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STUPID COLTS FANS!
Below I compiled a simple list of our 2014 opponents along with a short on how their defense has ranked the past two seasons.
OPPONENT - RANK
- Titans - BOTTOM HALF - The Titans defense has easily been in the bottom half of NFL defenses for the last two seasons. Last season they were near the very bottom against the run, but right smack in the middle against the pass. They are as good against the pass as we are against the run, basically.
- Broncos - TOP HALF - Denver has found themselves taking a huge step backwards on defense from 2012 to 2013. But, they are really good against the run, and as a defense they are probably comfortably in the top half of NFL defenses. Hopefully not.
- Dolphins - BOTTOM HALF - Miami is another 2013 defense that took a step backwards. They ended the season being one of the worst against the run. They are remarkably better against the pass but that does not mean they are ranked in the top half of defenses we will face in 2014.
- Patriots - BOTTOM HALF - Just like Miami, New England is ranked about right in the middle of NFL defenses over the last two seasons. They are just bad enough against the run to kick them into the bottom half defenses we face. With that said, a Beliskunk defense is hard to prepare for every time, supposedly.
- 49ers - TOP HALF - San Fran did take a step back on defense last season. They still hover around the top ten defenses in the league in my opinion, but they are nowhere near the super D that cannot be beaten.
- Chargers - BOTTOM HAL - San Diego went from an okay defense in 2012 to quite possibly the very worst in 2013. Against both the pass and run they ranked in the 30s. Last season only the Falcons were worse against the pass and only the Bears were worse against the run.
- Rams - TOP HALF - Over the last two seasons our I-70 neighbors have been dominant on defense. Easily ranked in the Top 10 for both 2012 and 2013. Run defense is their greatest strength, but weakness was shown in their pass defense in 2013. More than likely they are outside the Top 10 against the pass.
- Jets - TOP HALF - Like the Rams, the Jets are one of the very best against the run. Their pass D is not great at all, and will be a weakness again in 2014.
- Bills - TOP HALF - The Bills are superb against the pass, ranked only behind the Super Bowl champs in 2013. With that said, they are not very good against the run. Surprisingly, in 2012 the Bills were one the leagues worst on defense.
- Seahawks - TOP HALF - The champs are probably still the best defense in the league. They have now sustained the great defense for both 2012 and 2013. No team has had a more complete defense.
- Raiders - BOTTOM HALF - Oakland is nearing the top half in the league against the run, but they have been lost the past two seasons against the pass. The Raiders will probably rank near the very bottom this season too.
- Broncos - TOP HALF
- Cardinals - TOP HALF - Arizona is the leagues best defense against the run, arguably. They are also easily a Top 10 defense against the pass. They have been very solid the last two seasons.
- Raiders - BOTTOM HALF
- Steelers - BOTTOM HALF - It's hard to think of Pittsburgh being in the bottom half of the league on defense, but they were last season. In 2012, they were much better. Are they on the decline? I doubt it.
- Chargers - BOTTOM HALF
ADDING IT ALL UP
If these numbers do not change this season we'll face only eight TOP HALF ranked defenses. And of course, the same against the BOTTOM HALF. Unfortunately for us, I think a couple few defenses we face underachieved last season. This is not all bad to me, since you are as good as the teams you beat. When the playoffs come around I want our guys polished against the best.