Opening drives must get better...

[Enlightened32]

On our 32 opening drives (first and second half) in 2011 we scored 9 TDs, 4 FGs, missed 1 FG, threw 4 INTs, fumbled twice, and punted 12 times. Wow..this has got to get better if we plan on making a deep run in the playoffs.

 

[Machete]

couldn't agree more, I scream at the screen every time they fail to score on the opening drive, especially when they are on the road. I do it so often, my wife mimics me.

 

[67CowboysFan]

I look for it to get better IF we can run the ball better this year.

 

[arglebargle]

On our 32 opening drives (first and second half) in 2011 we scored 9 TDs, 4 FGs, missed 1 FG, threw 4 INTs, fumbled twice, and punted 12 times. Wow..this has got to get better if we plan on making a deep run in the playoffs.

Interesting facts. How does this compare with the league average?

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Interesting facts. How does this compare with the league average?

I'm more interested in how it compares with playoff teams.

 

[Enlightened32]

Interesting facts. How does this compare with the league average?

I have no idea, but this is the break down.

1st Half 2nd Half
NYJ TD TD
SF M FG INT
Was FG INT
Det TD TD
NE INT FG
StL TD FMB
Phi Punt Punt
Sea Punt TD
Buf TD Punt
Was Punt Punt
Mia INT Punt
Ari Punt FG
NYG Punt FG
TB TD FMB
Phi Punt Punt
NYG Punt TD

 

[Zordon]

I was just thinking about this the other day.

We had so many drives stall right outside of field goal range (35-45 yd line).

I think a lot of people share in the blame too so a lot of different people can improve. (lack of run game, oline, romo decisions, garrett play calling, receiver drops, penalties).

 

[arglebargle]

I'm more interested in how it compares with playoff teams.

Both interesting benchmarks.

 

[Enlightened32]

I was just thinking about this the other day.

We had so many drives stall right outside of field goal range (35-45 yd line).

I think a lot of people share in the blame too so a lot of different people can improve. (lack of run game, oline, romo decisions, garrett play calling, receiver drops, penalties).

Agreed. Cant wait to see them out on the field in preseason. Time to get some of this fixed.

 

[Enlightened32]

I'm more interested in how it compares with playoff teams.

Lets just compare to the Super Bowl Champs...

New York Giants...
6 TDs, 1 FG, 5 INTs, 1 FMB, 1 Turnover on Downs, and 18 Punts

(9 TDs, 4 FGs, missed 1 FG, 4 INTs, 2 FMBs, and 12 punts)

 

[AdamJT13]

On our 32 opening drives (first and second half) in 2011 we scored 9 TDs, 4 FGs, missed 1 FG, threw 4 INTs, fumbled twice, and punted 12 times. Wow..this has got to get better if we plan on making a deep run in the playoffs.

You can't draw any conclusions about statistics without having the proper perspective.

Our TD percentage on those drives was .281, which would have ranked fourth in the NFL for all drives. Our points per drive was 2.34, which also would rank fourth in the NFL for all drives.

The only thing that wasn't very good about any of those stats was the six turnovers (.188), which would have ranked 31st.

 

[AdamJT13]

Lets just compare to the Super Bowl Champs...

New Giants...
6 TDs, 1 FG, 5 INTs, 1 FMB, 1 Turnover on Downs, and 18 Punts

(9 TDs, 4 FGs, missed 1 FG, 4 INTs, 2 FMBs, and 12 punts)

Which disproves the notion of "this has got to get better if we plan on making a deep run in the playoffs."

 

[Enlightened32]

You can't draw any conclusions about statistics without having the proper perspective.

Our TD percentage on those drives was .281, which would have ranked fourth in the NFL for all drives. Our points per drive was 2.34, which also would rank fourth in the NFL for all drives.

The only thing that wasn't very good about any of those stats was the six turnovers (.188), which would have ranked 31st.

Where did you get your stats from? I didnt have time to do every team in the league. By themselves the stats looked pretty bad.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Certainly, a great thought, but our real issues were turnovers and our defense. Fix those and we see big improvement.

 

[Hostile]

On our 32 opening drives (first and second half) in 2011 we scored 9 TDs, 4 FGs, missed 1 FG, threw 4 INTs, fumbled twice, and punted 12 times. Wow..this has got to get better if we plan on making a deep run in the playoffs.

Not trying to start anything. I was curious. In the Wild Card round of the Playoffs against the Falcons the Giants punted. In the Divisional round against the Packers they kicked a FG. In the Conference Championship against the 49ers they punted. In the Super Bowl against the Patriots they punted.

A wise old cowboy once told me, "It isn't how much mud and dust you kick up in the front stretch that matters, it is who is kicking up mud and dust in the home stretch that matters."

 

[Enlightened32]

Not trying to start anything. I was curious. In the Wild Card round of the Playoffs against the Falcons the Giants punted. In the Divisional round against the Packers they kicked a FG. In the Conference Championship against the 49ers they punted. In the Super Bowl against the Patriots they punted.

A wise old cowboy once told me, "It isn't how much mud and dust you kick up in the front stretch that matters, it is who is kicking up mud and dust in the home stretch that matters."

Ummmm...you only covered one half...there are two.

Against the Falcons they punted on their first possession, but scored a FG to start the second half.

Against the Packers they scored a FG on their first possession, but punted to start the second half.

Against the 49ers they punted on their first possession, and punted to start the second half.

Against the Patriots they punted on their first possession, but scored a FG to begin the second half.

Giving them a 37.5% scoring percentage on opening drives.

 

[hra8700]

Adam stole my post. Google football outsiders drive stats

 

[Enlightened32]

Adam stole my post. Google football outsiders drive stats

That just shows all drives. I was just doing opening ones. As in the opening drive to each half.

 

[hra8700]

That just shows all drives. I was just doing opening ones. As in the opening drive to each half.

Do you assume on average there is any difference?

 

[Yuma Cactus]

As Hos so eloquently stated it isn't how you start. I'll take no scores on any 1st drives if I get a TD on every last drive and no points given up on D for the last drive.