The NFL wisely came up with rules to protect defenseless receivers from dangerous hits. What the league can’t do this year is protect defenseless defenses.
Defenses have been blindsided by the greatest offensive start in NFL history. Scoring is up 9.5 percent in the first four weeks of the season from 43.9 points a game last year to a staggering 48.1. Touchdown passes are up an unbelievable 21.9 percent, 228 this year compared to 187 after four weeks last year. Offensive touchdowns overall are up 14.3 percent.