11-23-2017, 03:07 AM
(11-22-2017, 11:09 PM)bfine32 Wrote: But it's just not points. It's points and yards the 2 things a D is judged by. If a defense holds a team to top 12 in the league in yards and points then folks saying "but look at 3rd down conversions" are just looking for something to complain about.
If the season were to start today and someone told you the Bengal D will be top 12 in the NFL in points and yards, would your next question be "But what about 3rd down conversions?"
At nearly every NFL losing coaches presser he mentions losing on 3rd down both offense and defense as to why the game was lost. So one might think it's important ? In their minds anyways.
I've never heard one say "well we're still top 12 in the league in total defense even though we're 4 - 6, so there's that." "Even if we did let them convert 9 of 15 times on 3rd down including 4 of 8 yards plus."
BTW, we're only 12th in total yards allowed on defense. We're 6th in passing yards allowed most likely because the opposition hasn't had to throw much in the 2nd half. They can grind it out running the ball which is why we're 27th in rushing yards allowed at 122 per game. And we're 22nd in points allowed at 19.9 per game. We've been outscored in the 2nd half of games this season 102 - 54.
It matters, period ! You do understand their offense gets to stay on the field when they convert on 3rd down right ? Which means our offense is sitting on the sideline. It quite often changes field position. You have noticed we can't sustain drives or march the length of the field with any kind of regularity haven't you ?
Do you think having a short field once or twice a game would benefit this anemic offense any ?