Sometimes a defense's rushing yards allowed is helped alot by their offense putting up alot of points and forcing teams to abandon the run. We've been doing that for years.
The debate on how to judge a defense comes up from time to time. Some say points allowed is the truest measure. Others
say total yards allowed. The NFL uses total yards allowed when they rank defenses. They do it for a good reason.
Some of us old timers remember our 26-24 loss to the Rams in the final game of the 83 season. That loss prevented our
first winning season and playoff birth. Rams kicker Mike Lansford kicked the game winning FG as time expired. it was the
only offensive points the Rams scored in the game. 23 points came from 2 pick sixes,a punt return TD and a safety. The
defense wasn't the reason we lost. It was offense and special teams. The stats show 26 points allowed,but doesn't tell the
whole story. Total yards allowed show a more accurate picture.