a nearly 2 to 1 time of possession differential, the Bills converted on 8 out of 15 3rd downs, and we got one QB sack for a grand total of -2 yards.