This season has paid heavy attention to the dominant offenses like the LA Rams, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City. However, there's been minimal focus of the impact from the defensive spectrum. The passer, offenseline, and receiving group are clearly imperative to guide the game; However the defense often commands their control of the game by putting the pressure on the offense. Nearing playoffs, there are individual defense players that terrorize even the most composed offenses.
In the linebacker position alone, Leighton Vander Esch has stood out as defensive train. This rookie out of Boise State joined the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the draft, but had a slow start behind Sean Lee. After Sean Lee’s usual injury-per season, Vander Esch had to step up to prevent a hole at the LB position. In his recent game against the Falcons, Vander Esch had an interception and 8 combined tackles; 4 were solo tackles. Not to mention he is strategic in reading each play, and a huge threat that is always in motion. Vander Esch alone had a game turning interception against ATL, then in his game against Tampa Bay, Vander Esch had 15 tackles and 11 were solo tackles. Despite the disrespect from fan voting in the 2019 Pro Bowl, this rookie has made some big time plays that display how the defense keeps the opposing offense locked up.
From the Los Angeles Rams at the defensive tackle position is powerhouse, Aaron Donald. Donald is a player with absurd awareness at the line, and is reliable to own each play no matter how little potential the play may appear to have. There’s no convincing that Aaron Donald is a scare tactic to any quarterback. Donald had a stellar performance in the mind blowing game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The first noticeable aspect taken from that game were the hardy offenses on each team, but Aaron Donald’s strip sack on Patrick Mahomes lead to an immediate Rams touchdown. The defensive effort was almost overshadowed by the high score of the game. However, Aaron Donald had a major impact on keeping the Rams competing against the Chiefs; Donald had 2 major hits on Mahomes. Donald is an individual who can manage a loss of yards, tackles, and quarterback hits. Send it, Aaron Donald, send it.
Houston has likely one of the strongest Defensive ends in the league right now; J.J. Watt. Watt is well-known to rush the quarterback before he can get the ball out. He is another defensive player who executes as well as he instills fear in the offense. Even in tough losses like the week 3 loss to the Giants, Watt excels individually. Watt single-handedly gave Houston’s offense a better chance at maneuvering the direction of the game in their favor; He had 4 hits on Eli Manning, and 3 were sacks. J.J. Watt is a wholesome force who can get low and move swiftly and complete those electric plays. Despite an apparent elbow injury (that is being shrugged off), he will play in this Saturdays Wild Card round against the Indianapolis Colts. Andrew Luck is still reliable under pressure, and Watt brings an edge to Houston’s Defense which will be crucial to this game.
These are a just a few of the players this season that have lit up their defenses by holding the offense to a minimum. Granted, defense doesn’t always win games, but keep in mind the intensity that a solid defense brings to a great offense. While the argument of “defense does/does not win games” continues endlessly, look at each team’s defense players that align with a powerful offense to complete games.
Honorable mentions:
Khalil Mack: A defensive nightmare, enough said.
Jason Pierre-Paul from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an underrated threat in the Defensive-end position. He manages to get to the quarterback and even had 8 combined tackles against a steady New Orleans offense in Week 14.
Trey Flowers is a defensive terror who seems to have the perfect timing when he hits the quarterback. This is coming up to a contract season for the New England Patriots, this season may spice up his price tag.
Honest mention:
Jalen Ramsey is a good corner, but he is overrated within the league; While Deondre Hopkins can catch any ball within a 2 mile radius, Ramsey was beat and embarrassed by Hopkins on every run this past Sunday.
"The road to success runs uphill." - Willie Davis
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