Defensive Pass Rankings - Two ends of the spectrum

[DiResta]

I posted about this earlier

teams are completing passes at a high percentage though not necessarily for that much yardage or points
the Cowboys haven't faced a great passing offense yet, either. like KC, Rams, Falcons, Saints, etc..

 

[CCBoy]

Yeah, which would be the QB's right side. Opposing QB have had success between the numbers too.
Left 32 of 45 260 yd 0 td 0 int 5.8 ypa 85.4
Middle 19 of 24 182 yd 2 td 0 int 7.6 ypa 126.0
Right 39 of 55 497 yd 3 td 0 int 9.0 ypa 117.0

The quarterback rating against the left side of Dallas defense, is insane...

 

[buybuydandavis]

It's interesting that the Cowboys pass defense is ranked on opposite ends as it relates to key statistics:

• Cowboys are 8th best as measured by passing yards allowed with 208.5 per game
• Cowboys are tied as the 27th worst pass defense as measured by defensive passer rating at 105.9

I guess the conclusion here is that the pass defense overall is pretty good overall in coverage, however, has next to no play making capabilities as it relates to interceptions.

Yards per game is a crappy metric for our defense, given our low scoring, ball control offense. Breaking it down to passing yards allowed is even worse.

Football Outsiders defensive per drive stats - but currently only through week 3
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestatsdef

We were 12th in Points per Drive and Drive Success Rate. I assume that gets worse after they calculate week 4.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Ultimately points allowed is far more important than either stat, and we are doing well in that category.

Per drive.

 

[percyhoward]

Ultimately points allowed is far more important than either stat, and we are doing well in that category.

Points allowed -- and this is assuming it doesn't include return TD when the defense wasn't even on the field -- doesn't take the number of opponent drives into account. You have to look at points per drive. We're 14th in points allowed per drive, if you count kneel-down drives, as Pro Football Reference does. Football Outsiders' numbers will be more accurate when they come out.

And even then, points per drive has only a slightly stronger correlation to wins than passer rating. Those two are right up there along with drive success rate in win correlation.