Patspsycho

Let's correct some misconceptions here- especially misleading stats.

What does it mean to have the best offense? It would be points scored, right?
Because the object is to have more points than the opponent after every game, correct?

Since that is what decides a win or loss, not any other stat.

In that regard, we ARE the #1 offense in the league, because we lead with 30.8 points per game.

What the Chargers have is the most YPG, and most passing yards, and those are meaningless stats if you don't have more points than the opponents at the end of the game. What this stat suggests to me is that the Chargers are not finishing their drives, and that they are very turnover prone.

And again, the Chargers do not have the best defense in the league- they only have the least yards per game allowed (and least passing yards allowed, which is a natural byproduct of the first stat), and the only thing that tells me is that the opponents are starting from very good field position, which is great news for us because we have one of, if not the best ST in the league. So you know we are going to capitalize on this, big time.

Points are what decide outcomes of games, and in this regard, the Chargers are almost giving up as much points per game as we are. They are giving up 21 points a game, to our 23.2 points a game.

Triumph

Totally agree.

Moving up and down the field is meaningless unless you score points and preferably TDs. When the Ravens had to settle for a FG on the opening drive, it was basically a moral victory for the NE D.

NE has scored the most points in the NFL.

Pitt has given up the fewest points in the NFL.

Chupacabra

I'd imagine that giving up, or scoring, special teams touchdowns would skew the yardage totals. Especially with a small sample size of 5 or 6 games.

I think the NE offense is much better than our offensive yards would indicate - given that we've scored 4 special teams TDs (and thus, 4 fewer offensive possessions).

SD's numbers are probably skewed in the same way, though they are probably a good defense and an elite offense.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

This is totally false and misleading.

The team leads the league in points scored at 30.8 points per game. However 5 of those TDs, occured on ST or def.

The Patriots lead the league in most points scored per game.

The Colts OFFENSE leads the league in most points scored on offense. The NEP is #6.

The Patriots are tied for first place in most TDs scored while not on offense at 5. Tied with ARZ.

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DropKickFlutie

In terms of rankings, Chargers are top 5 offense and defense.
The Cowboys supposedly have the best offense and defense in the league.

Both teams only have a few wins combined between them.

Just goes to show that even with loaded talent, inept head coaches like Norv Turner and Wade Phillips still manage to screw it up.

Kasmir

You can use a statistical system that attempts to adjust for all this, like Football Outsider's DVOA. By that opponent-adjusted measure, the Patriot's offense leads the league in per-play efficiency, while the Chargers are 5th:

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2010 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS

Also note that the Pats defense is 27th while the Chargers' is 4th. The Patriot's special teams are 4th in the league while the Chargers are 32nd and last.

Overall the Patriots are 3rd in the league at 29.0% DVOA while the Chargers are 13th at 10.6%. The special teams differential alone accounts for 27% disparity, i.e. If the Chargers somehow play even up Sunday in special teams they should easily win...

BradyMossWelker

Oh my god thank you. We really needed this thread. Didn't know this at all, cause there has never been another thread saying the same.

ctpatsfan77

Actually, they're not only 32nd and last, I believe they're the worst since FO began tracking stats.

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Steve:Section 102

Why can I hear the Hoodie in my head telling me "stats are for losers"

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patsox23

Dynamite post cabra. Great points, all. Hope you contribute more.