04-21-2016, 02:46 PM
(04-21-2016, 02:17 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: I get what you're saying and I definitely agree that what you do on 1st & 2nd downs has a huge affect on your 3rd downs. That said, 3rd downs are emphasized by media (and coaches) because if you don't convert, it obviously stops the drive and keeps you from scoring. Also, 3rd downs are bigger because there's more pressure and if a team keeps converting 3rd downs, it can really wear out a defense and break their will.
Just think about how it feels as a fan to watch Ben escape a sack and convert 3rd down after 3rd down. Now imagine how the players feel.
All games do matter for the standings, but there is obviously more pressure (for good teams) to win in December. You have more division games then, and often times there's more pressure in those games because teams realize the division or the top seeds are 1 win or 1 loss away.
and P.S. if the reason JD said that was to make Eli seem better than Big Ben, sad. Big Ben much better than Eli.
Pressure just builds as the season progresses and it culminates with the playoffs.
I agreed with you that 3rd downs are the most important but I recently started following a bunch of sports statistic companies and one of them posted this interesting thing that said
"1st down efficiency is more highly correlated to scoring than 2nd or 3rd down. 40%+ of football takes place on 1st down."
I agree with you 3rd downs probably effect the game more with the momentum swings and psychological part of the game, for sure. but I did find that tidbit of info about 1st downs and scoring interesting. Then again, more 3rd down effectiveness leads to more first downs... They play hand in hand really.
Just like the games. Gotta play well in November and finish in December. I think we are all in agreement here lol
