This is a great post. BB never gives anything, aside from history lessons, to the media so trying to draw a line in the gray area of talent and strategy is always tough.I think the way in which the stats may be a little misleading is this: their default posture is to deny you longer passes and make you win with running and shorter passes (e.g. longer drives). if you show you will run a lot, they will adjust--even against Baltimore. So those run defense numbers are a blend of strategy and capability. That said, I do not think they have a great run defense even when they are playing to stop the run...but it also is materially better than those number show.
This is all part of why they focus on ppg against, not yards.
I don't think they're awful against the run, but I wouldn't call it a strength. I tjink the amswer lies somewhere in the realm of complementary football that takes all three phases of the opponent into consideration.
Edit: except the Ravens, they run a wonky offense. Also, fuck the Ravens.