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Defense wins championships... except when it doesn't

Discussion in 'General NFL Talk' started by MeanJoeBlue, Jan 6, 2019.

  1. MeanJoeBlue

    MeanJoeBlue Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2013
    The top 5 defenses by points allowed (Bears, Ravens, Titans, Texans, Jaguars) didn't make the playoffs or got beat this weekend.

    The top 8 defenses by yards per play (Ravens, Bears, Bills, Vikings, Jaguars, Steelers, Titans, 49ers) didn't make the playoffs or got beat this weekend.

    That is a reminder that improving the Steelers defense is a worthy goal, but it won't be a magic ticket to the Super Bowl.
     
    • Informative Informative x 2
  2. Jammasterc

    Jammasterc Well-Known Member

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    The worst defense left is Patriots I think.
     
  3. aces4me

    aces4me Well-Known Member

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    Have you SEEN KC play?
    According to Football Outsiders Defense stats (good site if you aren't aware of it):

    8 LAC
    9 DAL
    10 INDY
    11 NO
    (13 PIT BTW)
    15 PHI
    16 NE
    19 LAR
    26 KC
     
  4. bigbenhotness

    bigbenhotness Well-Known Member

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    I doubt a top offensive team with no defense is going to win it all (rams) but it wouldn't surprise me
     
  5. aces4me

    aces4me Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2012
    KC is even more of a all offence no Defense team. I would be surprised if the Colts lose this weekend. I suspect they will handle KC fairly easily.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. MeanJoeBlue

    MeanJoeBlue Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2013
    Turnovers will probably make the most difference.

    For the 11 teams with the fewest defensive TOs, only the Ravens and Eagles (17) made the playoffs.
    (The Steelers had 15, for 29th out of 32 teams.)

    For the 11 teams with the most defensives TOs, there were 7 playoff teams: Bears (36), Rams (30), Texans (29), Patriots (28), Chiefs (27), Colts and Seahawks (26). Saints just missed the cut (24, 13th out of 32 teams).
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  7. bigbenhotness

    bigbenhotness Well-Known Member

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    Nov 1, 2014
    Top 5 ppg defense are eliminated
    4/5 top 5 ppg offense are still in


    Telling stat
     
  8. Rush2seven

    Rush2seven Well-Known Member

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    Maybe the better defenses this year just aren’t as good as others.
     
  9. MeanJoeBlue

    MeanJoeBlue Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2013
    Yesterday, we saw the 32nd rank run defense (by yards/rush) shut down one of the premier runners in Ezekiel Elliot. And one of the best run defenses (Dallas is 5th) give up two 100-yards rushers.

    The league is strange, about how a team can be so different for any particular game or opponent.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1

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