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Marvel movies? Passé. Don’t even think about the DCU. Today, we’re going deep into the only cinematic universe that matters — the SDCU (Scooby-Doo Cinematic Universe.)
In the age of studios frantically scrambling to make a quick buck on rebooting something old, it’s hard not to be cynical thinking about if we’ll ever see the end of this Sequel Era. But if you can believe it, there was a time when it was much, much worse. Especially in animation.
There’s no doubt that we’re now in a golden era of animated programming for kids. In the realm of television, you’re only a stones throw away (not literally, please don’t throw rocks at your TV) from unique premises, mind-blowing art, and deep, emotional storylines.
But it’s taken the industry a while to get it right. Or, in the case of these animation studios, it seemingly took 20 years to stop recreating the one thing they did get right.
And now (because no one asked)…
A complete (?) listing of every Hanna-Barbera/Ruby-Spears Scooby-Doo clone: a thread pic.twitter.com/VPGMfkPgfa
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
(@jongraywb) April 28, 2019
SEE ALSO: Mainline 90s nostalgia with the forgotten cartoon channels of YouTube
Jon Gray, an artist and writer who’s worked for Disney and Sonic the Hedgehog comics, recently dropped an intricate Twitter thread detailing the dark ages of Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears, the animation giants behind The Flintstones, Tom & Jerry, and of course, Scooby-Doo.
For the entirety of the late ’60s and ’70s, it seemed like they were either bafflingly incapable (or unwilling) of coming up with one singular good idea for a show that wasn’t an exact carbon copy of Scooby-Doo.
Gray describes it best, saying “H-B was notorious for cloning every successful idea they had eighty fold. Scooby was the most ridiculous example. My criteria for a clone is as simple as their shows: mystery solving and/or monsters with a pet. Sometimes one, the other, or both.”
Gray’s current count for Scooby-Doo clones is at 22, although he acknowledges he might’ve missed some just because of the sheer breadth of its content library. Here are our personal favorites:
*The Funky Phantom*
Scooby-Doo with a non-talking bulldog Scooby-Doo and ghosts who are the sidekicks (an effeminate revolutionary war ghost and his snickering ghost cat)One of several HB series animated in Australia which is why it looks so different than everything else. pic.twitter.com/ToRg62AFIU
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
*Speed Buggy*
Scooby-Doo but Scooby is the Mystery Machine is & Shaggy is his mechanic.NOTE: Mark, Fred’s expy, is supposed to be Native American (revealed in an interview?) but you’d never know it b/c it’s never mentioned in the show & his skin is only darker in a crossover. pic.twitter.com/BGBtGexrtj
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
*Jabberjaw*
Scooby-Doo but the setting is “Underwater Jetsons”, the kids are all in a band, the girls are transplants from Josie (minus Valerie) but w/ Fred & Shaggy expies & Scooby-Doo is now a shark that’s also Curly from the Three StoogesI mean, Damn
Jabberjaw is a *LOT*
pic.twitter.com/QOt01ME0WS
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
*The Buford Files*
Scooby-Doo in the Deep South with bumbling small town cops. Also Scooby-Doo is a lethargic confederate bloodhound with an occasional girlfriend.15 min shorts that were always paired with The Galloping Ghost. Show description on the second picture. A mess lol pic.twitter.com/LBslMJPn7x
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
*Casper and the Angels*
Scooby-Doo but it’s Casper the Friendly Ghost EXCEPT the Ghostly Trio is now Hairy Scary (a hairy ghost who likes Casper), the cast is all girls (who are space cops) & the setting is The JetsonsThis and the next might be the biggest “wtf?!?” on the list. pic.twitter.com/IxYWtDwBUO
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
*The New Shmoo*
Scooby-Doo but the kids work for a comic book company & Scooby-Doo is now the Shmoo.For whatever ungodly reason the Shmoo from Li’l Abner became STUPID popular so H-B shoved him into everything from a blatant Scooby clone to having it meet the Flintstones TWICE. pic.twitter.com/We16hqY2rJ
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
*Fangface/Fangface & Fangpuss* [RS]
Scooby-Doo but now Shaggy turns into Scooby-Doo who is also a werewolf.It’s highly ironic that when Ruby-Spears split from Hanna-Barbera to form their own studio their first cartoon was a Scooby clone. Fangface
Is so blatant a clone that… pic.twitter.com/4WHlxPIlJ9
— Jonathan H. Gray @ TCAF
By the early ’80s, Gray writes, the Saturday morning Scooby-Doo clones had fallen out of favor, with the last one officially being A Pup Named Scooby-Doo in 1988. We can’t possibly imagine why. The viewing public’s appetite for H-B’s main cash cow wouldn’t arise again until the next Scooby-Doo movie, 10 years later.
It’s mind-boggling to think about how one behemoth could dominate an entire industry by just flooding it with knock-offs of its main property. OK, maybe it’s not that unbelievable. All you really need is one profitable idea and the belief that kids will watch damn near anything that’s put in front of them. Alex Hirsch, creator of a little show called Gravity Falls, described this era best.
The 70’s were the animation dark ages, a coked-out whirlwind of talking dune buggies, dogs with neck ties, and teens in groovy bands. Every shark had a tambourine and every sherif was a ghost. And we haven’t even mentioned these bastards yet: pic.twitter.com/iekwpPMeLx
— Alex Hirsch (@_AlexHirsch) April 28, 2019
But even the shows that were blatant cash grabs with awful concepts that took one collective corporate brain cell to produce are still nostalgic for someone. The only redeemable quality of these shows may lie in the fact that they were the best part of some kid’s Saturday morning.
It’s no mystery that the animation industry is clearly much better off now without these ripoffs, though. We may be stuck in an endless loop of reboots (both good and bad), but creativity abounds in the shows recognizing that kids are more intelligent than previous animation studios gave them credit for.
So let’s send off the gangs of meddling kids (and their dogs, or ghosts, or shark) that came before. They’ve solved enough mysteries to entertain a generation.
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Monty Williams is a head coach again, as the Phoenix Suns officially hired him on Friday.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Williams has agreed to a five-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Williams is currently an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to joining Philadelphia, he worked as the San Antonio Spurs‘ vice president of basketball operations. Before that, he was an associate head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015-16.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Williams will remain with the 76ers until the end of their playoff run.
At the only head coaching stop of his career to date, Williams compiled a 173-221 record in five seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, helping the franchise reach the NBA playoffs in 2011 and 2015. The Pelicans were eliminated in the first round on both occasions.
His record is somewhat deceiving, though, as New Orleans underwent a significant change a year after he arrived. Then the New Orleans Hornets, they traded Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2011.
That deal effectively started a full-scale rebuild. Even after New Orleans selected Anthony Davis first overall in the 2012 draft, turning the team into a playoff contender in the Western Conference was a years-long process.
Williams showed off his coaching acumen when he helped lead the Pelicans to 45 victories in 2014-15. The team fired him after that season, and it was three years before New Orleans returned to the postseason and eclipsed that win total.
Player relations were an area of strength for Williams as well.
“He’s almost like a father figure in some ways,” said Los Angeles Clippers guard Landry Shamet, who played briefly for Williams in Philadelphia, per Brian Seltzer of the Sixers’ official site. “He’s just very good at keeping me sane, and even-keeled.”
Of course, the Pelicans still had their issues under Williams, namely on defense. The Hornets were ninth in defensive rating (102.5) in 2010-11 and ranked 16th (102.3), 28th (107.6), 25th (107.3) and 22nd (104.7) over the next four seasons, according to NBA.com.
New Orleans never finished higher than 22nd in three-pointers per game, either, so he’ll need to adapt his approach to cater more to the NBA’s emphasis on spacing the floor.
While Williams isn’t the kind of home-run hire that will receive universal praise in Phoenix, he’s a sensible replacement for Igor Kokoskov. He helped lead the Pelicans through a transitional phase and left them in a far better place than they had been following the Paul trade.
The allure of the Suns is obvious.
Devin Booker only turns 23 in October and is under contract through the 2023-24 season. Luka Doncic and Trae Young overshadowed Deandre Ayton this season, but the No. 1 overall pick still averaged a solid 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks.
Phoenix will have another talented young player coming through the 2019 draft as well. The team owns the best odds of landing the No. 1 draft pick (14 percent) along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
But you have to balance that against the general dysfunction that has plagued the franchise under owner Robert Sarver. Since Mike D’Antoni’s departure in 2008, Phoenix has hired five different head coaches. Kokoskov lasted only one season before the Suns moved on.
Williams might prove to be a great fit for the Suns’ young roster, but the organization’s problems start at the top. Until Sarver takes steps to address his handling of the team, building any confidence in Phoenix’s long-term direction is tough.
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Joe Biden (middle) his son Hunter Biden, and his sister Valerie Biden Owens in 2016. Recent attacks on the former vice president pivot off the lucrative business activities of his son during the Obama administration. | Visar Kryeziu/AP Photo
Clinton veterans say the attacks on Hunter Biden are giving them painful flashbacks to 2016.
President Donald Trump’s political allies and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani have begun mobilizing to cast a legal cloud over Joe Biden and demanding that the Justice Department should open an investigation that could ensnare the former vice president as he launches his 2020 presidential bid.
“Biden conflicts are too apparent to be ignored and should be investigated quickly and expeditiously,” Giuliani tweeted Thursday morning.
Story Continued Below
The suggestion of illegal behavior and the specter of putting a political opponent behind bars sounded familiar to some senior campaign aides to Hillary Clinton, who believe Trump and his allies are running a version of their “Crooked Hillary” playbook from 2016.
“Last time, he had the right-wing conspiracy media to boost his chants of “lock her up,” but this time he’s going to actually weaponize the federal government against our nominee,” said Jesse Ferguson, a senior spokesperson on the Clinton campaign.
The attacks on Biden pivot off the lucrative business activities of his son Hunter during the Obama administration, most notably Hunter’s work on the board of a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma Holdings. As part of a long campaign to pressure Ukraine to combat corruption in 2015 and 2016, then-Vice President Biden leveraged financial aid to the country in order to convince the government to fire the country’s top prosecutor.
That prosecutor, who had been roundly criticized by the international community for corruption, had been investigating Burisma at the time.
The unseemly optics of Biden’s son appearing to benefit financially from his father’s diplomacy were reported by the New York Times in 2015, though Biden’s office has long maintained that Hunter’s work had no bearing on the Vice President’s approach to Ukraine. But the story has slowly re-emerged over the past year — largely on the right and in conservative media — as a Biden presidential run appeared increasingly likely.
It exploded again on Wednesday night when the New York Times reported that Giuliani has met with Ukraine’s new prosecutor general, Yuriy Lutsenko, multiple times this year and has discussed the Burisma case with him and the prosecutor Biden helped oust, Viktor Shokin. Lutsenko reopened the investigation into Bursima earlier this year. Giuliani also told the Times that he has discussed the Biden-Ukraine case with Trump himself.
Giuliani has been suggesting that the Biden case must be investigated as part of the larger inquiry into the origins of the Russia investigation, which may involve Ukraine. In a Fox News interview in early April, Giuliani spoke at length about the Biden case but said it was only because of broader questions about the Russia investigation.
“I’m bringing it up now because I want Ukraine — I don’t care about Joe Biden. I want that Ukraine investigated,” he said. “Because I think in the Ukraine, we are going to find a lot of answers for how the Steele dossier was put together.” Attorney General William Barr told Congress this week that he is looking into the origins of the Russia investigation.
Asked if Biden’s team was worried about a federal investigation, the former vice president’s campaign declined to comment. Trump has fixated on Biden over the past week, tweeting and retweeting about him far more than any other potential 2020 rival. That included a retweet of the Times’ Ukraine story.
Hunter Biden could not be reached for comment, but he told the Times in a statement, “I have had no role whatsoever in relation to any investigation of Burisma, or any of its officers … I explicitly limited my role to focus on corporate governance best practices to facilitate Burisma’s desire to expand globally.”
The uproar hasn’t come as a total surprise to Biden-world. In the run-up to his announcement, Joe Biden fretted to confidantes that Hunter would become a campaign-trail issue. Aside from critical reports concerning Hunter Biden’s business arrangements in Ukraine as well as China, he has been a tabloid favorite for his reported cocaine use and for leaving his wife for his brother’s widow, who is a friend of Michelle Obama, according to the New York Post, which also reported this week that Hunter Biden broke up with his brother’s widow just in time for his father’s campaign launch.
Some veterans of Democratic presidential campaigns see echoes of 2016 in the way the story had staying power in the conservative media ecosystem and then gradually re-emerged into the mainstream.
“It’s happening all over again,” tweeted former Obama aide Dan Pfeiffer. “Peter Schweizer does oppo research funded by conservative interests –> NYT credulously writes it up –> Trump and his allies bully the DOJ into investigating –> Trump claims his opponent is corrupt.”
“If you think this is oppo from @peterschweizer or @RudyGiuliani, you did not read the story very carefully,” the story’s author, Ken Vogel, responded.
Schweizer also responded to Pfeiffer on Twitter. “It’s called investigative journalism not oppo research,” he wrote. “What facts to do dispute?”
Schweizer, a conservative journalist, published Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends in 2018, a book looking at potential corruption of Republican and Democratic establishment figures. On the cover, Biden features prominently and is joined by Barack Obama, Mitch McConnell, Jared Kushner and John Kerry. The book dedicates significant portions to Hunter Biden’s private-sector work, including in Ukraine.
Schweizer is the author of the 2015 book Clinton Cash with the encouragement of Breitbart’s Steve Bannon. He is also the president of the Government Accountability Institute, a group funded by the Mercer family — which also bankrolled Breitbart at the time of Clinton Cash. The book was ultimately cited in a large investigation by The New York Times about a Russia uranium deal and a subsequent story about the Clinton Foundation’s work in Haiti.
“The Times’ hand-in-glove arrangement with Steve Bannon’s Clinton Cash project was one of the major press fiascos of the 2016 cycle,” said the Clinton campaign’s Brian Fallon, who took the lead on responding to many of the Clinton Cash questions during the campaign. “It is mind-blowing and journalistically reckless that the Times is going down this road again. The Times is making itself an accomplice to a scheme whereby Trump likely intends to put his potential Democratic opponent under federal investigation for partisan reasons.”
Schweizer said he did not speak to the Times about the Biden story and defended his reporting to POLITICO. “Hunter Biden’s international business dealings—from China to Ukraine—deserve scrutiny,” he said. “The Times coverage is likely to make this topic a centerpoint of the 2020 campaign.”
And that may be true, at least on the right. The story spread far and wide across conservative media Thursday. One Breitbart headline read: “NYT Confirms Hunter Biden Was Paid by Ukrainians While Father Was VP.” One America News Network published a story headlined “Giuliani: Biden’s Conflicts Of Interest, Alleged Corruption Must Be Probed.” Laura Ingraham had Schweizer on her Fox News show.
“The left is also blame-shifting on a story we’ve covered extensively on Ingraham Angle,” said Ingraham. “The Biden family’s sketchy ties to Ukraine.”
The Kremlin-backed news agency RT also has been playing up the Biden-Ukraine connection, publishing a story in early April headlined “Joe Biden’s past strong-arming in Ukraine is coming back to haunt him.”
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Image: Dell
PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
If you own a Dell laptop or desktop then there’s a very good chance your machine is vulnerable to attack simply by visiting a malicious website. The good news is, Dell has released a patch to close the security hole.
As ZDNet reports, 17-year-old security researcher Bill Demirkapi discovered a vulnerability (CVE-2019-3719) in the Dell SupportAssist utility which allows an attacker to remote execute code. This is achieved by getting a user to visit a specific website containing JavaScript code capable of tricking the SupportAssist app into downloading and running malicious files (with full admin rights). Importantly, no user interaction is required once the website has been visited and the JavaScript can be hidden inside an ad on a legitimate website.
Here’s the remote code execution in action as recorded by Demirkapi:
Dell uses SupportAssist to pro-actively check the health of your hardware and software and then automatically updates each system as necessary. As you’ve probably guessed, it’s a piece of software that gets pre-installed on most new Dell systems, meaning there’s a lot of users out there potentially vulnerable to this attack.
Dell has known about the vulnerability since Oct. 26 last year and a patched version of SupportAssist (v3.2.0.90) is now available which closes the security hole. If you own a Dell which has SupportAssist installed, download and install the new version as soon as possible to protect your system.
This article originally published at PCMag
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How much space is left on your iOS device? Do you hit a wall whenever you try to update your OS or download new apps? What’s the best way to move files you want to keep in order to free up space? And how can you make smart decisions about what to keep and what to delete? Follow these few simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to a less overloaded, more organized iPhone or iPad.
First you’re going to want to assess how much space you have. Go to Settings > General > [device] Storage. At the top, you’ll see a color-coded bar chart that outlines how much space certain categories of apps are taking up on your device.
Image: screenshot/pcmag
You don’t need to understand these numbers deeply. To update iOS, you’ll want to have up to 5GB of free space. If you simply want to have enough free space so you can take new photos and install new apps without worrying about hitting an obstacle, give yourself at least 2GB of free space.
Note that when you add your available space and the used space, they won’t add up to the total size of your phone because it doesn’t include the space being used by the operating system.
If you continue to scroll down under Storage, you’ll see a list of all your apps, in order of how much space they consume.
Select any app, and a new page shows the usage in two parts: the amount of space the app itself uses (in light gray at the top) and the space used by the app’s data and documents. For example, the Podcasts app shown takes up 1.63GB total: 25.3MB for the app and 1.6GB for documents and data.
Image: SCREENSHOT/PCMAG
On that device storage page, look for apps you don’t use. It’s much easier to do this here than on your home screens, where apps are likely to be scattered across several pages and bunched into folders.
Image: SCREENSHOT/PCMAG
If you find apps you don’t need, tap them and select Delete App. Any app you’ve purchased is always available to re-download again at no extra charge from the App Store.
To delete apps from the home screen, place your finger on an app you want to delete and hold. Apps will start to wiggle and a small X appears on each icon. Press the X, and confirm to delete. To stop the wiggling, press the home button on devices that have it or tap “Done” on the top-right for those that do not.
If you want to temporarily disable an app without deleting its settings, like when you have to free up space to install an iOS update, Apple lets you offload them. They’ll remain on your home screen, but you’ll need to tap to re-download to get back in. Find the app on the storage list, tap it, and select Offload App.
You can also set up the automatic removal of apps you don’t use often. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Offload Unused Apps and tap Enable.
The Photos app often takes up a lot more space than people realize, so let’s deal with that app directly. Under Settings > General > [device] Storage, find Photos to see how much storage it’s using. If you have more than 1GB here, you should consider copying photos and videos to a cloud storage service so you can delete them from your device.
If you have a Google account, an easy option here is Google Photos. Download the app, sign in, and tap the hamburger menu () . Select Settings > Back up & syncand toggle Back up & sync to on. Make sure Google Photos has access to Photos (Settings > Google Photos > Photos) and then, every photo you take with your device will be automatically backed up to Google Photos when you’re online and accessible across your devices and on the web. Google offers unlimited photo storage via Google Photos, but only if you agree to compress photos to 16MP. Otherwise, photo uploads count against your Google account storage.
Image: SCREENSHOT/PCMAG
You can also offload your iPhone photos via Dropbox or any cloud-based syncing and storage service you like. Ideally you want the service to have a mobile upload feature in its iPhone app, as Dropbox does.
Once iPhone photos have uploaded to your cloud service of choice—double- and triple-check that they’re there—delete them from the Photos app. Then navigate to Albums > Recently Deleted. Tap Select, and then at the bottom tap Delete All. If you skip that last step, you won’t free up any space for a month, as your iOS device hangs on to deleted photos for 30 days, just in case you change your mind.
You can also choose to keep lower-resolution photos on your phone while allowing the full-resolution ones to remain in iCloud. Go to Settings > Photos > Optimize iPhone Storage and make sure it has a checkmark next to it.
Photo Stream is a seamless way to share photos across iOS devices. Activate it on your Apple devices, and any time they are on the same Wi-Fi network, photos taken from one device, like your iPhone, will appear on the others, like your iPad.
Image: SCREENSHOT/PCMAG
It’s a handy feature, but Apple allows up to 25,000 My Photo Stream uploads per month, so it can eat up space. If storing your photos on one device is enough for you, turn Photo Stream off by going to Settings > Photos > Upload to My Photo Stream and toggle it off.
Multimedia, such as audio tracks and videos, takes up a lot of space. There are two ways to delete audio files and videos.
Go to Settings > General > [device] Storage > Music. At the bottom will be a summary of all the songs and albums you have stored on your phone. Delete albums or tracks you don’t listen to by swiping left. You can also use the Edit button to delete multiple tracks and albums in one shot.
Image: SCREENSHOT/PCMAG
Open the Music app. Go to Library > Downloaded Music, where you’ll see music that’s stored locally and taking up space. If you want to delete an entire album, press on it and a pop-up menu will include a “Delete from Library” option. You can do the same for specific songs within an album; tap “Remove.”
If you want to put the music back on your device, open the Music app and tap Library. Find the song or album you want and re-download it by tapping the cloud-arrow icon on the right.
If you want to have thousands of tracks at your disposal, use a music-streaming service like Spotify. If you’re a Premium subscriber, however, keep an eye on how much you download for offline use. Storing all those playlists on your device can quickly eat up space.
Unless you like to hang onto conversations for sentimental (or legal) reasons, delete all “running late” or “what do you want for dinner?” texts to free up some space. If you like to live dangerously, set texts to automatically delete. Go to Settings > Messages > Message History and choose to keep messages for 30 days or one year.
One final smidgen of junk to wipe off your iPhone or iPad is the cache for the Safari web browser or other mobile web browsers you use. For Safari, go to Settings > Safari. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
For Chrome on iOS, open the app, tap the three dots on the bottom-right corner and select History. Then tap Clear Browsing Data to wipe everything out or Edit to erase specific sites. You can also navigate to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data, which will let you delete browsing history, cookies and site data, cached images and files, saved passwords, and autofill data—or everything at once.
This article originally published at PCMag
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Tesla has added two new safety features that make sure you stay in your lane, even if you don’t have Autopilot on.
Instead of merely warning you — like the Lane Departure Warning feature — the new features, called Lane Departure Avoidance and Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance, take active measures to make sure you stay in your lane.
SEE ALSO: Tesla’s new video shows a Model 3 driving itself like it’s no big deal
Lane Departure Avoidance, when enabled, will apply corrective steering to make sure the car stays in the intended lane. If the driver starts departing a lane without switching the turn signal on, and if the driver’s hands are not on the wheel, the feature will also start alerting the driver that the car is departing the lane. Finally, if Traffic Aware Cruise Control is in use, and the driver’s hands are “repeatedly” not detected on the wheel, the car will slow down to 15 miles below the speed limit, and turn the hazard lights on.
Lane Departure Avoidance works at speeds between 25 and 90 mph and can be turned on or off at will.
The other new feature is Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance, which will steer the car back into the driving lane if the system detects the car is departing its lane and that there could be a collision, or the car is close to the edge of the road.
Image: Tesla
Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance is on by default at the beginning of every drive, but it can be turned off for a single drive in the Autopilot Controls menu.
The cool thing about these new features is that, while they’re based on the same tech as Autopilot, they work without Autopilot (which, until recently, was an optional purchase).
The new features will be gradually added to all Tesla cars built after October 2016, starting with Model 3 and expanding to other models. The over-the-air update is free of charge.
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Stacy Revere/Getty Images
While it’s true the NFL is a passing league, a strong defense gives teams a legitimate shot to reach the postseason. For some spectators, a 16-10 game isn’t appealing, but the clubs that consistently win slugfests can take that play style anywhere—in any type of weather—and pull out victories.
Last year, seven of the top 10 scoring defenses clinched playoff berths. Two of those units played alongside bottom-four offenses that made it difficult to win low-scoring battles.
Following the draft, we’ll rank all 32 defenses. Several factors went into the listing.
Past trends provide clues for what’s ahead, but projection matters, especially with an incoming rookie class loaded with defensive talent. The impact of stars, rising playmakers and depth are also significant factors.
Lastly, there’s coaching. An experienced defensive coordinator with a good track record will receive the benefit of the doubt over a first-year play-caller between teams with comparable roster talent.
Going from worst to first, which defensive group sits atop the rankings?
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Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon ConleyBill Nichols/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 32
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 26
The Oakland Raiders don’t have an elite defender. Based on performance and upside, cornerback Gareon Conley is the best player in this group. He’s only suited up for 17 career games but took a major developmental step forward last year, logging three interceptions and a team-leading 15 pass breakups.
Beyond Conley, there’s a scarcity in proven high-impact talent. Nose tackle Justin Ellis can stop the run, but he’s not a pocket-pusher and will likely play in a rotational role. Linebacker Brandon Marshall heads over from the Denver Broncos following a knee injury and an ineffective season.
According to Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Michael Gehlken, the Raiders plan to use defensive back Lamarcus Joyner in the slot, though he had his best season at free safety with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
For the most part, Oakland will rely on upside. Interior tackle Maurice Hurst led the team with four sacks last season. If his heart condition doesn’t cause him issues, he’ll have another solid year. The Raiders drafted edge-rusher Clelin Ferrell (fourth pick), safety Johnathan Abram (27th pick) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (40th pick) as foundational pieces of a revamped unit.
The Raiders have a young defense that’s still in transition and have much hope but little certainty.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge-rusher Jason Pierre-PaulMichael Ainsworth/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 31
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 27
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired a new coaching staff, and according to The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi, veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is on the trade block.
It’s common for a new staff to move, release and trade assets amid schematic changes. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will implement more 3-4 looks—similar to what he did in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 and ’14 and the New York Jets as their head coach over the last four years.
Barring an unforeseen transaction, the Buccaneers will have Jason Pierre-Paul on the edge; he led the team in sacks with 12.5 in 2018. Rookie first-rounder Devin White will likely pair with Lavonte David at linebacker; the veteran’s coverage production dropped in recent seasons, but he’s a solid chase-down defender.
The Buccaneers also added hybrid linebacker-safety Deone Bucannon. He’s familiar with Bowles, dating back to his rookie season of 2014.
Tampa Bay’s defense has a ton of upside but lacks proven components other than Pierre-Paul, David and McCoy (if he stays). A slew of cornerbacks, including Carlton Davis, M.J. Stewart and Ryan Smith will battle for snaps with second- and third-round rookies Sean Bunting and Jamel Dean.
The Buccaneers’ schematic shift brings more questions than answers, though.
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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby WagnerRob Leiter/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 11
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 16
The Seattle Seahawks have Bobby Wagner, arguably the game’s best middle linebacker, but head coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. don’t have many high-end players around him. Tackle Jarran Reed (26), who put together a breakout 2018 season with 10.5 sacks, and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (23) are the young playmakers.
Linebacker K.J. Wright and safety Bradley McDougald can provide veteran experience and solid play in the back seven. The former has to stay healthy, though; he underwent a knee scope last offseason and only suited up for five games in 2018.
The Seahawks traded defensive end Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs and dealt a major blow to the front line. Since 2016, he’s logged 32 sacks; his absence may allow offensive linemen to double-team Reed on the interior. Rookie first-rounder L.J. Collier flashed as a pass-rusher at TCU but played in a rotational role for most of his collegiate career.
Seattle extended quarterback Russell Wilson‘s deal for four years and $140 million and had to sacrifice its pass rush. As expected, the team lost a ball hawk in safety Earl Thomas during free agency. Opposing quarterbacks should be able to avoid Wagner in the middle of the field and feast on the secondary with ample time in the pocket.
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Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien HowardMark Brown/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 27
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 29
The Miami Dolphins have ample talent on the back end. The secondary features two Pro Bowlers in cornerback Xavien Howard and safety Reshad Jones. The former tied with Kyle Fuller and Damontae Kazee for a league-leading seven interceptions in 2018.
Despite giving up yards and points in bunches, the Dolphins ranked second in interceptions (21). Four players snagged at least three picks: linebacker Kiko Alonso, safety T.J. McDonald, Jones and Howard.
It’s difficult to sustain a high rate of interceptions, though. Random tipped balls and quarterback play also factor into those opportunities. Also, the Dolphins have a weak defensive line, which may lead to more time for opposing passers in the pocket.
Rookie first-rounder Christian Wilkins has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowler, but there’s no help around him. The Dolphins let defensive end Cameron Wake go in free agency and traded pass-rusher Robert Quinn to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2020 sixth-rounder. Charles Harris, a 2017 first-rounder, hasn’t shown much on the end, recording three sacks in 27 contests.
In addition, Miami has a new coaching staff. Head coach Brian Flores hired Patrick Graham as his defensive coordinator. They have to figure out how to utilize the versatile talent in the secondary.
Minkah Fitzpatrick and Bobby McCain moved around last year; both lined up at slot cornerback and on the outside. Fitzpatrick also played safety.
For Flores and Graham, it’s a good problem to have, but failure to optimize skill sets could limit coverage on the back end.
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New York Giants cornerback Janoris JenkinsSteven Ryan/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 23
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 24
The Dolphins have more proven talent than the New York Giants, but defensive coordinator James Bettcher has the edge in play-calling experience. Secondly, he oversaw three top-six defenses in yards allowed with the Cardinals.
Last year, the Giants had a mix of younger players and veterans contribute in a new system. B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson are solid interior pieces. The former logged 5.5 sacks last year in his rookie campaign; the latter has been stout against the run over the last two seasons.
Inside linebacker Alec Ogletree notched five interceptions and eight pass breakups. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins had a team-high 15 pass breakups and two picks.
The Giants used a variety of resources to fill holes on each level of the defense. General manager Dave Gettleman signed edge-rusher Markus Golden and safety Antoine Bethea—two familiar faces who played for Bettcher in Arizona.
Gettleman landed safety Jabrill Peppers in the trade involving wideout Odell Beckham Jr. and used the Cleveland Browns’ picks in that deal to select defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence 17th overall and pass-rusher Oshane Ximines 95th. Big Blue also moved up to the 30th spot for cornerback Deandre Baker.
On the downside, the Giants lost key veterans. They traded the team’s 2018 sack leader, Olivier Vernon, to the Browns. Safety Landon Collins inked a six-year, $84 million deal with the Washington Redskins.
The Giants desperately need their young talent to develop into solid starters at the edge-rusher, outside and slot cornerback spots.
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard ShermanThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 28
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 13
The San Francisco 49ers made a concerted effort to bolster the front seven. General manager John Lynch signed linebacker Kwon Alexander, sent his 2020 second-round pick to the Chiefs for edge-rusher Dee Ford and selected defensive end Nick Bosa with the No. 2 overall pick.
Based on those acquisitions alone, the 49ers run defense and pass rush should show vast improvement. Bosa, Ford and interior tackle DeForest Buckner could become a dominant trio in the trenches.
Still, injuries and inconsistency give reasons to hedge bets. Bosa only played three games last season for Ohio State because of a core muscle injury, which required surgery. Ford has two double-digit sack seasons in five years. Alexander suffered a torn ACL in October.
Aside from cornerback Richard Sherman, who’s going into his age-31 season, the secondary needs consistency at just about every other position.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon’s production took a step back last year. Safety Jaquiski Tartt has missed 15 games since 2016 because of a broken forearm and shoulder injury. Versatile defensive back Jimmie Ward has played through a full 16-game schedule once in five seasons.
The 49ers may continue to have major issues with their secondary. Last year, the defense ranked 31st in passing touchdowns allowed.
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Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno AtkinsRoger Steinman/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 30
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 32
The Cincinnati Bengals defense should seemingly rank higher. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap is a two-time Pro Bowler. Interior tackle Geno Atkins has put together a pair of All-Pro seasons. Sam Hubbard and Carl Lawson, who suffered a torn ACL last September, will keep the pass rush fresh in rotation.
The secondary features three first-round picks at cornerback: Dre Kirkpatrick (2012), Darqueze Dennard (2014) and William Jackson III (2016). Safeties Shawn Williams and Jessie Bates III combined for eight interceptions last season.
The decorated resumes, draft pedigree and solid numbers didn’t amount to strong results following former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s departure to Oakland, though. In 2018, under play-caller Teryl Austin, the unit struggled, causing his dismissal.
The Bengals parted ways with head coach Marvin Lewis and hired first-year head coach Zac Taylor, who added defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Both are inexperienced in their roles. In 2015, with the Dolphins, Anarumo held the interim play-caller spot after he took over for defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle.
Anarumo has a skilled group, but the former defensive backs coach must mold the talent into a solid defense. It’s a tough task for a first-year full-time play-caller under a rookie head coach.
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris JonesJamie Squire/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 24
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 31
At No. 25, the Kansas City Chiefs also have a new play-caller. The team hired Steve Spagnuolo to replace Bob Sutton, who will shift the unit to a 4-3 base alignment.
Kansas City lost four notable defensive players. Cornerback Steven Nelson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team traded edge-rusher Dee Ford to the 49ers. The Chiefs also released pass-rusher Justin Houston and safety Eric Berry, who’s suited up for just three regular-season games since 2016 because of an ailing Achilles.
General manager Brett Veach acquired Frank Clark to restock defensive end. The former Seahawk will pair with interior tackle Chris Jones for a strong inside-outside pass-rush combo.
Kansas City signed Tyrann Mathieu to a three-year, $42 million contract. The versatile safety should patch up coverage on tight ends and chase down pass-catching ball-carriers. It’s a much-needed addition; the team allowed a combined 125.5 receiving yards per game to tight ends and running backs, per Football Outsiders.
The Chiefs hope to see cornerback Bashaud Breeland produce in a full season after a seven-game 2018 campaign with the Green Bay Packers. Fellow cover man Kendall Fuller has a lock on the slot position.
Spagnuolo needs more from the linebacker corps, which struggled with coverage in the middle of the field last year. Although Mathieu can help in that area, experienced quarterbacks will attempt to isolate Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland in space.
On the back end, rookie second-rounder Juan Thornhill has to impress during training camp to fill the safety spot next to Mathieu.
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Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke KuechlyBrett Carlsen/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 19
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 15
According to Charlotte Observer‘s Jourdan Rodrigue, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera will continue to call defensive plays. He took that responsibility in December amid a seven-game losing streak last season. The defense allowed 26-plus points three times in that stretch.
Rivera may feel the urgency to save his job going into his ninth season at the helm. He’ll experiment with 3-4 looks featuring rookie first-rounder Brian Burns, per ESPN.com’s David Newton.
“The Panthers hope those qualities, as well as Burns’ ability to play end in a 4-3 scheme and outside linebacker in a 3-4, will bolster a pass rush that ranked 27th in the NFL in sacks last season, as coach Ron Rivera makes a defensive transition to more odd-man fronts,” Newton wrote.
The personnel variation should help revitalize interior tackle Dontari Poe, who had little impact on the defensive line last year.
Following Julius Peppers’ retirement, defensive end Mario Addison and Burns will spearhead the pass rush off the edge. Perhaps Kawann Short can generate consistent pressure on the inside similar to his 2015-17 run with 24.5 sacks. He took a step back in that category with three in 2018.
The Panthers have All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly in the middle to stabilize the defense. The team released Thomas Davis, so there’s added pressure on Shaq Thompson to develop into a consistent playmaker.
On the back end, there are question marks at safety and slot cornerback. According to Rodrigue, Rivera will give 2018 third-rounder Rashaan Gaulden a chance to start at either position, but he’s an unknown after a quiet rookie campaign.
The Panthers’ experiment with more 3-4 alignments could backfire. They have the talent to ease in variety, but it’s fair to wonder if they’ll generate enough pocket pressure to help the secondary. In 2018, Carolina ranked 27th in passing touchdowns allowed and sacks.
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Arizona Cardinals edge-rusher Chandler JonesChristian Petersen/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 26
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 20
Although the Arizona Cardinals have a new coaching staff, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will work with multiple high-production players.
Chandler Jones seems like an overlooked star; he’s recorded the most sacks (41) since 2016. The team added edge-rusher Terrell Suggs, who’s still a viable threat near the pocket. They could become a strong pass-rushing duo.
General manager Steve Keim acquired Robert Alford to fill the No. 2 cornerback spot opposite All-Pro cover man Patrick Peterson. Safeties D.J. Swearinger Sr. and Budda Baker will provide a good mix of coverage and solid tackling at the position. The former returns to Arizona for a second stint. He’s picked off 11 passes in the last three years.
On the second level, linebacker Jordan Hicks can support the run and disrupt the passing game on underneath routes.
Joseph has the cumulative talent to turn this group into a competitive bunch. If the coaching staff develops cornerback Byron Murphy, defensive lineman Zach Allen and Deionte Thompson into first-year starters, this unit should surprise some opponents.
On the other hand, in three combined years as a defensive coordinator in Miami and head coach for the Broncos, Joseph has fielded groups that have ranked 13th or worse in points allowed.
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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. WattTim Warner/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 4
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 12
Houston Texans defense will struggle because of losses and uncertainties in the secondary.
The team allowed defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson to walk during free agency. They combined for 25 pass breakups and four interceptions last year. Andre Hal’s retirement also hurts the pass defense. He missed a portion of the 2018 campaign because of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma but logged three interceptions in eight games.
Aaron Colvin had an uneventful first year in Houston; he finished with one pass breakup in 10 contests. The team recently acquired Bradley Roby, who experienced ups and downs on the perimeter with the Broncos. One of them will play opposite 35-year-old Johnathan Joseph—an average starter.
Safety Justin Reid could develop into a ball hawk. Next to him, Tashaun Gipson hopes to rebound from a down year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans will need pass-rushers Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt at their best for a 16-game slate to disrupt passing attacks. The former hasn’t signed his franchise tag, and the team may consider dealing him before the season, per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (h/t ProFootballTalk).
Watt returned to All-Pro form after he missed 24 games in 2016 and 2017 with a herniated disc and a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg. If he shows decline or misses games, opposing quarterbacks will have time to tee off on average secondary with new faces.
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Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron DonaldPaul Sancya/Associated Press
2018 Points Allowed Rank: No. 20
2018 Yards Allowed Rank: No. 19
Last offseason, the Los Angeles Rams signed star defensive tackle Aaron Donald to a six-year, $135 million extension. Team brass want to extend its top cornerback, Marcus Peters, as well, per the Rams’ official site.
At times, Peters may have a clunker, struggling in coverage. Saints head coach Sean Payton said he liked a November matchup between the All-Pro cornerback and wideout Michael Thomas. The plan worked out for New Orleans, as Thomas exploded for 211 yards on 12 catches.
Overall, Peters’ gambles have paid off, though. He’s snagged 22 interceptions over the last four seasons—the most in that span. The four-year veteran hasn’t played at an elite level since 2016, but he’s still a high-end cover man.
Alongside Peters, Aqib Talib remains serviceable. The savvy veteran knows how to use physicality to his advantage, but he’s past his prime. Eric Weddle is also approaching his career sunset. In 2018, the 34-year-old had his worst statistical season with three pass breakups and zero interceptions with the Baltimore Ravens.
Safety John Johnson possesses the tools to become a rising star. He’s a reliable tackler, supports the run defense and covers downfield. The 2017 third-rounder notched a team-high four interceptions in his sophomore term.
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has to figure out how to optimize the talent in the front seven around Donald. The front office likely won’t re-sign nose tackle Ndamukong Suh, which adds pressure on the star interior pass-rusher to beat double- and triple-teams. Dante Fowler Jr. has to produce on the edge; he inked a one-year, prove-it deal in March.
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New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron JordanChris Graythen/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 14
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 14
The New Orleans Saints have two high-caliber defenders ready to suit up for Week 1: defensive end Cameron Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Interior tackle Sheldon Rankins could start the season on the physically unable to perform list because of an Achilles tear, though, per Nick Underhill formerly of the New Orleans Advocate.
The Saints’ pass rush had a dynamic one-two punch with Jordan on the end and Rankins on the inside. New Orleans won’t have the same push up front with the three-year veteran possibly on the sidelines early in the year. The front office signed nose tackle Malcom Brown, but he’s a run-stuffer without a track record for quarterback pressures.
A.J. Klein, Demario Davis and Alex Anzalone are a serviceable trio on the second level. They’re all solid chase-down linebackers who can break up passes in small coverage zones, but it’s not a strong suit for any of them.
At safety, Vonn Bell will provide reliable tackling with some heavy hits, and Marcus Williams can track the ball in center field.
Training camp battles will sort out the cornerback spots. Patrick Robinson could reclaim the slot position over P.J. Williams in a contested competition this summer. Team brass acquired Eli Apple before the October trade deadline. He had a solid year in New Orleans, logging nine pass breakups and two interceptions in 10 games, but the Saints declined to pick up his fifth-year option.
Aside from Lattimore and Williams, it’s difficult to rely on the Saints pass defense. Apple may put forth a great effort in a contract year, but he’s been inconsistent.
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Philadelphia Eagles interior tackle Fletcher CoxDylan Buell/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 12
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 23
The Philadelphia Eagles’ front seven took a few hits during the offseason, and there’s another potential loss on the way.
They traded defensive end Michael Bennett and a 2020 seventh-rounder to the New England Patriots for a 2020 fifth-round pick; he finished second on the team in sacks with nine in 2018.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks signed with the Cardinals. Despite his injury history, the 26-year-old was a mainstay in the middle of the defense for four seasons. Rotational pass-rusher Chris Long is mulling retirement, per USA Today‘s Jarrett Bell.
Zach Brown will replace Hicks. The Eagles have the depth at defensive end to comfortably move on from Bennett and compensate for Long’s potential absence.
Still, play-caller Jim Schwartz needs more pressures from Brandon Graham, 2017 first-rounder Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, 2018 fourth-rounder Josh Sweat and potentially the 138th overall pick in this year’s draft class, Shareef Miller. Fletcher Cox will likely command double-teams on the interior.
At cornerback, Philadelphia has potential, but there are injury concerns. Since he headed over from Buffalo via a 2017 trade, Ronald Darby has missed 15 outings with a dislocated ankle and torn ACL. Sidney Jones, a 2017 second-rounder, suited up for 10 games in his two years with the team. Jalen Mills had an inconsistent 2018 campaign that ended in October because of a foot ailment.
Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod form a solid safety duo, but the latter went into the offseason on the mend with a surgically repaired ACL.
Even if we’re to assume the Eagles will avoid major injuries, it’s difficult to gauge the pass defense because we’ve yet to see prominent defenders such as Darby and Jones play full seasons in Philadelphia.
Update: Eagles moved from 23rd to 19th following Zach Brown’s signing Friday.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles GarrettJason Miller/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 21
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 30
General manager John Dorsey isn’t opposed to trades. In March, he acquired defensive end Olivier Vernon and a fourth-rounder for guard Kevin Zeitler and a fifth-round pick. With 51 career sacks, the seven-year veteran is an upgrade over Emmanuel Ogbah, who was sent to Kansas City for safety Eric Murray.
Vernon will team with Myles Garrett to seal the ends and collapse the pocket. Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson are set to provide pressure up the middle. The Browns should field one of the league’s top pass-rushing defensive lines.
The linebacker corps doesn’t feature star players, but Genard Avery has the ability to burst around the corner to take down the quarterback. Assuming Christian Kirksey makes a full recovery from a hamstring injury, he and Joe Schobert can cover in space.
Issues pop up in the secondary, though. Cornerback Denzel Ward had a solid 2018, notching 11 pass breakups and three interceptions, but the Browns may to turn rookie second-rounder Greedy Williams on the other side of the field. The LSU product has the height (6’2″), length (31½” arms) and speed (4.37-second 40-yard time) to cover athletic wide receivers, but he’s taken criticism for his subpar tackling ability.
The Browns don’t have a physical playmaker in the secondary. Stronger wideouts like JuJu Smith-Schuster could stiff-arm Ward and Williams. T.J. Carrie has been serviceable in the slot, but he doesn’t force turnovers at a high frequency. The five-year veteran has four career interceptions. Damarious Randall has ball-tracking skills with solid tackling, but he’s the last line of defense in the deep safety role.
Cleveland has speed on the back end, but wide receivers who hand-fight and jostle downfield could give this unit issues in the passing game.
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Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon HumphreyScott Taetsch/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 2
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 1
In 2018, the Baltimore Ravens had a stout, stingy defense that gave up few yards and points. What happened during the offseason?
They lost high-production contributors in their front seven. Terrell Suggs signed with the Cardinals, C.J. Mosley inked a deal with the Jets, and Za’Darius Smith went to Green Bay.
The departures knock this group down several notches. Suggs and Smith combined for 15.5 sacks in 2018. Mosley called the plays on defense; the group will miss his veteran experience, downhill play and short-area coverage in the middle.
Over the last three seasons, Matt Judon developed into a consistent pocket-pusher with 19 career sacks. Tim Williams will likely move into a bigger role on the edge while rookie third-rounder Jaylon Ferguson serves in a rotational role.
Baltimore needs solid play from its front line to ease the edge-rushers’ jobs on the outside. Perhaps Willie Henry performs at a level close to his rookie season after he missed 13 contests with a back injury in 2018. Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce are solid gap-stuffers who are capable of occupying initial blocks.
The secondary seems like the strength of the Ravens defense. The front office upgraded at safety, signing Earl Thomas to replace Eric Weddle. There’s also tremendous depth at cornerback with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr, Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young.
Offensive coordinators may hesitate to test the secondary, but Baltimore should watch out for opponents that challenge the team’s front seven with the ground attack early and often.
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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion JonesDanny Karnik/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 25
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 28
Head coach Dan Quinn will handle play-calling duties in Atlanta after opposing teams ran up and down the field on the defense in 2018.
At least for the beginning of the year, Quinn will have a healthier roster. Safeties Keanu Neal (ACL) and Ricardo Allen (Achilles) are coming off season-ending injuries. While that’s a positive, it’s unknown if they’ll pick up where they left off.
Although linebacker Deion Jones missed 10 contests because of a foot injury last year, he suited up for five games in December. The three-year veteran should be at full strength once the 2019 season kicks off.
Quinn has three major defensive tasks for the upcoming term. He must find the 2016 version of Vic Beasley—the pass-rusher who led the league with 15.5 sacks that season.
Secondly, the Falcons need Isaiah Oliver to claim the No. 2 cornerback spot. The team released Robert Alford, which opens the position for the 2018 second-rounder.
Finally, Quinn has to carve out a role for safety Damontae Kazee, who snagged seven interceptions last year. He saw an uptick in snaps because of the injuries to Neal and Allen.
Statistically, the Falcons should improve, but the defensive line may lack pocket pressure on Beasley’s side. Foyesade Oluokun has to play well at weak-side linebacker after a solid rookie season, and defensive tackle Deadrin Senat needs to grow into a full-time starter.
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Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine EdmundsJeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 18
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 2
The Buffalo Bills’ pass rush leaves much to be desired, but head coach Sean McDermott has multiple defenders who can contribute sacks. Furthermore, the front office selected Ed Oliver—one of the top interior pocket-pushers in the 2019 class—with the ninth overall pick.
Last season, the Bills’ top two pass-rushers, defensive end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, combined for 13.5 sacks; the latter is headed into his age-36 term. Shaq Lawson and Trent Murphy added four apiece.
Oliver should give opposing quarterbacks more to think about on their dropbacks. He saw double-teams as a nose tackle at Houston and still finished with 13.5 sacks in three years. The former Cougar could feast on offensive linemen in a one-gap scheme at defensive tackle.
The Bills have two linebackers who play well in space. Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano can follow the action sideline to sideline or blanket tight ends in coverage. They combined for 19 pass breakups and five interceptions last season.
On the back end, the Bills have versatility and defenders with sticky hands. Micah Hyde can line up at either safety spot, in the slot and thump in the box. Jordan Poyer led the team with four picks last year. Tre’Davious White has recorded 26 pass breakups and six interceptions through two seasons.
Aside from fixing below-average pass rush, the Bills must find a No. 2 cornerback to cover the perimeter. Despite the flaws, McDermott’s group could rank in the top 10 in yards allowed in back-to-back seasons because of a talented back seven.
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New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard WilliamsSeth Wenig/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 29
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 25
The New York Jets defense has major upside, but there are multiple moving parts that cap their rank at No. 14.
First, the organization hired a new coaching staff. Head coach Adam Gase added defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. He’ll continue to use 3-4 alignments, which maintains the base schematic plan from the previous regime.
General manager Mike Maccagnan acquired multiple defensive playmakers this offseason. Gang Green landed linebacker C.J. Mosley, who’ll immediately improve this unit with veteran leadership and playmaking ability. The team re-signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson, who had a breakout 2018 campaign with seven sacks and four pass breakups.
The Jets also drafted arguably the top interior pass-rusher at No. 3 in Quinnen Williams, and they took third-rounder Jachai Polite, who may have been a top-32 pick if not for his poor predraft interviews.
We don’t know how Williams and Polite will perform, but the Jets will have an impressive haul if both players turn potential into production.
The Falcons released Brian Poole, and New York pounced on the slot cornerback. He’s a thumper with coverage ability and fills a void. Jamal Adams raised his level of play during his second year and earned a Pro Bowl invite. The LSU product looks like a complete safety who hits in the box, tracks down the action all over the field and breaks up passes in coverage.
On the downside, Williams hasn’t led a top-10 defense in points allowed since 2010. In addition, according to the New York Daily News‘ Manish Mehta, team isn’t impressed with cornerback Trumaine Johnson at his price tag; the seven-year veteran must play with more composure and avoid unnecessary penalties.
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius LeonardMark Zaleski/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 10
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 11
In recent seasons, the Indianapolis Colts fielded bottom-of-the-barrel defenses. Coordinator Matt Eberflus changed the narrative last year thanks to in-house growth and general manager Chris Ballard’s acquisitions.
The Colts saw their young talent progress. As the primary slot cornerback, 23-year-old Kenny Moore led the team in interceptions (three) and pass breakups (11). Linebacker Anthony Walker, 23, blossomed in an expanded role in the middle of the defense.
Linebacker Darius Leonard came out of South Carolina State—an FCS program—but he didn’t flinch at an elevated competition level as a rookie. He led the league in solo tackles (111), ranked second on the team in sacks with seven, broke up eight passes and logged two interceptions in an All-Pro season.
Denico Autry had a few decent seasons with the Raiders from 2015 to 2017, but his sack production skyrocketed in Indianapolis with a team-high nine.
The pass rush should continue to see growth in the upcoming term. Ballard acquired proven edge-rusher Justin Houston, who’s coming off a nine-sack campaign in Kansas City.
Despite the lack of star power across the unit, the Colts rank one spot above the Jets because of the continuity with Eberflus going into his second year. Furthermore, there’s a separation between potential and proven. Gang Green hopes its top rookie defensive talent earns All-Pro honors like Leonard did in the last campaign.
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Detroit Lions cornerback Darius SlayMichael Reaves/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 16
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 10
The Detroit Lions rank one spot higher than the Colts because of their ability to supplement pocket pressure with contributions from linebackers Devon Kennard and Jarrad Davis. Now, with Trey Flowers, a consistent pass-rusher on the defensive line, this group should see an increase in sack numbers.
In 2018, no one logged more than 7.5 sacks, but five players had at least four. As a whole, the team ranked 11th in the category.
Rookie fourth-rounder Austin Bryant will likely serve in a backup role, but the Clemson product, Romeo Okwara, Da’Shawn Hand and Flowers are a solid four-man rotation on the edges.
Moreover, the coaching staff tapped into nose tackle Damon Harrison Sr.’s pass-rush ability last season. Apparently, he’s not just a 353-pound run-stuffer. The All-Pro interior tackle recorded 3.5 sacks in 2018.
Cornerback Darius Slay continued to perform at an elite level. Safety Quandre Diggs provided solid play in coverage with eight pass breakups and three interceptions. In the slot, Justin Coleman should give the defense more ball production than Nevin Lawson, who hasn’t picked off a pass in five seasons.
The open starting positions at safety, next to Diggs and opposite Slay keep the Lions out of the top 10. Furthermore, the unit needs another linebacker who’s best suited to play in space. Devon Kennard and Jarrad Davis can play downhill, but they’re not the best coverage defenders in the middle of the field.
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Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny ClarkStacy Revere/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 22
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 18
Similar to the Jets at No. 14, the Packers added multiple playmakers on defense this offseason, but general manager Brian Gutekunst landed proven players in the prime of their careers. Green Bay’s holes are less glaring than Detroit’s at No. 12.
Defensive ends Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith will immediately improve the pass rush. The former has two eight-sack seasons on his resume, while the latter recorded 8.5 last year in a rotational role with the Ravens. Safety Adrian Amos had a solid contract year with the Bears, and he fills a strong need in Green Bay.
During the draft, the Packers doubled down on improving the pass rush and safety position in the first round. Defensive lineman Rashan Gary will likely take the field on passing downs to pressure the pocket, while Darnell Savage could start alongside Amos. The Maryland product has enough range to play the deep coverage role.
With the additions in the front seven, defensive tackle Kenny Clark and defensive end Mike Daniels should benefit. Both can penetrate the interior gaps. If the linemen beat their assignments in the trenches, they likely won’t have to worry about an extra offensive lineman on help-out blocks or double-teams. Kyler Fackrell, the team’s 2018 sack leader, may see one-on-one opportunities on the edge as well.
What keeps the Packers out of the top 10? The inside linebacker spot next to Blake Martinez isn’t quite settled, although 2018 third-round pick Oren Burks could win the job. Cornerback Kevin King also has to stay healthy and show why he came off the board as the 33rd overall pick in the 2017 draft.
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Washington Redskins edge-rusher Ryan KerriganJoe Robbins/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 15
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 17
We’ve reached the top 10. Going forward, elite veteran talent, rookie potential and depth separate many of these groups from the rest.
The Redskins have a loaded front seven. In 2018, four players logged at least five sacks. Edge-rusher Ryan Kerrigan led the group with 13. Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Matthew Ioannidis bring a ton of pressure on the interior. In total, they recorded 20.5 sacks.
Although the Redskins lost Preston Smith to the Packers during free agency, they restocked the edge-rusher position with first-round pick Montez Sweat. The Mississippi State product can win matchups with speed around the corner.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the league won’t suspend linebacker Reuben Foster for allegations pertaining to domestic violence. He’ll join Mason Foster in the middle of Washington’s defense.
The two inside linebackers have the quickness to cover the length of the field. They’re often able to take down their target upon initial contact, rarely whiffing in open space.
Safety Landon Collins, who inked a lucrative six-year deal this offseason, will bring short-area coverage and set the tone on the back end for this unit. Cornerback Josh Norman hasn’t performed at an elite level since 2016, but he’s still a solid component to the pass defense.
The coaching staff has to figure out who starts next to Collins at safety and develop 2017 third-rounder Fabian Moreau into a consistent contributor, whether it’s in the slot or on the perimeter.
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Denver Broncos edge-rusher Von MillerJohn Hefti/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 13
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 22
Prior to taking over as as Broncos head coach in January, Vic Fangio called plays in Chicago for the No. 1 scoring defense in 2018. Through four years, he molded the Bears’ talent into an elite group. The unit ranked among the top 10 in both yards and points allowed even prior to Khalil Mack’s arrival last season.
Now, Fangio will oversee a defense with a star edge-rusher and a rising talent on the opposite side. Linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb combined for 26.5 sacks last season. If the 2018 first-rounder replicates his rookie campaign, the Broncos may have the top pass-rushing duo in the league.
Although it’s easy to overlook them, interior defensive linemen Derek Wolfe and Adam Gotsis have crucial roles in the trenches. They take on initial blocks, which allows Miller and Chubb to come around the corner in one-on-one situations or take an open pathway to the quarterback.
In the middle of the field, Todd Davis has developed into a solid starting linebacker. Last season, he led the team in solo tackles (80), broke up seven passes and returned an interception for a score. Josey Jewell, a 2018 fourth-rounder, will have an opportunity to claim a full-time first-unit spot following Brandon Marshall’s departure to Oakland.
This offseason, Denver made two under-the-radar signings to bolster its defense. Kareem Jackson could line up at safety or cover the perimeter. Bryce Callahan became a solid slot defender under Fangio’s watch in Chicago, which suggests he’ll man the same position with the Broncos.
Barring a trade, Chris Harris Jr. is the top cover man on the roster. Other than inside linebacker and strong safety, the Broncos won’t have many contested position battles across the defense. There’s a shining star and multiple ascending playmakers on that side of the ball.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus LawrenceRon Jenkins/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 6
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 7
The Dallas Cowboys have continuity with defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and defensive backs coach Kris Richard designing the game plans. That’s the separation between this club and the Broncos at No. 9.
The Cowboys kept their defensive personnel intact this offseason. They signed Demarcus Lawrence to a five-year, $105 million extension and added another pass-rusher, Robert Quinn, via a trade with the Dolphins. Quinn is going into his age-29 season, but he proved capable of pressuring the pocket with 6.5 sacks last year.
Dallas has a budding off-ball linebacker tandem featuring Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. Both are reliable tacklers in any situation—down in the box or on the chase. More importantly, they have coverage skills to neutralize dynamic receiving tight ends and pass-catchers out of the backfield.
The Cowboys’ depth at cornerback allows them to mix and match assignments week to week. Byron Jones, Chidobe Awuzie and Anthony Brown saw most of the action last year, but Jourdan Lewis could take on a prominent role in case of an injury. The Michigan product logged 10 pass breakups and one interception as a rookie in 2017.
Dallas’ inability to force interceptions knocks this unit down a few notches. Although picks can be a bit fluky, the Cowboys haven’t logged more than 10 interceptions in a single season over the last four years. The group needs a ball hawk in the secondary.
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Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais CampbellMark Brown Photos LLC/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 4
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 5
The Jacksonville Jaguars released three starting defenders this offseason and still rank seventh leaguewide because of their depth.
The front office let go of interior tackle Malik Jackson along with safeties Tashaun Gipson and Barry Church. Defensive tackle Taven Bryan, the team’s 2018 first-rounder, could see an uptick in snaps as a result. Safety Ronnie Harrison also made a handful of impact plays as a rookie, logging three pass breakups, a sack and an interception.
The Jaguars selected Josh Allen with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft. The explosive edge-rusher finished his senior season at Kentucky with 17 sacks. If he’s able to contribute right away, Jacksonville would have a third pass-rusher along with Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue, the dominant duo on the ends.
Behind the aggressive defensive line, linebackers Telvin Smith and Myles Jack cover ground and space in passing situations.
On the back end, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey can shut down half the field. He’s one of the league’s elite cover men and can match up with wide receivers one-on-one. A.J. Bouye didn’t have his best year in 2018, recording only one interception and eight pass breakups, but he’d be a No. 1 cornerback on most rosters based on his resume. The Pro Bowler has 13 interceptions and 58 pass breakups over the last five years.
The Jaguars fall outside the top five because of a question mark at free safety following Gipson’s departure. D.J. Hayden also has to stay healthy to cover the slot.
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New England Patriots cornerback Stephon GilmoreMaddie Meyer/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 7
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 21
In 2018, the New England Patriots defense bent but didn’t break in the red zone.
When this group needs a stop on the fourth down, it’s able to force a turnover. In 2018, opposing offenses converted only 37.5 percent of those crucial scenarios against the Patriots, which ranked second in the league behind the Jaguars.
Last year, the Patriots were tied with the Giants for the second-fewest sacks leaguewide (30). Defensive end Trey Flowers’ decision to sign with the Lions this offseason exacerbated that existing issue.
The Patriots acquired defensive end Michael Bennett from the Eagles to bolster their pocket pressure. Rookie third-rounder Chase Winovich could have a rotational role on the edge, too. The Michigan product recorded 34.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks across his final two collegiate seasons.
The Patriots have incredible depth at safety and cornerback behind All-Pro Stephon Gilmore. Three reserve defensive backs—Duron Harmon, Jonathan Jones and J.C. Jackson—logged at least three interceptions last season. None of them played more than 61 percent of the defensive snaps in 2018. New England also selected cover man Joejuan Williams out of Vanderbilt in the second round of this year’s draft. He had a breakout senior year with four picks and 13 pass breakups.
The Patriots don’t have a star-studded linebacker group, but they do have a consistent trio in Dont’a Hightower, Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy.
There’s one minor issue up front. Like Flowers, run-stuffing nose tackle Malcom Brown hit the free-agent market. He signed with the Saints. As a result, opposing teams should consider running through the middle of the Patriots defense.
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Tennessee Titans safety Kevin ByardWesley Hitt/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 3
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 8
In 2018, Mike Vrabel accepted the Tennessee Titans head coaching job and turned the defense into one of the NFL’s best. For the first time since 2011, the club ranked among the top 10 in points allowed. The coaching staff’s creative approach to generating a pass rush puts this group above the Patriots at No. 5.
Jayon Brown came out of UCLA with a reputation for utilizing his quickness to cover the length of the field and drop into coverage. In Tennessee, he’s flashed his ability to play the passing lanes, but the former Bruin can also come downhill to push the pocket. The versatile defender recorded six sacks, six pass breakups and an interception returned for a touchdown last year.
Although he’s in the latter stages of his career, 32-year-old linebacker Wesley Woodyard still chases down ball-carriers and takes the appropriate angles for crucial stops. In 2018, the 11-year veteran led the Titans in solo tackles (69) and logged 4.5 sacks.
The inside linebackers complement interior pass-rusher Jurrell Casey, who led the Titans in sacks with seven in 2018. He’s earned a Pro Bowl invite in every year since 2015.
The Titans have two high-end starters at cornerback and an elite safety. Malcolm Butler brings physicality on the perimeter to complement Adoree’ Jackson’s ability to shadow quick-twitch athletic wideouts on the opposite side. Kevin Byard is an All-Pro defender who’s logged the most interceptions leaguewide over the past two seasons.
Tennessee’s mix of edge-rushers raises some eyebrows, though. Kamalei Correa had some bright moments last year, but he’s played in a backup role since the Ravens selected him 42nd overall in the 2016 draft. This offseason, the Titans signed 37-year-old defensive end Cameron Wake, who’s close to the end of his career.
Linebacker Harold Landry put together a decent rookie season with 4.5 sacks, but the coaching staff will likely depend on him in an expanded role. It looks like Vrabel will implement a steady rotation at the position.
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Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin JamesKelvin Kuo/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 8
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 9
The Los Angeles Chargers mustered an unimpressive 38 sacks in 2018, but top pass-rusher Joey Bosa suited up for only seven contests and finished with 5.5 sacks. In his first two seasons, he tallied 10.5 and 12.5, respectively. Assuming the three-year veteran comes into 2019 healthy, this unit should rank among the top 10 in sacks.
Along with two-time Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram, several players helped generate pocket pressure last season, including Isaac Rochell, Darius Philon, Uchenna Nwosu, Damion Square and Derwin James.
As a rookie, James became an All-Pro, logging 75 solo tackles, 13 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions. He can affect the game at every level of the defense. The Florida State product knows how to pick his spots when targeting the quarterback, tracks ball-carriers in run support, covers tight ends on intermediate routes and possesses enough range to play deep safety.
The linebacker corps has a mix of veteran experience and developing talent that flashed in stretches last year. The front office re-signed Denzel Perryman and added Thomas Davis to balance the youth with Nwosu, Kyzir White and Jatavis Brown.
When healthy, Perryman and Thomas are serviceable defenders who can sniff out the run. White and Brown have the ability to play in space. Nwosu knows how to reach the quarterback.
The Chargers have a two-time Pro Bowler in Casey Hayward on the perimeter. While the 29-year-old didn’t have an interception in 2018, his 20 career interceptions suggest he should bounce back this season. Desmond King has developed into one of better slot defenders in the league, logging 10 pass breakups and three picks last year.
Similar to the Titans at No. 5, the Chargers can bring pressure from anywhere on the field, but this unit has high-level productivity with Ingram and Bosa on the edge. The Chargers also selected Jerry Tillery, a penetrating interior lineman, in the first round and Nasir Adderley, a ball-hawking safety, in the second round. Both should be able to contribute at open positions right away.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle HunterBruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 9
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 4
We’re down to splitting hairs between defensive units, but the Minnesota Vikings have more proven talent than the Chargers across all three levels of the defense and more depth in the secondary.
Last year, Minnesota tied Chicago in sacks with 50, the league’s third-best total. Defensive end Danielle Hunter had a strong campaign as the team’s lead pass-rusher, logging a career-high 14.5 sacks. He accomplished the feat without Everson Griffen on the opposite end for a handful of games. The three-time Pro Bowler took time away from the field to address a mental health issue but still recorded 5.5 sacks in 11 appearances.
We often overlook off-ball linebackers because they don’t accumulate the most talked-about defensive stats—interceptions and sacks—but Eric Kendricks is an upper-echelon player at the position.
Kendricks splits through defenders for stops in run defense, covers the length of the field, looks smooth in his backpedal to defend the pass and makes plays on the ball. The four-year veteran broke up seven passes and picked two off in 2018.
It’s no surprise the Vikings had the stingiest pass defense in terms of touchdowns allowed last year. Head coach Mike Zimmer wants to see lead cornerback Xavier Rhodes play better, but there’s great depth at the position going into the season.
The Vikings have five cornerbacks who can start in any given game: Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Mike Hughes and Holton Hill. If a starter suffers an injury or struggles, the coaching staff can plug in an alternative.
Assuming Hughes fully recovers from a torn ACL and Hill avoids further suspensions, both young cornerbacks should have roles in the upcoming season. They flashed in coverage last year, combining for two interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
Alongside All-Pro safety Harrison Smith, four-year veteran Anthony Harris emerged as a playmaker, logging six pass breakups and three interceptions in 2018.
Minnesota has ranked among the top 10 in both yards and points allowed in each of the last three seasons. With Zimmer and defensive coordinator George Edwards still in their respective positions, there’s little reason to believe this group will take a step backward in 2019.
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Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. WattJoe Sargent/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 16
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 6
The pass rush separates Nos. 2 and 3. While the Vikings have a budding star in Hunter on the edge, the Pittsburgh Steelers can attack the pocket from a variety of angles with high-level players.
This unit led the league in sacks each of the past two years (56 and 52, respectively).
In 2018, outside linebacker T.J. Watt broke out with a team-high 13 sacks. Defensive end Cameron Heyward has been a consistent threat on the interior for most of his career, but he’s cranked the pressure up as of late, logging 20 sacks over the past two seasons. Nose tackle Javon Hargrave also added 6.5 sacks last year.
Throw in edge-rusher Bud Dupree’s handful of sacks every year, Vince Williams’ pressure from the inside linebacker spot and defensive end Stephon Tuitt’s contributions, and the Steelers can swarm quarterbacks. That overwhelming amount of pressure helps the secondary, too.
The Steelers pass defense had its lapses in the past, but it should be much-improved moving forward. This offseason, Pittsburgh inked cornerback Steven Nelson to a three-year deal following the best season of his career in Kansas City. He’ll play opposite Joe Haden, who had a solid 2018 campaign.
Although Artie Burns has been a disappointment because of his first-round billing and spotty production, Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton and rookie third-rounder Justin Layne will provide depth at cornerback.
Sean Davis has the range to cover deep, and fellow safety Terrell Edmunds should continue to develop in his sophomore season. Moreover, head coach Mike Tomlin thinks he has enough versatility among the cornerbacks if he feels the need to reconfigure personnel groupings in the secondary.
General manager Kevin Colbert also made an aggressive move to improve coverage in the middle of the field, trading up to select linebacker Devin Bush 10th overall. The Michigan product can provide the speed and coverage the defense lacks with Ryan Shazier still recovering from a spinal injury.
Opposing quarterbacks will be hard-pressed to find time in the pocket and open windows downfield.
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Chicago Bears edge-rusher Khalil Mack and linebacker Roquan SmithStacy Revere/Getty Images
2018 Points-Allowed Rank: No. 1
2018 Yards-Allowed Rank: No. 3
The NFL’s best defensive unit features multiple All-Pro defenders, a stout run defense, a stingy secondary, star power and ascending talent at multiple positions.
The Bears defense came roaring into the 2018 campaign and also finished on a strong note. General manager Ryan Pace acquired edge-rusher Khalil Mack in September, and he pushed a top-10 unit over the top.
Chicago’s intense pass rush forced a lot of errant throws. The Bears led the league in interceptions (27). With Mack on the edge and Akiem Hicks on the inside, the defense had a consistent pocket-pushing combination that put quarterbacks on notice.
Pace also hit on his 2018 first-rounder Roquan Smith, who’s capable of applying pressure up front and dropping back in coverage. He led the team in solo tackles (89), broke up five passes, had five sacks and snagged an interception as a rookie.
The Bears have two emerging stars in the secondary: cornerback Kyle Fuller and safety Eddie Jackson. They’re both coming off All-Pro seasons, accounting for a combined 13 interceptions and 36 pass breakups. Cornerback Prince Amukamara also had one of his better seasons with three picks and 12 passes defensed.
Chicago allowed two solid starters, safety Adrian Amos and nickelback Bryce Callahan, walk in free agency. Pro Bowler Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will replace the former, while serviceable cover man Buster Skrine will take over the slot.
The Bears have a new defensive coordinator, as Chuck Pagano is taking over for Vic Fangio, who left to become head coach of the Broncos. Pagano has extensive experience as a secondary coach, and he also served as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2011. His expertise should help compensate for the losses of Amos and Callahan.
Pagano’s 2011 Ravens ranked third in both yards and points allowed. He knows how to utilize high-level talent to stifle offenses. As a result, the Bears defense—loaded with star power and budding playmakers—is the NFL’s best heading into the 2019 season.
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To any viewer, Thursday’s episode of Superstore (“Cloud Green”) was nothing overtly out of the ordinary. It had a classic sitcom structure and a humorous take on a timely topic, and took place entirely within Cloud Nine superstore as usual. Quite frankly, it was like any other episode.
That’s what makes it remarkable.
“Cloud Green” was directed by newcomer Heather Jack, who has years of production and direction experience but had never helmed an episode of a major network TV show before this. Jack is part of the inaugural class of NBC’s Female Forward initiative, a program that gets female directors on-set with experienced mentors and then puts them behind the camera.
SEE ALSO: 8 times TV made us say ‘Big Mood’ in 2018
Jack is one of 10 finalists who have directed episodes of everything from Brooklyn Nine-Nine to Law & Order: SVU this season, after shadowing established directors on their respective series for three episodes. Jack and other candidates met with NBC, producers, and showrunners before being assigned to a show last summer. She has already been asked to return for an episode next season.
“It was pretty amazing to work at this high level where the cast and crew, the writing, everything’s kind of at the top of its game,” Jack told Mashable in a phone interview.
“I think there are skills from working with really talented people that you pick up, and because I was shadowing great directors I got to pick best practices from each one and learn a lot about how they work and what works for them. They’re kind of favorite directors of the show, and that’s part of the way the program is designed.”
Heather Jack on-set with Nico Santos for ‘Superstore’ Season 4, episode 18.
Image: Trae Patton/NBC
Superstore has a distinct style and sensibility, with the quick zooms and awkward pauses that distinguish modern TV comedy. It’s something Jack was familiar with as a fan of the show but kept a close eye on while shadowing and directing. In addition to shadowing multiple directors, Jack worked closely with the shows two editors to prepare for the script’s sharpness to translate on-screen.
“You want to feel like you’ve matched the tone of the show, and I think a lot of that is in the writing,” Jack said. “They have this specific way that they want things to look and feel, and you’re kind of following the patterns and guidelines of the show, but then hopefully you’re adding something of your own taste and perspective. For me, that’s in the details … There’s part of it where you’re kind of following the pattern of the show and part of it where you sort of add your own flavor to it.”
Female Forward is entering its second year, and while similar programs exist, Jack said that directing as well as shadowing made a huge difference.
“Shadowing is valuable, but if I didn’t have the guaranteed episode, I think it would be very difficult to become a good, unobtrusive shadow but also convince people that you are prepared to take on the role of director,” she said. “I think the program really sets you up for success.”
Director Heather Jack and star America Ferrera (who has also directed episodes of the show) on the set of ‘Superstore.’
Image: Trae Patton/NBC
Jack has now worked in the industry for over 10 years, and she says she noticed a significant discrepancy between the gender breakdown at film school and festivals compared to working directors. Unsurprisingly, the latter category is overwhelmingly male, even though her classes and festival seasons were relatively equal.
And rarely is gender the only thing at play.
“I’m also half-Asian, I look young – there’s a lot of intimidating things about walking on to a set and not knowing how people will respond to you,” Jack said, noting that the Superstore team was welcoming from the start. “Another director that’s also a minority mentioned to me that you just have to rise above it and do the best work that you can. And that was my outlook, was to try to keep working and keep proving myself, that I was capable and that the work I was doing was good.”
Like many of her peers, Jack is no stranger to the industry’s challenges, but she hopes Female Forward will pave the way for more female directors to just get their work out there.
“The movement that’s happening and the push that’s happening to hire more women directors is only going to improve,” Jack said. “Obviously I personally benefited from this, but I’m hoping that, along with the women who have come before me, that we can all keep working toward that goal, bringing more women into the fold, having it feel more equal.”
Applications for the next round of Female Forward will open later in the year. Superstore airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.
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An Afghan grand assembly has ended with delegates from across the country demanding an “immediate and permanent” ceasefire and a promise from the president to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month that starts on Sunday.
The council – known as Loya Jirga – brought together more than 3,200 participants, politicians, tribal elders and other prominent figures to hammer out a shared strategy for future negotiations with the Taliban.
“Now it is your turn to show what you want to do.” Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the message of the four-day gathering was clear: “Afghans want peace.”
“I want to say to the Taliban that the choice is now in your hands,” Ghani said at the closing ceremony in capital Kabul on Friday.
The grand council produced a 23-point list for peace talks with the Taliban.
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| Delegates attend the last day of the Afghan Loya Jirga meeting in Kabul [Rahmat Gul/AP] |
The Loya Jirga also urged the government to form a strong negotiating team and said at least 50 of its members should represent the victims of wars.
The Taliban are currently negotiating in separate talks with a US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar. They have so far refused to speak with Ghani, who they view as an American “puppet”.
Those talks, however, are focused only on a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops and guarantees from the Taliban that Afghan territory will not be used in the future to harbor global fighters.
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Afghan leaders hold congress over peace moves involving Taliban |
Huge swaths of Afghan society worry that if the US does make a deal with the Taliban, the armed group would try to seize power and undo advances in women’s rights, media freedoms, and legal protections.
Such concerns were prominent at the jirga, where hundreds of women were in attendance outlining their “red lines” for any negotiations with the Taliban.
The declaration at the end of the event said the rights of all Afghans should be preserved.
“We don’t want such a peace that women’s rights are not respected, freedom of expression are not ensured, elections are not held,” committee member Faizullah Jalal told the summit.
Ghani at the assembly also offered a ceasefire but stressed that it would not be unilateral. The proposal is likely moot as the Taliban have so far rejected a ceasefire until US and NATO troops withdraw from the country.
He had sought to project a unified stance with the council but several prominent Afghans boycotted the gathering, including Ghani’s partner in the government, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, accusing the president of using it for political ends ahead of presidential elections scheduled for September 28. Ghani refuted the allegations.
“The initiative of the Loya Jirga is considered the only way for Ghani to gain some sort of legitimacy. He is under a lot of pressure from the United States amid their talks with the Taliban,” Faizullah Zaland, a political analyst based in Kabul, told Al Jazeera.
“Therefore, Ghani called for a mock Jirga to obtain some kind of public support against his political opponents.”
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| The Afghan grand council has come up with a series of recommendations for peace talks with the Taliban after four days of meetings in Kabul [Rahmat Gul/AP] |
The US has accelerated efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the 17-year war – America’s longest conflict.
Khalilzad, appointed last year, has been crisscrossing the region seeking consensus among Afghanistan’s neighbours, as well as Russia and China, on the need for a peace settlement.
President Donald Trump has also expressed his frustration with Washington’s longtime involvement in Afghanistan, as well as a desire to bring the estimated 14,000 US soldiers home.
The Taliban have in recent months stepped-up their attacks, inflicting staggering casualties on Afghan forces, and now hold sway over half the country.
Khalilzad said on Twitter on Friday that he had told the Taliban “that the Afghan people, who are their brothers and sisters, want this war to end. It is time to put down arms, stop the violence and embrace peace”.
The Taliban responded on Twitter by saying Khalilzad “should forget about the idea of us putting down our arms”.
“Instead of such fantasies, he should drive the idea home [to the US] about ending the use of force and incurring further human and financial losses for the decaying Kabul administration,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted.
Afghanistan’s war rages on, with thousands of civilians and fighters being killed each year.
US forces continue to train Afghan partners on the ground and strike the Taliban from the air, in a bid to push the war to a political settlement.
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