What defensive statistic is the best measure of a defense

[ghst187]

Because we're evaluating the effectiveness of the D. That's how. Points allowed seldom gives you an accurate representation as there are too many factors involved such as starting field position, type of O, TO's, ST's. Every yard given up by the D was given up by the D. Points allowed is often a poor representation of how a D fared.

it’s also the only thing that really matters...

 

[Ring6]

Post-season shut-outs

 

[plasticman]

The question is are those examples consistent, or are the outliers?

From my perspective, the defense that allows the fewest points gives your team the best opportunity to win.

And the offense that scores the most points gives your team the best chance to win. That's rather obvious. But how do you get your defense to allow the fewest points and your offense to score more points simultaneously?

You want something that ends the opponent's drive and gives you an extra offensive drive, sometimes with excellent field position.

That would be defensive turnovers.

Or three and outs. A team can drive the length of the field and the defense creates a turnover inside their redzone. Compare that with offense gets the ball at their own 25 and you stop them with a three and out at inside the 35 yard line. Which would you rather have?

Which has the highest probability, receiving the punt and returning it close to the redone or creating a turnover close to the redzone?

Last season the turnovers were terrible but they still ended up with turnovers inside the opponent 30 yard line 5 times.