What it takes to be a playoff team
 

This morning I was watching NFL network and they were running stats. I have never been a stats guy but I was surprised at what it showed.

In the [B]2008 regular season[/B] stats

The top [B]passing [/B]teams:
1) [B]N. O. Saints[/B] - did not make the playoffs
2) [B]Arizona Cardinals[/B] - made it but I am not impressed. They will get beat soon.
3) [B]Denver Broncos[/B] - Did not make the playoffs
4) [B]Houston Texans[/B] - Did not make the playoffs
5) [B]Philly[/B] - Good team

The Top [B]Running [/B]Teams:
1) [B]NY Giants[/B]- Solid playoff team
2) [B]Atlanta Falcons[/B]- average playoff team
3) [B]Carolina Panthers[/B]- Solid playoff team
4) [B]Baltimore Ravens[/B]- Solid playoff team
5) [B]Minn.[/B] Vikings-ok team

The Top [B]Defense [/B] fewest points allowed:
1) Pittsburgh Steelers
2) Tenn. Titans
3) Baltimore Ravens
4) Philadelphia Eagles
5) NY Giants

You have run the ball and play defense.
The passing game while important enough to be balanced on offense, is clearly overrated. The teams that can run the ball effectively a dn play good defense usually win.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

All those teams have good offensive and defensive lines. We Don't.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=Defensewins;517696]This morning I was watching NFL network and they were running stats. I have never been a stats guy but I was surprised at what it showed.

In the [B]2008 regular season[/B] stats

The top [B]passing [/B]teams:
1) [B]N. O. Saints[/B] - did not make the playoffs
2) [B]Arizona Cardinals[/B] - made it but I am not impressed. They will get beat soon.
3) [B]Denver Broncos[/B] - Did not make the playoffs
4) [B]Houston Texans[/B] - Did not make the playoffs
5) [B]Philly[/B] - Good team

The Top [B]Running [/B]Teams:
1) [B]NY Giants[/B]- Solid playoff team
2) [B]Atlanta Falcons[/B]- average playoff team
3) [B]Carolina Panthers[/B]- Solid playoff team
4) [B]Baltimore Ravens[/B]- Solid playoff team
5) [B]Minn.[/B] Vikings-ok team

The Top [B]Defense [/B] fewest points allowed:
1) Pittsburgh Steelers
2) Tenn. Titans
3) Baltimore Ravens
4) Philadelphia Eagles
5) NY Giants

You have run the ball and play defense.
The passing game while important enough to be balanced on offense, is clearly overrated. The teams that can run the ball effectively a dn play good defense usually win.[/quote]

Its not just playing good run yds and pass yds stats D its having a D that doesnt allow the other team to score.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=irish;517724]Its not just playing good run yds and pass yds stats D its having a D that doesnt allow the other team to score.[/quote]

That is the [B]third[/B] stat I put in Defense [B]fewest points allowed[/B] stat.

My point in creating this thread is passing game is not as important as the media, fantasy footballers and fans make it out to be. Running the ball and playing good defense wins championships.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=Defensewins;517727]That is the [B]third[/B] stat I put in Defense [B]fewest points allowed[/B] stat.

My point in creating this thread is passing game is not as important as the media, fantasy footballers and fans make it out to be. Running the ball and [B]playing good defense wins championships[/B].[/quote]

:woot:

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

Usually 10 wins but sometimes 11 wins is required to guarantee yourself a spot.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=Defensewins;517696]...
[B]You have run the ball and play defense[/B].
The passing game while important enough to be balanced on offense, is clearly overrated. The teams that can run the ball effectively a dn play good defense usually win.[/quote]
The teams that do both are teams that are stout in the trenches on both offense and defense. As long as our FO continues neglecting our interior personnel, especially in the draft, we will be a mediocre team at best. I mentioned in another thread that [I]Bill Parcells used 6 of his 9 picks in the 2008 draft on linemen[/I]. Parcells understands that you build a foundation of consistency by addressing the lines FIRST.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=Defensewins;517727]That is the [B]third[/B] stat I put in Defense [B]fewest points allowed[/B] stat.

My point in creating this thread is passing game is not as important as the media, fantasy footballers and fans make it out to be. Running the ball and playing good defense wins championships.[/quote]

Any good fantasy football owner knows that RB is the most important position.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=irish;517741]Any good fantasy football owner knows that RB is the most important position.[/quote]

you hit the nail sir

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=saden1;517736]Usually 10 wins but sometimes 11 wins is required to guarantee yourself a spot.[/quote]

Ha, and even this year 11 wins didn't guarantee the Patriots of a playoff spot.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=Gmanc711;517758]Ha, and even this year 11 wins didn't guarantee the Patriots of a playoff spot.[/quote]


LOL...true true...I knew I should have went with "win your division."


Seeing the Pats miss the playoffs was sweet.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

take a look at baltimore they have a great defense good offensive line.but little else and they made the playoffs and will go deep into them possibly to afc championship.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=SouperMeister;517738]The teams that do both are teams that are stout in the trenches on both offense and defense. As long as our FO continues neglecting our interior personnel, especially in the draft, we will be a mediocre team at best. I mentioned in another thread that [I]Bill Parcells used 6 of his 9 picks in the 2008 draft on linemen[/I]. Parcells understands that you build a foundation of consistency by addressing the lines FIRST.[/quote]

exactly

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

[quote=irish;517741]Any good fantasy football owner knows that RB is the most important position.[/quote]

Yeah but that's only because of supply and demand of featured RBs in fantasy football. That is a completely separate issue from the importance of running the ball successfully in a real NFL game, which of course chews up the clock, wears down the opposing defense, and reduces the risk of turnovers.

I think he's right, everyone wants to jump on the jocks of teams who fling it around. But if you can run and stop the run it's still the best way to win in the NFL.

And I agree with all who say the Redskins need to be stronger in the trenches to truly succeed.

Re: What it takes to be a playoff team
 

So... good teams run the ball well and stop the run.

I'm not trying to be a jerk but this school of thought is pretty much a no-brainer.

Each year teams and fans get caught up in the big passing games and all the pretty numbers, but in the end the teams that pound the rock and play good D are usually the last ones standing.