So...

[*michaelsean*]

(11-27-2017, 06:06 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: We gave up 405 total yards, 21 first downs and 169 rush yards. To the Browns.

Last week, people were judging the offense based on what? The 190 yards, not the 20 points. Thing is, we all realize there's more to the offense than just points. They can't run. The pass blocking was abysmal for the first 8 weeks. We can talk in depth about the offense and ALL the stats that go along with it, but some get offended when we do the same with the defense.

The stats tell the story of what we watched on the field. We've been solid in pass defense and pressure. Awful against the run (28th), awful on 3rd downs (28th in % and dead last in 3rd down conversions allowed) and awful in takeaways (27th).

These are stats that I feel are truly underrated by fans (not by coaches, who talk about the turnover battle and 3rd downs constantly). Takeaways in particular are huge. Consider that the #1 team in takeaways (Jacksonville) has 15 more than us. This has led to a whopping 6 defensive TDs (we have 2) and 9 more possessions for their offense, often with good field position.

Also consider that the bad performance against the run and on 3rd downs are both critical to Time of Possession, meaning even fewer possessions for the offense...especially combined with lack of takeaways. This is not me defending the offense. Our franchise-worst rushing performance has heavily played into that. But what goes for the offense also goes for the defense. They have to stop the run and get off the field on 3rd downs.

That and a few more turnovers would help us put more points on the board AND allow even less (they're good in that department).

Yup yards are field position killers.  And I don't think they even sniffed an interception from the pickoff machine.