AFC playoff defenses

[cdumler7]

Scoring defense is the most important defensive stat. Period. If the opponant can't score, they don't win.

Scoring offense is the most important offensive stat. Period. If you outscore your opponant, they can't win.

This is why you see the PF and PA columns in with the standings.

I think that is a bit narrow-minded when looking at the full picture. Look at last year with the Chiefs where they were 20th in scoring defense yet this year 4th. They essentially have the same unit with just a few changes here and there. At least a part of why this has happened is because the offense has 20 less turnovers than they did last season. Turnovers usually mean points or at least better field position. So since they haven't turned it over as often they have been able to play with leads on a more regular basis which then leads to the defense being able to play at a more aggressive level than if they were behind which then leads to more turnovers for the defense which then leads to shorter fields for the offense to score.

So there is more that plays into the whole PF and PA part of teams. Just to give you an idea on the total defense stat and how it doesn't paint a very good full picture of how good or bad a defense is the Chiefs once again as an example. They are actually giving up 10 more yards per game this year but give up 8 points less per game this season compared to last. So again very similar defense to last year but because the offense doesn't turn it over like crazy and the Chiefs keep winning the field position battle it gives the defense a greater chance at making stops compared to having to play with a short field.

 

[Skinnyfats]

Narrow minded looking at the full picture of the defense verses looking at one stat? Yah....okay.

 

[wingsauce7]

As you stated, last year's Chiefs had the 20th ranked scoring D (record 2-14). This year they are 4th in scoring D (11-4).

I'm just saying that I think it is the MOST important stat. It's the bottom line.

 

[cdumler7]

As you stated, last year's Chiefs had the 20th ranked scoring D (record 2-14). This year they are 4th in scoring D (11-4).

I'm just saying that I think it is the MOST important stat. It's the bottom line.

I'm just saying determining how good or bad a defense is based on just that stat alone is very misleading. Houston is in the same boat this year of having a very good defense but offense keeps turning the ball over or going 3 and out.

Now yes obviously scoring helps to paint a better picture for record wise of how a team is doing but it takes the full picture to fully understand how they have gotten there. Defense doesn't give up a ton of points because they are talented and the offense doesn't put them in bad positions. Teams that have to go the length of the field are far less likely to score compared to teams that only have to go say 50 yards or less. This then makes the offense have to score less to win say 20 points a game like the Chiefs have had to do this season. So they don't have to have a great offense to win just one that doesn't put the defense in a bad spot to make a stop. Then throw in Special Teams and it is just a very difficult picture to understand how good or bad a team really is.

 

[bengaldoug]

No stat stands alone. Defensive ppg is a measure of defensive efficiency. It may also measure special teams ability to win the field position battle, or the offense's ability to control the clock and protect the ball. It could also be a measure of the strength of the defense in the red zone. Your best defense is when they are off the field and your offense has the ball. PPG supplemented by yards per point and defensive yardage allowed and turnover ratio and average starting field position gives you an overall balanced idea of how good your defense is.

 

[Cincyfan78]

No stat stands alone. Defensive ppg is a measure of defensive efficiency. It may also measure special teams ability to win the field position battle, or the offense's ability to control the clock and protect the ball. It could also be a measure of the strength of the defense in the red zone. Your best defense is when they are off the field and your offense has the ball. PPG supplemented by yards per point and defensive yardage allowed and turnover ratio and average starting field position gives you an overall balanced idea of how good your defense is.

BOOM!

 

[Skinnyfats]

It is funny fans from other teams get butt hurt about their teams flaws.

Glad most Bengals fans all admit the weakness of the Bengals is Andy Dalton and sometimes the questionable calls of Marv.

 

[Cincyfan78]

It is funny fans from other teams get butt hurt about their teams flaws.

Glad most Bengals fans all admit the weakness of the Bengals is Andy Dalton and sometimes the questionable calls of Marv.

You forgot Jay Gruden...and the stellar play of one, Dre Kirkpatrick.

 

[bengaldoug]

Have to admit though, Andy is improving. He still lacks consistency and should play better on the road, but he has proven himself sometimes capable of lighting it up bigtime. Of course he has absolutely great weapons, especially this year with the addition of Gio and Eifert and the emergence of Jones.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Have to admit though, Andy is improving. He still lacks consistency and should play better on the road, but he has proven himself sometimes capable of lighting it up bigtime. Of course he has absolutely great weapons, especially this year with the addition of Gio and Eifert and the emergence of Jones.

I wonder what his numbers would look like if Eiffert were involved more, and Gio involved earlier on in the year?

Dalton has improved in just about every statistical category over his 1st 3 years...Yards, completions, TD's...Comp% is on par to last year, as is INT's.

Still needs to do better under pressure. All QB's struggled when rushed, but his seem to lead to more INT's and opponent points than some of the other QB's around the league.

And as you said, he's soon that, he can put up the numbers to help carry the offense...now, let's see if he can take that next step and limit the "jay bruce" swings in production.

 

[bengaldoug]

I wonder what his numbers would look like if Eiffert were involved more, and Gio involved earlier on in the year?

Dalton has improved in just about every statistical category over his 1st 3 years...Yards, completions, TD's...Comp% is on par to last year, as is INT's.

Still needs to do better under pressure. All QB's struggled when rushed, but his seem to lead to more INT's and opponent points than some of the other QB's around the league.

And as you said, he's soon that, he can put up the numbers to help carry the offense...now, let's see if he can take that next step and limit the "jay bruce" swings in production.

I would like to see a good run in road games. Overall under Dalton the Bengals have been ok on the road for the most part, but imo that is because defense travels. There are at least three road losses this season(Cleveland, Baltimore, Miami) he could have been the difference in if he had played better.

 

[Skinnyfats]

Just hoping for at least one playoff win this year to get that monkey off his back. I do agree he has improved a little bit each year. As long as he isn't pressured he does okay.

 

[Skinnyfats]

You forgot Jay Gruden...and the stellar play of one, Dre Kirkpatrick.

Dre hasn't been too bad there has been a couple double moves he has bit on and a couple of penalties that have made him look really bad. Even Dion and others on the NFL network have said he has done a pretty good job filling in.

 

[bengaldoug]

Dre hasn't been too bad there has been a couple double moves he has bit on and a couple of penalties that have made him look really bad. Even Dion and others on the NFL network have said he has done a pretty good job filling in.

Dre was only targeted on three plays of 35 in coverage vs the Vikes. That tells me that:

1) His guy wasn't getting open, or
2) Zimmer's schemes did a great job of hiding him, or
3) Cassel did a poor job of finding his guy

 

[kramer1]

Dre was only targeted on three plays of 35 in coverage vs the Vikes. That tells me that:

1) His guy wasn't getting open, or
2) Zimmer's schemes did a great job of hiding him, or
3) Cassel did a poor job of finding his guy

I'll go with option #3, Bob.

 

[bengaldoug]

I'll go with option #3, Bob.

The Vikes gameplan should have been to target him as often as possible. I'm willing to bet the Ravens will go after him early and often. But don't discount Zimmer's ability to scheme protection for his weak spots.

 

[kramer1]

The Vikes gameplan should have been to target him as often as possible. I'm willing to bet the Ravens will go after him early and often. But don't discount Zimmer's ability to scheme protection for his weak spots.

I won't discount Zimmer's ability ever. I will, however, always discount Dre's. He's a bum.

 

[bengaldoug]

I won't discount Zimmer's ability ever. I will, however, always discount Dre's. He's a bum.

I think it's still too early to draw any real conclusions about Dre. He's been injured for over a year and is just now getting a chance to play. If he can stay healthy for a whole season then I think we'll know more. You called Leon Hall a bust for his first three years, remember?

 

[kramer1]

I think it's still too early to draw any real conclusions about Dre. He's been injured for over a year and is just now getting a chance to play. If he can stay healthy for a whole season then I think we'll know more. You called Leon Hall a bust for his first three years, remember?

I don't agree with you at all. He's a CB...not a QB. He's asked to do one thing and he can't do it. On top of that...he can't stay healthy. He's lazy. He's a moron. He's useless.

 

[bengaldoug]

I don't agree with you at all. He's a CB...not a QB. He's asked to do one thing and he can't do it. On top of that...he can't stay healthy. He's lazy. He's a moron. He's useless.

Then how do you explain Leon Hall?