Number 1 is not a myth. They forced only one punt and if you go back and watch the fumble, it was a gift & not a forced fumble. Either way - every other drive but those 2 were scoring drives. Does it matter if they are ranked 12th overall if they wet the bed when it counts? Off the cuff I can think of 3 games where the offense tied up the game & the defense failed. Last Cincy game, Steelers game 1, Chicago game. They practically gave away the first Cincy game by blowing a 17-3 lead late in the game. Overall, certainly they have improved statistically which is why I stated it is more a scheme thing late in games IMO then overall player performance. The offense was beyond disappointing this season but we put no effort into improving the offense unless you call bringing in 2 vets at the end of their career making an effort, yet we lost Boldin, Pitta & Jacoby. Did you expect them to perform at a high level after those 3 losses and no running game? On defense we spent a high pick on Elam, brought in Canty, Huff, Spears, Doom, D. Smith. Pretty big difference. Oh one more fact for you: Offense tied up the game in the 4th and the defense failed to get off the field
