While the defending champions are still a tough matchup any week they do not appear to be as strong as last season on either side of the ball. The running game lacks a number one running back with the loss of Jay Ajayi. Ajayi wasn’t tearing it up anyway. He ended his season with 184 yards on 43 carries. It’s not a bad average per carry (4.1 yards) but they typically found themselves behind early and therefore abandoned the running game.
When I look at the Pro Football Focus grades for their defense I see their biggest weakness in the interior of the defensive line.