As much as I love these rookies, the amount of explosive plays being given up this year is becoming extremely concerning. A defense that was once a strength is getting beat so bad deep literally every game. If we had a good defense we wouldn’t be allowing 400 yards to the Steelers, which is the first time that happened in 59 games.
If we’re entertaining objectively the OP, I would say its kinda a chicken and egg thing too. We are getting run all over by more physical teams, period. That Najee group-hug-run for 20 plus yards early in the game was all you needed to know.
So, when that happens, playaction fakes start working, then you get the single coverage to take shots.
So I think my answer would be more that we miss them in run support than in straight coverage, especially Bell, whom was very good at inserting himself into TFL’s, generating fumbles, etc.