Yes they return 8 starters but lost their best DB and 2 best pass rushers and last season they were:
#81 in total D
#103 in passing D
#74 in scoring D
#49 in rushing D
In fact the only meaningful categories where they were top 50 were:
#23 in red zone D
#24 in turnovers gained
#43 3rd down D
None of that remotely says "elite defense" to me. Especially against the kind of talent we can run out on offense. Certainly not the kind of D we can't beat if we need to win in a shoot out.
#81 in total D
#103 in passing D
#74 in scoring D
#49 in rushing D
In fact the only meaningful categories where they were top 50 were:
#23 in red zone D
#24 in turnovers gained
#43 3rd down D
None of that remotely says "elite defense" to me. Especially against the kind of talent we can run out on offense. Certainly not the kind of D we can't beat if we need to win in a shoot out.
