09-26-2023, 04:21 PM
(09-26-2023, 03:53 PM)KillerGoose Wrote: Yeah, it was because of his efficiency in the first three quarters that it feels like more. He also had a couple of chunk runs that were nice. Mixon averaged 4.6 YPC on 12 runs through the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, he averaged 1.28 on seven runs.
I think he's running a little better than his stats show. The 'eye test' suggests to me we're doing a little better with the run game than last year, but not by a ton. Certainly not enough to carry games when Joe can't throw. And that's the issue here. We'd have a lot more leeway with Burrow's calf if we had a run game to fall on. Instead, it's moreorless hope the defence is shutdown or we will need more from the passing game. Our run game will scare absolutely nobody in pregame preparations.
As for comparisons to the AFC North... well we're currently not a 'typically' AFC North team. Defensively, yes we're physical and tough to move the ball on when we're on it. We can trudge good offences down to 24 points or less. Offensively... we're a pass heavy team who don't win in the trenches against the DL (generally) and can't run the ball. So I don't think we stack up so great against the AFC North on paper in direct competition, but I'd also say I don't think any of the other AFC North teams are as 'serious' Super Bowl contenders as we are. The Ravens might get hot and do so, but I don't think they're as big a threat to the Chiefs/Bills as we are.
