This is part two of this series on “The Myth about the NFL
Total Offense and Total Defense. This week I will explain why the NFL’s version
is misleading, and it is simple.
We all have heard that the NFL is a passing league, and for
the most part it is. If your team is lucky enough to have a QB like Peyton
Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, or one of the other top quarterbacks in the
NFL, your team is probably a passing first team. Teams that are predominantly
passing teams will, and do, gain a lot of yards per game.
If your team is a running first team you will not gain the
kind of yards that a passing first team gained. If you are successful running
the ball you will use the clock and be dominate in “Time of Possession” and
keep the opposing teams offense off the field. This is great! You not only keep
the opposing offense off the field but you keep the opposing defense on the
field and can wear them down. This is a very good way to score points for your
team and keep your opponent from scoring. You will not lead the league in yards
gained.
Examples
The (7 – 9) 2014 New Orleans Saints are a very good example,
ranked as number one in total offense (yards gained only) by the NFL, but
ranked number seven in points scored.
The (12 – 4) 2014 Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, were a
run first team. Dallas
ranked number seven in total yards and ranked number three in points scored.
The two examples above seem to be opposites, so which was
the better offense?
This is the problem when using just one statistic to
determine which team is best!
This is exactly why Pro Football Ranking.com uses fifteen
statistics (not just one) to rank NFL offensive and defensive teams.
Please feel free to comment.
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