FanPost

What is everyone else missing?

Earlier I had done a post on what the Boys are missing. The jyst of the story was that this team is another pass rusher or playmaking DB away from being a really good defense. The O is quite capable of competing with anyone, some upgrades on the interior O line would really push them to an elite level, but even now they can play with anyone. That got me thinking about what everybody else may be missing, so let’s look at the rest of the NFC playoff contenders and see what they are lacking



Lets start off with some stats, love me some stats, especially a good table

Team YPP - O YPR - O YPP(both) YPP - D YPR - D YPP (both D) 4+ sack 4+ int Fumb Rec YP PR YP KR Int/ST scores
Green Bay 9.2 4 6.4 7.7 4.7 6.2 2 3 9 11.5 25.2 6
New Orleans 8.2 4.7 6.5 7.1 4.9 5.8 3 0 15 9.6 25.3 2
San Fransisco 7.1 4.2 5 6.9 3.3 5.1 4 2 18 12.3 27.2 3
Detroit 7.3 4.3 5.8 6.6 5.2 5.4 3 2 16 8.4 23.6 4
Atlanta 7.3 3.9 5.5 7.2 4 5.4 3 1 11 9.6 23.3 1
Dallas 8.1 4.5 6.1 7.3 4.2 5.5 3 2 12 7.6 22.8 1
NY 8.2 3.4 5.9 7.8 4.5 5.8 3 2 12 7.4 23.2 0
Philly 7.6 5.2 6.1 7.6 4.3 5.4 3 1 9 6.2 21.4 1
YPP - Yards per pass 4+ sackers - Players with at least 4 sacks YP KR - Yards per kick return
YPR - Yards per rush 4+ int - Players with at least 4 interceptions Int/ST scores - interception or ST scores
YPP (both) - Total yards per play YP PR - Yards per punt return

Green Bay – Offensively this is a very Rogers centric team. When he is playing at the level he is playing at that works for them. They have a real good group of receivers that go deeper in quality than anyone else in the league. The O-line blocks well, the RBs are nothing special. Defensively, they have several guys with 3 or more sacks but Matthews isn’t dominating (only 6 sacks). The real defensive strength is the secondary, 5 guys with 3 or more interceptions. They have a dynamic return game and solid kickers. What are they lacking? Pass rush and RB.

New Orleans – Offensively they lack nothing. They have a group of receivers that go almost as deep as the Pack. They have a group of RBs that collectively offer game breaking, pile moving, or whatever and they have Brees, and the O-line is solid. Defensively they have some issues. They’re leading sack guy is a DB, they don’t get many interceptions, they give up nearly 5 yards per carry. They create and recover a lot of fumbles though. They also have a dynamic return game and solid kickers. What are they lacking? pass rusher and secondary playmaker and a run stuffer or two.

San Fran – Offensively this is a control the ball, don’t turn it over team. That seems to be all they try to do. They have a good O-line and a good RB in Gore, they have a couple of good receivers but not much depth and I am not sold on Smith, don’t think he can win a game for you, but he can certainly not lose it. Defensively, this is a great group at stuffing the run, 3.3 ypc is awesome. They have 3 guys with 6 or more sacks and two guys with 6 interceptions. They also have a dynamic return game and solid kickers. What are they lacking? QB and Reciever playmaker.

Detroit – Offensively this is an all out air blitz. This team couldn’t run out of a wet paper bag, but they have some dynamic weapons in the pass game. The O-line is adequate. Defensively, they have gotten a lot of fumbles and they have scored quite a bit. They don’t have a real dynamic presence in the secondary. The return game is so so and the kickers are adequate. What are they missing? RB and pass rush

Atlanta – Offensively they throw the ball well. They are committed to the run and do ok with it, but are certainly not a game breaking threat. Defensively they are tough to run on. The pass rush is ok, but certainly not dynamic. The secondary does not have many playmakers. The return game is mediocre and the kickers are ok. What are they missing? Dynamic RB and playmaker in the secondary.

NY Giants – Much like Detroit, they pass all day and can’t seem to run, unless it is against the Boys. Defensively they have issues, they can’t stop the pass or the run. The return game and kickers are mediocre. What are they missing? Dynamic RB and playmaker in the secondary.

Philly – They can run the ball, the passing game is alright but not consistently a big play maker. Defensively they only have one guy with 4+ interceptions, that was a bit surprising to me. They really have not made a lot of plays in the secondary or in recovering fumbles. The return game has been surprisingly mediocre and the kicker poor the punter good. What are they missing? Consistency and defensive plays (seems like they have the players but they don’t make plays consistently in the pass game and the secondary doesn’t make int’s)

As you can see, all the teams in the playoff field have holes. It seems like the Pack and Saints really excel on offense and special teams. San Fran excels on defense and special teams. Everyone else seems to not quite have the same level of excellence on one of the three phases. I think all of these teams are beatable, even the Pack.

So if the Boys can get in the playoffs they can beat anybody, they can also get beat by anybody.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.