Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians commented after a win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12 that the defensive front was really getting the job done, allowing them to go with less blitzes.
The numbers showed that, over the four-game winning streak the team had, it was true.
However, just a week after saying that they did not have to go with as heavy a blitz package as they have done, they dialed up the blitzing against Nick Foles.
According to Pro Football Focus numbers, they sent five or more rushers on 23 of 40 dropbacks, good for over 57 percent. That is about what the blitz rate was for the first seven games of the season.
Now, the blitzing was successful. All five of the defense's sacks came on blitzes. However, Foles also threw for two of his touchdowns when facing more than four rushers.
Should Arizona have dialed it back a bit? They were winning games when they blitzed less. They were giving up less plays to tight ends when they blitzed less.
What is your take?