2011 Packers (15-1) had the worst defense

[iceberg]

can't wait to see the responses to this...

I've already seen them several times in several threads.

No minds were changed then, none now.

 

[percyhoward]

The 2011 Packers team that went 15-1 had the 32nd ranked defense in the league.

I found that interesting because there have been some questions about how much the Cowboys offense could carry the team this year if the defense just improved a little.

Cowboys 2013 415.3 yards/game

Packers 2011 411.6 yards/game

What saved the Packers defense was that they were tied for 1st in total takeaways with 38.

In 2013, the Cowboys were tied for 13th with 28 total takeaways.

Total yards doesn' t correlate to wins. It's a meaningless statistic. Green Bay led the NFL that year in a category called pass rating differential. This past season, Denver and Seattle were the top two in this category, so it's a great stat. All it is is your offense's pass rating minus your defense's. You basically need a top 10 QB and a top 10 pass defense, both as measured by passer rating.

In Dallas we have a perennial top 10 QB with a perennial bottom 10 pass defense, which keeps our differential--and thus our W-L record--in the middle of the league.

 

[EST_1986]

Amazing QB play goes along way not just arbitrary stats.

 

[percyhoward]

As long as your defense dominates in takeaways, you can cover up a lot of sins on yardage given up....but expecting to get turnovers is very dicey.
The same thing took place, somewhat, when the Saints won it all.

If anything, the OP shows how overwhelming the odds are against any team with a terrible defense. They basically need to lead the league in defensive turnovers AND have a totally dominant and efficient offense (like NO and GB did) to have a chance. That may happen once every 40 years.

It shows how you can't just focus on one element of passing (like yards). When you also include TD, INT, and attempts, the Packers allowed an 80.6 rating to the QB it faced, which ranked them 9th that year. Rodgers ranked 1st. There's your top 10 combo.

 

[percyhoward]

Amazing QB play goes along way not just arbitrary stats.

Bingo.

 

[CCBoy]

I've already seen them several times in several threads.

No minds were changed then, none now.

Yea, sometimes a fellow feels like kicking the wife and kissing the dog...

 

[Section446]

They also had Aaron Rodgers.

 

[percyhoward]

They also had Aaron Rodgers.

See post #64

 

[DFWJC]

They also had Aaron Rodgers.

And STILL went one and done in the playoffs.

 

[SDCowboy]

They also gave up "only" 359 points, or 22.4 per game. We gave up 432, or 27 per game.

Well that pretty much /threads this up.

 

[xwalker]

Total yards doesn' t correlate to wins. It's a meaningless statistic. Green Bay led the NFL that year in a category called pass rating differential. This past season, Denver and Seattle were the top two in this category, so it's a great stat. All it is is your offense's pass rating minus your defense's. You basically need a top 10 QB and a top 10 pass defense, both as measured by passer rating.

In Dallas we have a perennial top 10 QB with a perennial bottom 10 pass defense, which keeps our differential--and thus our W-L record--in the middle of the league.

What was the PR Diff for the 2011 Packers?

 

[percyhoward]

What was the PR Diff for the 2011 Packers?

Offense 122.6 - defense 80.6 = +42.0

 

[CCBoy]

There are people on site who really be listening to this thread...as it is the front door to seeing and understanding this past first NFL in a statistically relevant manner. Threshhold stuff and how teams are now approaching the game now.

 

[xwalker]

The emphasis on turnovers under Kiffin/Marinelli seemed to have really helped and we'll possibly be at least as good at it as we were last year. So much, though, is going to come down to whether this group of linemen can create adequate pressure. Plus, we're going to miss the takeaway machine that is Sean Lee.

It's just hard to foresee what this group will be able to do because there are so many unknowns, especially on the line.

I'm not too worried about the DL assuming that Melton's knee is OK. I'm convinced based on game footage that T. McClain is an upgrade at the 1-tech. I fell good about the combination of Lawrence and Mincey compared to an injured Ware with Everette Brown as his top backup. Selvie is likely returning to LDE ad should be OK. They have many backup options including Crawford and Okoye.

I'm more concerned about the 2nd Safety position and LB. I expect Wilcox to eventually be good but I don't know if that will be in game 1 of 2014.

 

[xwalker]

Offense 122.6 - defense 80.6 = +42.0

Where did that rank?

 

[ufcrules1]

Arod is a massive difference maker.

 

[percyhoward]

Where did that rank?

Led the NFL. That's what I was saying.

 

[xwalker]

Led the NFL. That's what I was saying.

Ahh, I see that now after re-reading your original reply.

Thats interesting.

 

[CCBoy]

Led the NFL. That's what I was saying.

Alas...some of us just aren't very good at reading minds. Thanks.

 

[percyhoward]

Arod is a massive difference maker.

Highest pass rating ever, although his defense helped him get there much more than Peyton's did when he set the record in 2004.