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Factoid

Playing the matchups

Jared Goff faces league's leakiest pass defense

Jared Goff is tough to figure today. He’s been pretty awful, but he’s playing against a defense that’s on pace to allow the most passing production in NFL history. Seemingly anybody playing against the Cardinals has a chance at 300-plus yards and multiple touchdowns.

If you like bad pass defense, in fact, it’s been your year. The Cardinals, Bucs and Raiders are all on pace to finish with bottom-5 pass defenses of all time. The Lions and Dolphins aren’t far behind, and even the Texans and Jets if you want to dive a little deeper. There are a lot of defenses this year giving up huge amounts of passing yards and touchdowns.

If we suppose 6 points for TD passes and 1 for every 10 yards, the Cardinals right now are on pace to be the worst ever. On the chart below, I’m showing only the teams since 2000 to make it more manageable.

WORST PASS DEFENSES SINCE 2000
YearTeamYardsTDPPts
2019Arizona3162.6447.4
2015New Orleans2972.8146.6
2019Tampa Bay3092.3645.1
2013Minnesota 3042.3144.3
2019Oakland2852.3642.7
2013Dallas 3022.0642.6
2015NY Giants3081.9442.4
2012Tampa Bay3091.8842.2
2012New Orleans3051.9442.1
2011Green Bay 3121.8142.1
2019Detroit2932.0841.8
2015Philadelphia 2822.2541.7
2012Washington 2951.9441.1
2011New England 3111.6340.9
2016Green Bay 2882.0040.8
2018Kansas City2951.8840.8
2018Cincinnati2872.0040.7
2009Detroit2752.1940.6
2014Chicago 2792.1340.6
2015Washington 2742.1940.6
2010Houston 2812.0640.5
2019Miami2612.3640.3
2018New Orleans2891.8840.1
2018Tampa Bay2742.1340.1
2013Philadelphia 3071.5640.0
2015Pittsburgh 2911.8140.0
2011Minnesota 2732.1340.0
2014Philadelphia 2871.8840.0

At the other end of the spectrum, with the kind of passing numbers that are being put up, it only makes the defensive work of the Patriots and 49ers more impressive. They’re shutting down passing games like no other defense has in the last 10 years.

Here are the best pass defenses of the last 20 years. For the 2019 seasons, the next one that shows up would be Buffalo (currently sitting at 52nd).

BEST PASS DEFENSES SINCE 2000
YearTeamYardsTDPPts
2009NY Jets169.5019.9
2019New England181.3620.3
2000Tennessee 173.6321.0
2002Tampa Bay 174.6321.2
2008Indianapolis 201.3822.3
2008Pittsburgh 179.7522.4
2000Washington 182.7522.7
2006Oakland 1641.0622.8
2019San Francisco1691.0022.9
2006Indianapolis 1691.0022.9
2005Chicago 197.6323.4
2003Cleveland 191.8123.9
2000Baltimore 198.6924.0
2011Pittsburgh 186.9424.3
2007Indianapolis 1831.0024.3
2004Pittsburgh 191.8824.4
2003Dallas 1761.1324.4
2003Tampa Bay 1841.0024.4
2001Philadelphia 197.8124.5
2000Philadelphia 205.6924.6
2000Miami 198.8124.7
2005NY Jets1841.0624.8
2009Buffalo 196.8824.9
2016Denver 200.8124.9
2006Jacksonville 205.7525.0
2013Seattle 1911.0025.1
2001NY Jets198.8825.1
2007Tampa Bay 1831.1325.1
2004Miami 1761.2525.1
2003Buffalo 1841.1325.1

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index