Defenses Put Their Foot Down

Week 1 in the NFL was all about high-powered offenses scoring touchdowns at an incredible rate. We saw teams dissect defenses, QBs find open receivers with ease, running backs walk in multiple touchdowns, and offensive play-callers look like geniuses as Week 1 scoring records were set.

Questions arose about why the offenses looked so good, how defenses could stop them, and whether the trend would continue into Week 2 with more video-game scores. Are quarterbacks just too talented, running backs too fast, and wide receivers too athletic? Do defenses not know how to tackle, are they too soft, or were they just caught off guard?

Well, with one more game to go tonight, Week 2 put the defenses back in the spotlight, and this time for their ability not to back down. Sure, last week defenses allowed offenses to take over and run all over them, but on Sunday they stood up for themselves.

The Minnesota Vikings led the way as they shut down the Chicago Bears, who scored 59 points last week, by holding them to only 3 points in their 9-3 win.

Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus told The Athletic, “This week, defenses put their foot down. After what went down that first week, it was like everyone said, ‘We’re not gonna take it anymore.’” 

The Saints defense may have let the Lions roll all over them last week, but yesterday they limited Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, pulling out a 24-17 win with a game-winning interception.

The Broncos defense barely showed up last week against the Chiefs in a 31-10 loss, but this week they made their presence felt, preventing the Jacksonville Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence from really getting going in a 20-13 win.

The Patriots silenced the Steelers 20-3, and the Bengals didn’t let the Texans do anything, winning 20-6.

Meanwhile, the same Panthers defense that didn't do much to stop the Bears last week stepped up and was strong against the Falcons, forcing five turnovers in a 34-3 blowout.

Yes, other teams in the league still have defensive concerns, but overall, Week 2 showed that several teams have backbone on the other side of the ball, and offenses aren’t just going to have their way this year and do whatever they want.

As we reflect on how defenses made changes to “put their foot down” and declare, “we’re not gonna take it anymore,” I hope we're challenged today to do the same when it comes to living out and standing up for our faith as followers of Jesus. 

We know we live in a fallen, broken, evil world in need of a Savior. We know that this life is temporary, and those who have placed their faith in Jesus are victorious because of Him and have eternal life.  

As we continue to live here, though, we face some “high-powered offenses” trying to have their way and do whatever they want, but we are called to stand our ground. 

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (AMP) says, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (AMP) tells us to “Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].”

We have to stop letting the culture, Satan, and evil forces into our homes, hearts, and minds. We can’t be run all over, allow evil an opening, or do nothing to prevent “wide receivers getting open down the field.” We don’t want to give them any room and let the offense get through at all.

Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV) implores us, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

We have to stand up for what is true, right, and good. We have to drop our "soft defense" and show up, making God's presence evident. We don't want to let the enemy "get going" at all, so we can't sit back and do nothing. Instead, we step up with the power of Christ within us and stand firm with backbone.

As followers of Jesus, we must stop the "offense" that is trying to infiltrate so many areas of our lives and make it clear we are "putting our foot down" and "not gonna take it anymore."

We are not intimidated; we are not laying down; and we are not letting the enemy "score points all over us." We live lives marked by holiness, boldness, and spiritual strength.

We do this with the power of the Holy Spirit, together with fellow believers, standing for the truth of the gospel, standing firm in our faith, and taking over darkness with light. We want people to see Jesus in us, to know Him for themselves, and to experience His love and saving grace.

In Philippians 1:27-28 (NLT), Paul encourages us, "Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.

“Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God Himself.”

Today, we know how to “tackle” the enemy…so let’s not be soft or caught off guard. Instead, let's fortify our defense!

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me not to shrink back or sit back and let evil have its way in my life or in the lives of those around me. Help me to stand firm and stand up for truth and holiness. Help me to do so lovingly as I bring Your light into darkness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

*For further reading, Ephesians 6 talks about putting on our armor.