Whatever happened to the idea that it was important to stop the run? Teams with weak defenses this year have tended to make the playoffs anyway.
Only nine teams in the league averaged over 4.4 yards per carry, and six of them are in the playoffs anyway -- half of the playoff field.
Chicago has the league's worst run defense, giving up 5.35 per attempt, and it almost made the playoffs. Dallas also struggled against the run, and it was nearly in.
The days of "run and stop the run" are clearly long gone.
| WORST RUN DEFENSES (YPC Averages) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Att | Yds | Avg |
| Chicago | 483 | 2,583 | 5.35 |
| Atlanta | 455 | 2,173 | 4.78 |
| Dallas | 437 | 2,056 | 4.70 |
| Green Bay | 432 | 2,000 | 4.63 |
| New Orleans | 387 | 1,786 | 4.61 |
| San Diego | 376 | 1,725 | 4.59 |
| Kansas City | 428 | 1,923 | 4.49 |
| Indianapolis | 448 | 2,002 | 4.47 |
| New England | 481 | 2,145 | 4.46 |
| Buffalo | 471 | 2,063 | 4.38 |