#run-defense

#run-defense

When he was signed by the New York Jets before the 2022 season, Jacob Martin told the New York Post, "I'm a total football player." That statement came five months after former NFL scout Daniel Kelly had essentially eviscerated the four-year veteran on Sports Illustrated. In his story, Kelly referred to Martin as one of the worst run defenders he had ever seen at the defensive end spot.

What happened to the Chargers who started the season with three consecutive wins over AFC West foes? Injuries along the offensive line and in the backfield account for some of the troubles - three losses in four games - but now the defense is breaking down too, especially against the run. Enter the Vikings, who have alternated wins and losses all season and are coming off a six-point loss to Philadelphia.

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Chargers activated linebackers Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman off of injured reserve, the team announced Saturday. The move clears the way for both to return to the field against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Mack injured his elbow in the Chargers' Week 2 win over the Raiders. He attempted a tackle in the first quarter, but his left hand got caught between Chargers linebacker Troy Dye and Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker, turning his elbow to an awkward position.

In fact, Weaver, whose run defense is last in the NFL at 174.2 yards per game, said the run defense was so bad that there were times he wanted to "throw up" while watching the game tape of Panthers running back Rico Dowdle rushing for 206 yards in the Panthers' 27-24 win. "This guy was running, he was like a runaway freight train, just running downhill," Weaver said.

This is a big one. Like last year when the Falcons faced the Eagles and Chiefs, or 2023 when they drew the buzzsaw Lions, Atlanta's facing one of the very best teams in the NFL. This happens to be a team they see once every four years, and since the turn of the decade, the Buffalo Bills have the second-best record in the NFL, barely behind the Chiefs.

PASS OFFENSE: A Mac Jones won for the third time in as many starts in place of Brock Purdy, throwing for 342 yards with two touchdown passes, no interceptions, no fumbles, no Ricky Pearsall, no Jauan Jennings, no George Kittle and no Brandon Aiyuk. No kidding. Kendrick Bourne, after Sunday's three-drop fiasco, was Jones' favorite target (10 catches, 142 yards, one drop). Jones delivered scoring strikes to Jake Tonges and Christian McCaffrey for a stunning 14-0 lead, then even after aggravating a left-knee injury,

After the worst performance of his young career a week ago, he bounced back with poise, accuracy, and confidence. He wasn't just managing the offense; he was commanding it, showing exactly why the Falcons hitched their future to him. Penix finished 20-of-26 (76.9%) for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Even the pick wasn't a backbreaker - more of a heat check to an equally hot Drake London on a sideline sail route.

PITTSBURGH -- The Seattle Seahawks face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a NFL Week 2 matchup on Sunday. Shoring up the run defense was an emphasis this offseason, yet the Steelers struggled against the Jets. The defense will be tested in a different way against Seattle's zone scheme without first-round rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee). Watch out for No. 3 corner Josh Jobe, whose combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and speed might make him Seattle's best option to match up with former Seahawk DK Metcalf.

Under the lights at Memorial Stadium and in front of a national TV audience, Cal faces its biggest challenge of the young season Saturday when Minnesota pays a visit. Both teams bring 2-0 records to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN. We will need to play our best game so far, coach Justin Wilcox said. I'm confident we can do that.

It's why Fowler's reps diminished at the business end of the campaign and into the playoffs. Although Fowler's 10.5 sacks and 44 pressures were encouraging, his ability against the run leaves a lot to be desired. His 50.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 169th out of 210 qualifying edge defenders. The No.3 overall selection became a liability, and the Commanders couldn't trust him to provide the production needed.