Not trying to rain on our defensive parade, but the rain seemed to affect both QBs, particularly in the first half.
I do think the interceptions were not a lucky break but a consequence of our DBs being in the right place at the right time as well as a bit of disguising coverage. And we displayed better tackling too.
The interception were smart plays. One was a dumb play by Van Dyke, but even then it was smart defense
I saw some passes affected by the rain, but I think Miami’s team speed was a bigger factor. Unless the BC game is terrible, I think our improved play was the bigger factor on our side.
On defense, if one or two players don’t go all out, or make a bad play, the other nine or ten suffer. It doesn’t even have to be the same player every down.
Giving up long first downs will exhaust a defense.
Every defense is a “bend but don’t break” defense—the question is HOW much bend and how much break? If you tune it wrong, you either give up too many big plays or too many first downs.
Missed tackles weren’t that problem, though. A good tackle takes more effort each play, but it gets you off the field faster. Gang tackles mean everyone runs more on each play, but for fewer plays. I hope the coin dropped this weekend