I don't think Kliff is going anywhere, our Offense looks worse than it is simply because we're losing, but in statistical terms we're not doing too bad considering the trainwreck of injuries we've had.
Eckler gone very early, Jayden out for 4 games and counting, Terry in and out, McCaffrey out for the year, Noah out, the list goes on. I really do think you can factor in the whole 'Terry' distraction during pre-season too. I think it's had an impact on where this team is compared to last year.
Yet, were' still the number 13 scoring offense. Number 3 rushing offense. We're 13 in total yardage. 18 in yards per game.
Now, early season stats pad those numbers a bit, but Kliff has managed to somehow keep the offense afloat to a degree, but with all the injuries, a disaste of a defense, a harder schedule than a year ago, and a years tape on us, I don't think that's indefensibly bad.
The defense however... Ooof! Injuries are partly an excuse, but I don't think that covers everything in the slightest. We're bottom 5 in almost every single category.
Mariota isn't a star, but we still scored 22 this week, and probably should have been 24, except for the 2 pt conversions we missed. Which meant we did score on 4 of our 7 drives. Which isn't too bad all things considered.
However, our defense allowed Detroit to score on ALL 9 of their drives.
If we'd just been able to get some stops on D, then we could have maybe skewed that imbalance. Maybe got a couple of extra drives ourselves by getting some 3 and outs. If we could just have stopped them on 2 of their drives, we could have scored a potential 14 more points while maybe taking 14 off them. 2 drives could have been the difference between a 44-22 defeat and a 36-30 win. But our D leaves no room for error on offense.
I have faith we'll see more points score when Terry and (hopefully) Noah come back to pair with Jayden. Then we'll have WR threats and opponents won't be able to just stack the box.
But... I don't think we'll see much team success till next year now when we can get healthy, turn over some of the team, replace Whitt, and play an easier schedule again.
And hence I'm not sure if I see a bright finish for this Dolphins game. I'm hoping it'll be a shoot out to a degree and we might just edge them, but my expectations are for another loss. Albeit I think a closer one this time.
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