Gaines has upgraded us mainly in his pass rush. Much as I like SJD he is not much of a rush threat. Gaines very much is a rush threat which, when you couple that with his excellent play vs the run, puts him in that top echelon NT group right now. He has been as good as it gets in the middle.
And Jones has also upgraded us between the tackles. Not just vs the run, where he's been excellent, but also the pass where his instinctive drops put him in the right place to help disrupt passing lanes. Also, while that final play he made last game was PI, he timed his arrival close enough to not get the call, which means he made the play. Oh and btw he was wearing the dot last night and judging from the overall play of our defense did a great job.
The two of these guys have basically given the Rams two more difference makers up the middle and teams are feeling that. This defense is significantly better as a result.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2021 12:15PM by merlin.
