07-28-2015, 09:45 AM
The discussion was on why the Bengals have been getting blown out in second halves of the 4 playoff games and I found these statistics to be interesting:
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/07/28/why-have-bengals-been-battered-second-half--playoff-games/30731653/
I've always said it would be helpful if the vaunted defense that seems to be the reason we make the playoffs every year would be able to generate turnovers, which are critical in playoff games. Especially given how bad we have been in turning the ball over ourselves. Also, why have we been so reliant on the passing game if they don't trust Dalton? Is it because they've trusted the running game even less?
Quote:At halftime, the Bengals trailed by three points or less twice, led by three against San Diego and were within a touchdown in the first Houston game. Yet, in the third quarters of the playoff games, they called 32 passes to 17 runs. Last year against Indianapolis, Hue Jackson passed nine times and ran four. Whether turning back to the running game serves as the answer or the imbalance can be attributed to a general freak out, clearly an adjustment must be made to sustain drives coming out of halftime.
Quote:In 24 second-half possessions, the Bengals have turned it over eight times, or 33.3 percent of the time. That's astounding. Conversely, the defense has forced exactly zero turnovers in 22 second-half possessions by Houston, San Diego and Indianapolis.
Quote:A total of 17 NFL teams have played at least two playoff games in the last four years. Of those, the second-half stats prove how dreadful the Bengals have been after halftime compared to the rest. Cincinnati ranks dead last among those teams in the following offensive categories:
Yards per play: 4.26
First down percentage: 23.8 percent
Touchdowns per game: 0
Percentage of pass plays: 77 percent (tied w/ Detroit)
Worst passer rating in second half of playoff games last four years (min 20 attempts)
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati: 43.1
T.J. Yates, Houston: 54.2
Matt Stafford, Detroit: 67.5
Matt Ryan, Atlanta: 69.4
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis: 71.3
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh: 81.8
Bengals' average yards allowed per rush last four years
Regular season: 4.07
Playoffs: 4.72
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/07/28/why-have-bengals-been-battered-second-half--playoff-games/30731653/
I've always said it would be helpful if the vaunted defense that seems to be the reason we make the playoffs every year would be able to generate turnovers, which are critical in playoff games. Especially given how bad we have been in turning the ball over ourselves. Also, why have we been so reliant on the passing game if they don't trust Dalton? Is it because they've trusted the running game even less?
