Random statistical thoughts and musings to celebrate our ascent to the top of the NFC East and quietly gloat over the win against the Eagles.

1. Is it too early to talk playoffs?

Probably. But this little nugget should make us all feel a little better: When we've started 6-2, our record for making the playoffs is 10-1. The exception came in 1986 when Danny White broke his wrist after starting 6-2. The team ended 7-9. Hat tip to Terry for pointing out our playoff record at 5-2 last week.

2. Move the chains, gentlemen

For all the flak Garrett has been getting at times for his run/pass ratio and the over-/under utilisation of one or more of our RBs, here's a stat that should make us all very happy.

NFL leaders, First down percentage, Running backs with >200 rushing yards through week 9, 2009

3. "911 services have been restored in most areas. Please dial 919 if problems persist."

Nice to see RW having a fairly good game against the Eagles. While the RW discussion has centered mostly on his reception rate, one thing has been consistently overlooked: No pass thrown his way has been intercepted yet. That may have something to do with the quality (or lack thereof) of the passes thrown his way, may have something to do with RWs wild contortionist movements to try to get at the ball or simple pure luck.

While a receiver is usually measured by yards and reception rate, looking at receiver production through the passer rating system can also be enlightening:

Dallas Receivers: "Receiver Ratings" through week 9

4. All Hail Joe DeCamillis, King Of Hidden Yardage

Tony Sparano on the importance of hidden yardage: "The rule the way I learned it is 100 yards equals seven points. It isn't exact, it isn't 100 percent, but at the end of it, when you start adding it up, it's pretty close. You can make an argument that give or take a few yards, that's usually where the problem lies."

Football isn't only a game of yardage. Even more, it's a game of field position. That's why hidden yardage is so critical. Special Teams' play often determines who wins the field-position battle. Let's look at where we stand on kicking and returning:

Kicking

• Punts: Punts pinned inside the 20 are hidden-yardage victories because being pinned back close to the end zone limits the opposing offense's play calls. Dallas leads the league with 57% (20 of 35) of punts landing in the 20. Our Special Teams allow only 6.8 yards per punt return, a respectable 10th in the league.
  
• Kickoffs: Touchbacks on kickoffs are ideal, simply because they do not allow opponents to move beyond the 20. Despite not recording a Touchback in Philly, David Buehler still leads the league with 17 Touchbacks. Dallas is 2nd in the NFL in touchback percentage with 36.2, behind only the Panthers, and 4th in the league with a miserly 20.4 avg. return allowed.
  

Returning

• Punts: Punt returns of 10+ yards are considered good because they essentially mean one less first down the offense needs to score. Thanks in large part to Crayton's two TD returns, Dallas ranks second in the league with a 14.0 punt return average. Sadly, we also lead the league in another punt return stat, that of fumbles on punt returns, with 4.
  
• Kickoffs. At the end of the day, anything past the 20-yard line on kickoffs is gravy. Unfortunately, the Cowboys like their gravy by the teaspoon, where other teams like it by the gallon-jug: With a 21.9 Kickoff return average, we rank a disappointing 22nd in the league.
  

5. Yards After Catch

Yards after catch are a reflection of both the receiver's ability to run and elude tacklers after the catch as well as the QB's ability to deliver an accurate ball that gives the receiver a chance to get upfield.

Since we're celebrating with the good stuff this week, it should come as no suprise that through week 9, the Cowboys lead the league with 7.7 YAC per reception.

Raiders (6.4), Packers (6.4), Chargers (6.3) and the Eagles (6.0) round off the Top 5 in the league. Bottom 5: Saints (4.2), Bengals (4.2), Chiefs (4.2), Browns (4.2) and Jaguars (4.1).

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The sun is smiling on the Cowboys this week

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6. Love me some shotgun

In 2007, the Patriots became the first NFL team to run the shotgun formation on more than 50 percent of their plays. In theory, the shotgun gives defenses an easy key (especially for d-line and linebackers) to focus on the pass rush and not worry about the run as much. But the Patriots did ride it to a 16-0 record. So much for the theory.

So let's take a look at Gerrett's playbook this year and see how it compares to last year. In 2008, Garrett had the shotgun on the field for 43.9% of the Cowboys offensive plays (excl. knees & spikes). It's slightly down to 39.9% this year.

In 2008, 79.8% of all shotgun plays were pass plays. No significant change this year, as the number edges up slightly to 81.4%. The shotgun, or absence of it, should be an easy telegraph for defenses of which play to expect, particularly with the blatant obviousness that Garret runs pass plays from it. So I would expect the number of sacks to increase in the shotgun situations as our opponents bring heavy pressure with the pass rush.

In both years the sack rate on shotgun plays is higher. Interestingly, while it has fallen to 4.1% this year on shotgun plays, it has actually increased on non-shotgun plays (1.5% to 3.1%). Detailed numbers below:

Playcalling 2008 vs. 2009 (excl. kneels & spikes)

7. There's a first time for everything

• Tony Romo recorded his 20th 300+ passing game. Especially memorable as it came against the Eagles.
• After recording his first NFL ST tackle against Seattle, David Buehler recorded his first two-tackle game on ST yesterday - on his own kickoffs no less. It's now official, I have a man-crush on Buehler and it's not just because of his porn-stache :-)