Are defenses catching up?

[WindyCitySteel]

Currently, only 11 teams are averaging 23 PPG or more.

Last year, 13 teams averaged 23+ PPG.

In 2021, 16 teams.

In 2020, 22 teams.

This can't sit well with the powers that be, but what more can they do to make it easier for offenses to succeed? All the rules favor them now, it seems.

What's the next offensive innovation/adjustment to swing things back?

[feltdizz]

Watched a lot of rock fights today.. lol.

21 teams scored 20 points or less this week.

Maybe its time to adjust the view of how to win in the NFL in 2023.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Currently, only 11 teams are averaging 23 PPG or more.

Last year, 13 teams averaged 23+ PPG.

In 2021, 16 teams.

In 2020, 22 teams.

This can't sit well with the powers that be, but what more can they do to make it easier for offenses to succeed? All the rules favor them now, it seems.

What's the next offensive innovation/adjustment to swing things back?

Allowing for one man in motion pre snap. Like the CFL does.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Watched a lot of rock fights today.. lol.

21 teams scored 20 points or less this week.

Maybe its time to adjust the view of how to win in the NFL in 2023.

The NFL has lot of new mostly average to bad qb's , and many qb's are hurt. That is the reason for the offensive slow down.

[Flasteel]

Don't forget that the top two teams in the NFC were just beat by two mediocre teams from the AFC...who just happen to possess two of the best defenses in the league. Playing great defense and complimentary offense may not be flashy but it will always be a formula for winning football games.

I'm sure QB play and injuries might be a factor, but that is a very small contribution to what we are seeing in my opinion.

[NorthCoast]

You can't compare a season average to Wk6 averages and draw any valid conclusions.

[WindyCitySteel]

You can't compare a season average to Wk6 averages and draw any valid conclusions.

Look at the last three full seasons, then. This one is trending that way.

[WindyCitySteel]

The NFL has lot of new mostly average to bad qb's , and many qb's are hurt. That is the reason for the offensive slow down.

This is part of it. I can't believe guys like Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith are making bank -- they're not winning a championship. If you don't have one of the best, you need to try to get one somehow.

[The Man of Steel]

Today Jason Whitlock posted that the NFL is currently in the Era of Mediocrity and that the entire game has been dumbed down for/by the current group of players.

[feltdizz]

Don't forget that the top two teams in the NFC were just beat by two mediocre teams from the AFC...who just happen to possess two of the best defenses in the league. Playing great defense and complimentary offense may not be flashy but it will always be a formula for winning football games.

I'm sure QB play and injuries might be a factor, but that is a very small contribution to what we are seeing in my opinion.

A lot of people watch highlights but don't watch the games.

Offenses aren't pretty this year. It's always funny when folks step outside the Steeler bubble and highlight reels to see how the NFL as a whole is moving. I'm not saying our offense doesn't need to improve but maybe we aren't as far behind this modern NFL as folks believe.

[feltdizz]

Today Jason Whitlock posted that the NFL is currently in the Era of Mediocrity and that the entire game has been dumbed down for/by the current group of players.

Jason Whitlock is like Mark Madden. That dude is always trying to blame someone or something.

Has nothing to do with how much players are being paid or how smart the players are these days. It's a cycle and offense isn't going to rule forever. It's like some folks can't handle seeing defenses play good football.

People love offense but IMO seeing KC score in 15 seconds with no timeouts was TERRIBLE football. Instead of bashing practice times and players pay, how about giving the defenses some praise.

I also wonder if teams chasing points and going for it on 4th down have impacted scoring. Seeing a lot of teams not kick FG's these days and opting to go for it without having success.

[T.Ferguson]

I think it's a combination of pretty much every offense evolving into a variation of the same offense in the NFL, hence opposing defenses are being designed to stop this one type of offense and it's gradually catching up each season, even with rule changes continually favoring the offense.

Combine that with mediocre coaches who bring nothing new to the table for the most part and questionable QB play and talent and there you go. The NFL desperately needs more coaches who are willing to take some chances with offensive schemes and ideas, we need to see more variations in team identity, it's honestly boring watching the same offense in pretty much every game these days.

[Eich]

I was surprised by what the Clowns did to SF. Wish we had been at least competitive in that game.

No more undefeated teams with SF falling to the Clowns and Iggles falling to the J E T S Jets Jets Jets

[feltdizz]

I think it's a combination of pretty much every offense evolving into a variation of the same offense in the NFL, hence opposing defenses are being designed to stop this one type of offense and it's gradually catching up each season, even with rule changes continually favoring the offense.

Combine that with mediocre coaches who bring nothing new to the table for the most part and questionable QB play and talent and there you go. The NFL desperately needs more coaches who are willing to take some chances with offensive schemes and ideas, we need to see more variations in team identity, it's honestly boring watching the same offense in pretty much every game these days.

Good post. It's a copy cat league, always has been and until these new QB's get more seasoning we will continue to see these types of games.

I know it's college but I just watched the next great hype look like trash vs a good pass rush that took away his ability to take deep shots. Might be time to give these defenses some credit for making offenses look bad.

[WindyCitySteel]

A lot of people watch highlights but don't watch the games.

Offenses aren't pretty this year. It's always funny when folks step outside the Steeler bubble and highlight reels to see how the NFL as a whole is moving. I'm not saying our offense doesn't need to improve but maybe we aren't as far behind this modern NFL as folks believe.

Relatively we're 30th in the league, 22PPG behind the best.

This doesn't cover the absolute stench of our offense.