Running game is why the defense looks better

[BlindFaith]

There was some debate in another thread as to what the actual impact is of time of possession and controlling the clock thus limiting the number of plays the other offense has.

There was also some debate as to whether this defense is improved, and if so, that the improvement is more of a reason as to why we are top 10 in time of possession vs the offense controlling the clock.

So I looked at some stats, per play stats for the defense. Total yardage, points, first downs etc are really meaning less. You need to compare play to play.

But to really demonstrate this point I will list our rankings for Totals:
Total 1st Downs: 1
Total 3rd Downs: 6
Total Points: 10
Total Yards: 14

Looks awesome right? Pretty dominant, top 10 kind of defense. But not so fast.

We are also leading the league in Defensive Plays per game. (56.7) Let's see how we look at a play per play basis:
1st Downs per play:10
3rd Downs per play:19
Points per play:18
Yards per play:27

Not so hot anymore. Let's also throw in 18th for 3rd Down Conversion %. Do these numbers really support the idea that the defense is getting a lot of 3 and outs? Stopping the offense? And speaking of opposing offenses, aside from New Orleans and Seattle ( 7 and 8 respectively) the other 5 opponents are as follows:
NY: 15
San Fran: 21
St Louis: 23
Houston: 24
Tennessee: 29

Now let's compare our offense and defense to that of Philly, because Philly is a fast past offense and we will be playing them soon. Philly is ranked 31st in TOP, we are ranked 2nd. Philly is ranked 3rd in number of plays, we are ranked 7th. Philly averages 22.82 seconds per play (32nd), we average 30.80 (1st).

Philly's defense is also ranked 31st in Defensive Plays per game. 15.1 more plays per game than Dallas.

What would our defense look like from a Totals perspective if they had to be on the field 15.1 more plays a game?
Total 1st Downs: 25
Total 3rd Downs: 19
Total Points: 27
Total Yards: 32

Looks very much like last year.

What's saving us is that we are running the ball. We are #1 in the league in rushing attempts per game (33.6) That's up from only 21 attempts per game last year. We are up on number of offensive plays per game 65.9 compared to 59.8. We average 30.8 seconds per play, up from 29.11. We are controlling the ball 4 minutes and 40 seconds longer this year than last year.

So yes, the running game is helping the defense, very much in fact. And no, the defense is not really much better than last year and should still be a big concern, especially come playoff time.

 

[Sportsbabe]

I just had this discussion with a co-worker. I disagree. Man this Fantasy Football world we live in today is something else. This defense is better because of two MAJOR things: stopping the opponent on situational 3rd downs and stopping the opponent from scoring in situational football period. People are so wrapped up in numbers it skews their logical thinking.

You can run the football all day long. When you eventually give the ball back to the opponent, if the defense can't stop them, then it's a wrap.

 

[VACowboy]

How about points per play?

 

[big dog cowboy]

And no, the defense is not really much better than last year and should still be a big concern, especially come playoff time.

That is going to be a very tough sell given the improved 3rd down percentages this year.

 

[Corso]

I just had this discussion with a co-worker. I disagree. Man this Fantasy Football world we live in today is something else. This defense is better because of two MAJOR things: stopping the opponent on situational 3rd downs and stopping the opponent from scoring in situational football period. People are so wrapped up in numbers it skews there logical thinking.

You can run the football all day long. When you eventually give the ball back to the opponent, if the defense can't stop them, then it's a wrap.

Succinctly said in 4 sentences.
Although all the running should be accounted for helping to wear the opponent's defense down- thus helping to either: hold onto a lead by running on a battered front 7 at the end of games, and performing a comeback on a tired defense.
That does deserve a nod.

 

[Doomsday101]

Defense is making stops and at critical moment in the game we are not giving up the points we did last year. This is old most anyone with fricken eyes can see this defense is play a lot better than last season.

 

[VACowboy]

Defense is making stops and at critical moment in the game we are not giving up the points we did last year. This is old most anyone with fricken eyes can see this defense is play a lot better than last season.

Yep. They're playing fast and hitting hard, beating teams up. I'll take it. All we needed was for the defense to be a little bit better, and it is.

 

[casmith07]

How about points per play?

Stop. The agenda doesn't get that far, lol.

 

[Sportsbabe]

Succinctly said in 4 sentences.
Although all the running should be accounted for helping to wear the opponent's defense down- thus helping to either: hold onto a lead by running on a battered front 7 at the end of games, and performing a comeback on a tired defense.
That does deserve a nod.

I love it when you say "succinctly".
But I'm glad I have someone in my corner.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I just had this discussion with a co-worker. I disagree. Man this Fantasy Football world we live in today is something else. This defense is better because of two MAJOR things: stopping the opponent on situational 3rd downs and stopping the opponent from scoring in situational football period. People are so wrapped up in numbers it skews their logical thinking.

You can run the football all day long. When you eventually give the ball back to the opponent, if the defense can't stop them, then it's a wrap.

But without the fact that Dallas moves the chains on third downs better than any team iun football right now, and scores at a clip unheard of around these parts lately when in the red zone comes into play with keeping the defense fresh and watchjing while the other team's defense is on the field trying to stop The Juggernaut.

 

[Setackin]

The defense is making plays key tackles, INTs, pass deflections. But I have a hard time believing, that they make those same types of plays if the offense isn't running the ball...

The defense IS stepping up because the offense is making the game easier for them.

I would like to see how they perform if Murray is held down to say 50-60 yrds.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yep. They're playing fast and hitting hard, beating teams up. I'll take it. All we needed was for the defense to be a little bit better, and it is.

I agree. Lot less miscommunications and guys are flying to the ball. I think this unit will only improve as the season wears on they have not played very long as a unit.

 

[Sarge]

I think the defense is certainly better. But what exactly does it mean, to be better than absolutely pathetic? It's all relative.

 

[BlindFaith]

I just had this discussion with a co-worker. I disagree. Man this Fantasy Football world we live in today is something else. This defense is better because of two MAJOR things: stopping the opponent on situational 3rd downs and stopping the opponent from scoring in situational football period. People are so wrapped up in numbers it skews their logical thinking.

You can run the football all day long. When you eventually give the ball back to the opponent, if the defense can't stop them, then it's a wrap.

We are 19th at stopping them on 3rd down. We are 18th in points given up. We got those numbers by facing 5 of the top 10 worse offenses in the league up to this point. But carry on.

 

[cowboys2233]

Defense is making stops and at critical moment in the game we are not giving up the points we did last year. This is old most anyone with fricken eyes can see this defense is play a lot better than last season.

Thank you. Folks, if your numbers are telling you that this defense is not playing at a higher level than last year, you're looking at the wrong numbers. Sorry to break it to you. Try again.

 

[BlindFaith]

How about points per play?

How about it? We are 18th. Again, based on facing 5 of the top 10 worst offenses in the league.

 

[cowboys2233]

We are 19th at stopping them on 3rd down. We are 18th in points given up. We got those numbers by facing 5 of the top 10 worse offenses in the league up to this point. But carry on.

18th in points given up? Are you adjusting for the fact that we've played seven games, while a significant number of other teams have only played six?

 

[BlindFaith]

That is going to be a very tough sell given the improved 3rd down percentages this year.

Up from 43.33, still only good for 18th best.

 

[Direwolf63]

The defense is making plays key tackles, INTs, pass deflections. But I have a hard time believing, that they make those same types of plays if the offense isn't running the ball...

The defense IS stepping up because the offense is making the game easier for them.

I would like to see how they perform if Murray is held down to say 50-60 yrds.

I don't think anybody would deny that some of the success of the defense is because the offense is on the field more. One side of the ball helping the other side of the ball is the very definition of a team sport.

So the offense has helped. But the defense has made plays too, especially on 3rd down.

How many 200 yard rushers were there against us last year?

That being said, we are at least one more draft away from becoming a very good defense. We are OK now, but that's about it.

 

[Sportsbabe]

We are 19th at stopping them on 3rd down. We are 18th in points given up. We got those numbers by facing 5 of the top 10 worse offenses in the league up to this point. But carry on.

We are 6-1 and playing who are on our schedule. I'm good with that.