06-10-2025, 10:18 AM
(06-09-2025, 08:41 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Except, last year our defense got better as guys got injured and were replaced with younger guys.
Our offense was elite last year.
I'd blame no playoffs on:
1) Bad defense
2) No pass rush
3) Timely turnovers
4) Collapses in games we led
5) Timely bad kicking
I have been saying and will continue to: the offense is NOT elite. Good, but not great.
We pass more than anyone so Burrow & Chase put up big numbers, but our offensive production is not elite. We lose close games where the O has a chance to ice it.
We were one dimensional, we pass more on 3rd/4th & short than any team in the league and have one of the worst conversion rates.
Apologies, I cannot find that link at present. We were 21st on 4th down conversions overall.
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/fourth-down-conversion-pct
5th in 3rd down overall (which IS elite-ish). But much poorer on 3rd & short.
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/third-down-conversion-pct
Here is an article with us throwing 46% on 3rd/4th and 1, highest in the league. And showing that teams rinning convert 74% while teams passing convert 57%.
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/who-can-stop-eagles-tush-push-who-does-short-yardage-best
We were 6th in points, and I'd argue Philly was better because they scored almost as much on fewer possessions (running team vs passing team). Tied for 7th in points per drive with the Packers. 7th/8th of 32 is NOT elite in my book. Barely top 25%.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2024/index.htm
I believe we were around 15th in points per drive in the 4th quarter. And I know we were 9th in 4th quarter scoring, despite trailing a lot. 1st quarter: 4th. 2nd quarter: 13th. 3rd quarter: 5th. 4th: 9th.
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/4th-quarter-points-per-game
Again, big yardage does not mean elite performance. If we were more balanced, less obvious, better on short yardage, and couid run it better, we would be elite..
