Can't help but think that the defensive struggles aren't at least a little tied to the offensive woes. It's got to be draining to repeatedly be going back out on the field after another three-and-out. (What we witnessed in 2014 is testament to how salty that defense was.)
Any kind of spark from the offense will give the defense a big jolt. That's why it's important they establish a running game and bleed a little clock. Going no-huddle doesn't mean you have to snap it with 25 seconds on the play clock. One of the intents is to keep the defense from making substitutions. If you see 12 defenders on the field, go ahead and snap it. That's a free play (and at worst a free five yards). Then you start the process all over again.
I give you the Dallas Cowboys as Exhibit A. Their no-name rag-tag defense, considered a liability at the start of the year, is playing ridiculously well. Nobody could have seen that coming, but I have to believe they're getting a big shot of adrenalin from what Prescott, Elliott and the offense are doing. Of course, it helps that they're not on the field getting exposed for 35 minutes. Against the Bengals and the Packers, a couple of awfully good offenses, the Dallas D was out there for 27 and 30 minutes.
Any kind of spark from the offense will give the defense a big jolt. That's why it's important they establish a running game and bleed a little clock. Going no-huddle doesn't mean you have to snap it with 25 seconds on the play clock. One of the intents is to keep the defense from making substitutions. If you see 12 defenders on the field, go ahead and snap it. That's a free play (and at worst a free five yards). Then you start the process all over again.
I give you the Dallas Cowboys as Exhibit A. Their no-name rag-tag defense, considered a liability at the start of the year, is playing ridiculously well. Nobody could have seen that coming, but I have to believe they're getting a big shot of adrenalin from what Prescott, Elliott and the offense are doing. Of course, it helps that they're not on the field getting exposed for 35 minutes. Against the Bengals and the Packers, a couple of awfully good offenses, the Dallas D was out there for 27 and 30 minutes.
