All articles tagged with #run defense
Detroit's rain-soaked preseason opener against Cincinnati yielded a standout pass rush from Ahmed Hassanein (16.7 productive rating with 5 pressures, 2 sacks and a forced fumble), solid run-defense grades from Roger McCreary and Keith Abney, a strong yards-after-contact performance from Jacob Saylors, and a tough outing for Ennis Rakestraw in coverage, underscoring Lions' depth and some early roster questions.
The Giants lost 13-10 to the Vikings in their preseason opener, with a porous run defense dominating headlines, Deonte Banks needing to translate camp success into game impact, and Braxton Berrios delivering a notable special-teams showing.
The Vikings selected Iowa State nose tackle Domonique 'Big Citrus' Orange at No. 82 in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding a run-stuffing interior presence to pair with Caleb Banks and Jake Golday to bolster the front seven. At 6'2", 322 pounds, Orange is known for occupying blockers rather than flashing pass rush, having limited sacks in college. The pick earned an instant grade of B, reflecting value in beefing up the trenches despite other needs.
Baltimore selected Missouri edge rusher Zion Young with the No. 45 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Baltimore Beatdown’s staff gave the pick high marks, praising Young’s power-run defense, versatility to rush from outside or inside, and immediate impact potential alongside Trey Hendrickson and Mike Green, with a path to double-digit sacks as he develops. Some analysts suggest Baltimore could target a center or tight end at No. 80 to complete the move.
Buffalo used a flurry of trades to move back into the second round (No. 35, plus a later No. 66) and now faces Day 2 with a plan to add value at edge/OLB, off-ball linebacker and nose tackle to shore up a suspect run defense behind Rousseau, Chubb and Hoecht. Targets discussed include Cashius Howell, Jacob Rodriguez, CJ Allen, Kayden McDonald, and Anthony Hill.
The Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick to the Giants to acquire Dexter Lawrence, a move aimed at shoring up a leaky run defense (147.1 rushing yards per game and 5.22 ypc in 2025) with Lawrence set to earn about $22 million in 2026 and $25 million in 2027; Duke Tobin called the deal too good to pass up as Cincinnati pursues a playoff run, hoping Lawrence sparks a stronger 2026 run stop while the Giants allowed 145.3 ypg and 5.31 ypc last season.
The Jets traded Jermaine Johnson to the Titans for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, an early-second-round pick from Texas. Sweat is a 366-pound run-stuffer who has posted strong run-defense grades (rookie 75.0, 2025 79.3) and solid pass-rush numbers (2025 grade 74.1) while boasting superb tackling (career 4.4% missed-tackle rate). After starting 28 of 29 games for Tennessee and increasingly playing nose tackle in 2025, he should anchor the Jets' 3-4 middle, upgrading run defense and offering more pass rush than New York's prior interior options. The trade is viewed as a potential steal given Sweat's size, film, and versatility.
The Steelers' run defense has become the best in the NFL over the last three games, thanks to strong play from their front line and perimeter defenders like Joey Porter Jr., with coach Teryl Austin highlighting their disciplined, square blocking and tackling. The return of T.J. Watt is anticipated to further bolster the defense, while offensive decisions, such as a recent aggressive play call, reflect ongoing efforts to improve.
The Patriots extended their winning streak to 10 games with a dominant performance over the Giants, showcasing strong team mentality, effective offensive line adjustments, and a solid defensive effort, though their run defense needs improvement during the upcoming bye week, especially against run-heavy opponents.
The Patriots are on a five-game winning streak, with standout performances from QB Drake Maye and coach Mike Vrabel, complemented by innovative play-calling from OC Josh McDaniels. The defense has also excelled, especially in run stopping against Browns star Myles Garrett and rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, showcasing a strategic shift in their defensive front. Overall, the Patriots' combination of strong coaching, emerging offensive talent, and stout defense has contributed to their impressive 6-2 start.
The Titans suffered a 38-14 loss to the Colts, with key moments including Cam Ward's passing, a critical fourth-down punt that led to an 80-yard touchdown, a poor run defense allowing 153 yards and three touchdowns from Jonathan Taylor, and standout performances from rookie Gunnar Helm and Chimere Dike. The game highlighted areas for improvement, especially in run defense and decision-making on fourth downs.
Penn State lost 25-24 to Iowa in a game marked by a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar, leading to a challenging performance by backup Ethan Grunkemeyer. The team struggled with its run defense, allowing Iowa to average 6.8 yards per carry, but Kaytron Allen was a bright spot with 145 rushing yards. The game highlighted issues in Penn State's passing game and run defense, contributing to their first losing record since 2020.
Wisconsin's football team suffered a 37-0 home loss to Iowa, marked by undisciplined behavior, poor run defense allowing 210 yards and four touchdowns, and quarterback struggles with three turnovers, highlighting significant issues ahead of upcoming tough games.
The Detroit Lions' run defense struggled in their win over the Bears, allowing 134 rushing yards and highlighting issues like linebackers failing to set the edge and communication breakdowns. Despite some solid plays, these errors need fixing before facing the Ravens, as the Lions aim to restore their typically strong run defense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling defensively in the 2025 NFL season, particularly in stopping the run, with repeated failures to adjust their strategy despite clear evidence that opponents are attacking away from star linebacker TJ Watt. The coaching staff's slow response to these issues raises concerns about their ability to improve the team's performance early in the season.