We're starting to have cool things happen.

[Spin Doctor]

This defense is starting to resemble the Baltimore Raven's defense. We're starting to see that disguised coverage, Spoon is being moved around a lot kind of like Hamlin was in Baltimore. Aaron Rodgers looked confused by the looks he was given which bodes well for us. I haven't been this excited about team direction in a long time. MacDonald has also seemed to do a good job putting out fires and he's looking more fired up himself.

I don't think we're making a deep playoff run this year, but even so this is the best the defense has looked in a long time. We have some strong pieces to build on top of and we're starting to see some more spicy things from this defense. It isn't like in the beginning of the year either, we're making good offenses look lost.

The future is bright boys and girls. Every week I'm excited to tune in and see what sort of interesting wrinkle is going to be added. I'm starting to see a lot more subterfuge. The Williams pick was caused by a slick zone blitz. You never know whether a DB is going to come down and blitz you or a D-Lineman is going to drop into coverage. This is the kind of thing Hurtts tried to do but failed at.

I think we're in for a treat for the rest of the year whether we make the playoffs, superbowl or just miss the playoffs. We have a strong foundation to build upon.

 

[Jegpeg]

As I see it at hte season has progressed the defence has significantly impoved at least partially due to injured players returning and the defence and I agree the defence is looking really good.

On the other hand we are really struggling to get anything going in the run and that makes the passing game a lot harder. Oppossing defences seem to have worked us out. Special teams last week was absolutely diabolical. We only got a win against hte Jets because the Jets handed it to us wut penalties, against a less disfunctional team that wiuld have been a loss.

We might make the play-offs but the packers or vikings would be strong favorites to win, the bookies have or are expected to make us 3 point underdogs in 4 of our last 5 games and 1.5 point underdogs against Chicago. Arizona are favorites in 4 of their last 5 (strong favorites against NE and Car). This week is a must win game if we lose I think our play-ff chances will be pretty slim.

My levels of excitment are similar to the last couple of seasons, we might make the play-offs but it is far from guaranteed nad if we do get they we are unlikely to go far. Only difference is that it is the Defence is out strongest unit this season.

 

[hawks85]

This defense is starting to resemble the Baltimore Raven's defense. We're starting to see that disguised coverage, Spoon is being moved around a lot kind of like Hamlin was in Baltimore. Aaron Rodgers looked confused by the looks he was given which bodes well for us. I haven't been this excited about team direction in a long time. MacDonald has also seemed to do a good job putting out fires and he's looking more fired up himself.

I don't think we're making a deep playoff run this year, but even so this is the best the defense has looked in a long time. We have some strong pieces to build on top of and we're starting to see some more spicy things from this defense. It isn't like in the beginning of the year either, we're making good offenses look lost.

The future is bright boys and girls. Every week I'm excited to tune in and see what sort of interesting wrinkle is going to be added. I'm starting to see a lot more subterfuge. The Williams pick was caused by a slick zone blitz. You never know whether a DB is going to come down and blitz you or a D-Lineman is going to drop into coverage. This is the kind of thing Hurtts tried to do but failed at.

I think we're in for a treat for the rest of the year whether we make the playoffs, superbowl or just miss the playoffs. We have a strong foundation to build upon.

I told every single person that confronted me about Coach Macdonald and the defense. I told them just be patient. Macdonald is moving people around to fit the defense. The defense has played lights out. The best performance that best resembled the Ravens D last year was the first game against the Cardinals.

 

[Ozzy]

It’s crazy people were giving up on him 6 weeks into his first season lol.

 

[Spin Doctor]

It’s crazy people were giving up on him 6 weeks into his first season lol.

I was telling people to wait, but there was one thing that troubled me. I knew the guy is a defensive savant, his credentials speak for itself. What I saw were players melting down and at each others throats. I was concerned with his body language and how he was handling it. That was what got me a little spooked. The next thing I didn't expect was for the defense to come together so soon. His system is notoriously hard to grasp right away. The player are all expected to be able to play multiple positions and rotate. It's part of why his defense is so confusing for opposing offenses.

 

[Ozzy]

Good points and honestly we might see the biggest jump next year. This has a chance to be an elite defense by as early as next year with all the pieces here for another year (I think?)

 

[nwHawk]

The players used that energy to transform into teammates that love, and respect each other. They are fun to watch again! (On defense)

 

[AROS]

Great points and what I also love taking shape is the human side of things. One of the key elements to the LOB besides their dominant badassery on the field was that they were definitive characters that stood out and were easy to root for. These were not no-name players you couldn’t remember. They developed into almost super hero, mythic status to us.

No, I’m not saying we are there yet, but you can see the genesis of that paradigm at play. Big Cat, Spoon, Love and so forth…Players that are creating an identity that may be the manifestation and core of our next elite defense.

Exciting times ahead!

 

[toffee]

Winning ugly games, winning lucky games, these are stuffs that often happened to good teams.

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

This defense is starting to resemble the Baltimore Raven's defense. We're starting to see that disguised coverage, Spoon is being moved around a lot kind of like Hamlin was in Baltimore. Aaron Rodgers looked confused by the looks he was given which bodes well for us. I haven't been this excited about team direction in a long time. MacDonald has also seemed to do a good job putting out fires and he's looking more fired up himself.

I don't think we're making a deep playoff run this year, but even so this is the best the defense has looked in a long time. We have some strong pieces to build on top of and we're starting to see some more spicy things from this defense. It isn't like in the beginning of the year either, we're making good offenses look lost.

The future is bright boys and girls. Every week I'm excited to tune in and see what sort of interesting wrinkle is going to be added. I'm starting to see a lot more subterfuge. The Williams pick was caused by a slick zone blitz. You never know whether a DB is going to come down and blitz you or a D-Lineman is going to drop into coverage. This is the kind of thing Hurtts tried to do but failed at.

I think we're in for a treat for the rest of the year whether we make the playoffs, superbowl or just miss the playoffs. We have a strong foundation to build upon.

Honestly, if we can at least win the NFC West, get the #3 seed, and win the first play-off game vs whomever I kind of like our chances if the road to SB is through Eagles and Lions. We might not have enough to beat them, yeah, but recency bias shows we kind of match up well against them, most of these guys have ample experience against them in high-profile games, and they just might have a fighter’s chance if there is no blatant steering. Not saying it’ll happen but for some reason Eagles and Lions don’t scare me as much as the other three contenders in Vikings, Packers, and Commanders. We will at least see in a few weeks in how we match up against the first two. You know more fear in the unknown.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Winning ugly games, winning lucky games, these are stuffs that often happened to good teams.

Well, on the side of that, they handed the Rams and Giants games away. So, those were lucky for opponent.
It goes both ways.

 

[toffee]

Well, on the side of that, they handed the Rams and Giants games away. So, those were lucky for opponent.
It goes both ways.

We were a bad team then but we are getting good.

 

[pittpnthrs]

I see a path and a direction and that's all I ever really wanted. MM has addressed the defense (not done yet) and i'm sure the Oline will be next. The QB position remains a mystery. That will be interesting in the next couple of seasons.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Felt like mid to late season would be about the time we would see legit improvements on the defense. Def. loving the direction.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

The biggest difference between him and Pete as that he will straight up cut you of you are under performing lol. Getting jones and cutting the other dude worked amazing. And it's getting better every week.

 

[Appyhawk]

If Nwosu can stay healthy when he gets back on the field our D rotation will be an envy. I am so looking forward to what happens when Mac can bend his focus toward what ails us on offense. We have the makings at skill spots if we can just get a few more grunt parts improved.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No doubt, it's already a solid D line. Now we get the beast that is Nwusu. And he's gonna' be insane motivated to get out there.

Calling it now, he gets a sack against Cryler Body Language on Sunday.

 

[SeaWolv]

While I am inclined to pump the brakes on any prognostication involving winning the conference championship, I'm not opposed to the idea of making the conference championship. I say that mainly because teams like the Lions and the Bucs are so beat up right now. Of course it all comes down to draws and teams getting healthy, but it could happen.

Honestly I'd just be happy they made the playoffs with all the change this year. Them winning a playoff game would exceed all my expectations.

 

[Chukarhawk]

I think the offense starts to turn the corner in these last few games.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

With my pre-season expectations, this is one year that I'd be plenty happy just making the playoffs. Other years, not at all.