would've scored XX points he would have dropped 8 all game long.

So if he knows the offense will score 24 points he will just let the other team score 23? Shouldn't the goal be to shut the other team out or hold them to as little as possible?

That's a barely getting by mentality and not one of excellence.

It's just frustrating. I am used to watching better defensive performances and I would rather see a dominate defensive performance.