The Kansas City Chiefs defense has been an inspired group of late. Prior to Thursday night’s 31-28 win over the high-octane Chargers, K.C. allowed a paltry 65 points (10.65 per game) during a six-game win streak that was extended to seven with the victory.
The play of linebacker Nick Bolton, a rising star, has been magnificent. The defense bent but never broke against a Chargers offense that wasn’t afraid to play the analytics and go for it on fourth down, putting pressure on the Chiefs to make stand after stand without the services of star defensive lineman Chris Jones (COVID-19 protocol).
CHIEFS BALL!!!!
📺: #KCvsLAC on FOX pic.twitter.com/Kmg0ZFUdl3
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 17, 2021
K.C. stuffed the Chargers on four fourth downs including three inside the five-yard line.If Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense continues to evolve into a tough, stingy unit, then this team will be in its third consecutive Super Bowl come February.
New England Patriots: Belichick’s Dogs Are Barking
Opposing quarterbacks have struggled against the New England Patriots since they fixed the issues that plagued them earlier this season. Since a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, New England has allowed offenses 152 passing yards per game, six total touchdown passes and a 55.3 completion percentage.
They’ve also intercepted 13 passes and compiled 19 sacks. With Carson Wentz a feast-or-famine type of signal caller on the docket this week, expect BB’s defense to pounce if the opportunity presents itself.
Every #ProBowlVote counts double today! 🚨
RT to vote for the Patriots DBs.@McCourtyTwins @MR_INT @Phillips_17 @greengoblin @KingDugg_3 @JoejuanW
Myles Bryant pic.twitter.com/rQ8ShHTkC8— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 15, 2021
Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys are legit on the defensive side of the football. Parsons remains a viable DPOY candidate.
His play in Week 14 was nothing short of magnificent in 27-20 road win at division rival Washington. Parsons finished with two sacks, one forced fumble, eight tackles and a batted pass. He was everywhere on Sunday at FedExField.
🗣 LET'S GO!!!#DALvsWAS | 📺 : @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/3wNV8Rz9Ss
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 12, 2021
The team also got defensive ends Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence back. Each made plays, and their return should terrify opposing offenses, as the team has 20 sacks since Week 9.
The problem in New Orleans this season hasn’t been the defense. Minus ironman Cameron Jordan ,who had his 172-consecutive game streak snapped, due to COVID-19 protocol, the defense still balled out.
In a dominant performance against the Jets, Nawlins’ held its fifth straight opponent to under 205 yards passing, also picking up 11 sacks over that span.
Now they face Tom Brady, who they’ve had plenty of success against in the past four meetings. The Saints have a 3-1 record while forcing Tom Terrific into seven interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and a 77.5 passer rating.
✌️🛫✌️🛫 pic.twitter.com/HS8ijjQ6W9
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 13, 2021
Early in the season the Indianapolis Colts defense underachieved, but they seem to have righted the ship in the last five weeks. Between four games and a bye week they’ve allowed just 161.0 yards passing per game while compiling 13 sacks and five interceptions.
Those are the type of numbers this defense is capable of under Matt Eberflus. That 33 percent third-down conversion rate over that time frame exemplifies how you win games in the NFL, by getting off the field on third-down.
C0️⃣lts pic.twitter.com/7WKayAWBux
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 5, 2021
Honorable Mention
Los Angeles Rams — Picked up big win at the Cardinals on MNF. Harassed Kyler Murray all game and intercepted him twice. Aaron Donald had a sack on the first and last snap of the game. This minus Jalen Ramsey, who was in COVID-19 protocol.
🗣 LAST DAY TO VOTE. You know what to do. 🤷♂️
Retweet. Retweet. Retweet.#ProBowlVote + @AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/cYvK5JfbeZ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 16, 2021
Miami Dolphins — Brian Flores has this team playing really well and fast. Led by rookie edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, they’ve allowed just 280 total yards per game during their current five-game win streak.
Retweet to send this squad to the Pro Bowl! 🕺 #ProBowlVote x @cwilkins42 #ProBowlVote x @EmanOgbah #ProBowlVote x @JJPhillips15 pic.twitter.com/btyZWQaIfF
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 13, 2021
Offenses are only converting 33 percent of third downs against the Fins, who have also tallied 19 sacks and eight interceptions during a five-week defensive lockdown. Jets QB Zach Wilson is going to be under some serious duress come Sunday. That may bode well for Miami being No. 1 in our rankings next week.
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