Digging a bit deeper into the splits of the defense in the first four week it's extremely startling just how inconsistent the defense has been. Not from a game-to-game basis but from a half-to-half basis within a single game. If you take the best halves of each game the defense looks like a legit contender for best defense in the league. Take the worst halves of each game and the D looks like the worst defense out there. Now, every team will experience a certain measure of fluctuation. The best defenses will look mortal for a drive, a quarter or even a half. And the worst defenses can put together an occasional fight too. But the Jekyll-and-Hyde like inconsistency of the defense through week four has been extreme. To put it into numbers:
Week 1 vs Arizona
First half: 30 plays, 157 yards, seven points, one three-and-out, 3-7 third down conversions in five drives. 6 plays, 31.4 yards and 1.4 points per drive.
Second half: 29 plays, 183 yards, 14 points, 3-5 third down conversions in four drives. 7.25 plays, 45.8 yards and 3.5 points per drive.
Week 2 vs Miami
First half: 28 plays, 138 yards, three points, three three-and-outs, 1-5 third down conversions in seven drives. 4 plays, 19.7 yards and 0.43 points per drive.
Second half: 34 plays, 320 yards, 21 points, 4-5 third down conversions in five drives. 6.8 plays, 64 yards and 4.2 points per drive.
Week 3 vs Houston
First half: 34 plays, 136 yards, zero points, 4-8 third down conversions in five drives. 6.8 plays, 27.2 yards and 0 points per drive.
Second half: 34 plays, 127 yards, zero points, one three-and-out, 2-7 third down conversions in five drives. 6.8 plays, 25.4 yards and 0 points per drive.
Week 4 vs Buffalo
First half: 42 plays, 221 yards, 13 points, 4-7 third down conversions in four drives. 10.5 plays, 55.3 yards and 3.25 points per drive.
Second half: 35 plays, 122 yards, three points, one three-and-out, 3-8 third down conversions in five drives. 7 plays and 24.4 yards and 0.6 points per drive.
Splits
Best halves of each game: 127 plays, 544 yards, 13 points, six three-and-outs, 9-27 third down conversions (33.3%) in 22 drives. 5.8 plays, 24.7 yards and 0.6 points per drive.
Worst halves of each game: 139 plays, 860 yards, 48 points, no three-and-outs, 15-25 third down conversions (60%) in 18 drives. 7.7 plays, 47.8 yards and 2.7 points per drive.
Combined: 266 plays, 1404 yards, 61 points, six three-and-outs, 24-52 third down conversions (46.2%) in 40 drives. 6.7 plays, 35.1 yards and 1.5 points per drive.
Comparison
Minnesota Vikings: 5.8 plays, 26.8 yards and 1.11 points per drive.
Seattle Seahawks: 5.4 plays, 24.5 yards and 1.18 points per drive.
Denver Broncos: 5.9 plays, 24.3 yards and 1.39 points per drive.
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Atlanta Falcons: 6.3 plays, 37.9 yards and 2.59 points per drive.
New Orleans Saints: 6.3 plays, 38.3 yards and 2.61 points per drive.
Washington Redskins: 6.6 plays, 40.2 yards and 2.73 points per drive.
Week 1 vs Arizona
First half: 30 plays, 157 yards, seven points, one three-and-out, 3-7 third down conversions in five drives. 6 plays, 31.4 yards and 1.4 points per drive.
Second half: 29 plays, 183 yards, 14 points, 3-5 third down conversions in four drives. 7.25 plays, 45.8 yards and 3.5 points per drive.
Week 2 vs Miami
First half: 28 plays, 138 yards, three points, three three-and-outs, 1-5 third down conversions in seven drives. 4 plays, 19.7 yards and 0.43 points per drive.
Second half: 34 plays, 320 yards, 21 points, 4-5 third down conversions in five drives. 6.8 plays, 64 yards and 4.2 points per drive.
Week 3 vs Houston
First half: 34 plays, 136 yards, zero points, 4-8 third down conversions in five drives. 6.8 plays, 27.2 yards and 0 points per drive.
Second half: 34 plays, 127 yards, zero points, one three-and-out, 2-7 third down conversions in five drives. 6.8 plays, 25.4 yards and 0 points per drive.
Week 4 vs Buffalo
First half: 42 plays, 221 yards, 13 points, 4-7 third down conversions in four drives. 10.5 plays, 55.3 yards and 3.25 points per drive.
Second half: 35 plays, 122 yards, three points, one three-and-out, 3-8 third down conversions in five drives. 7 plays and 24.4 yards and 0.6 points per drive.
Splits
Best halves of each game: 127 plays, 544 yards, 13 points, six three-and-outs, 9-27 third down conversions (33.3%) in 22 drives. 5.8 plays, 24.7 yards and 0.6 points per drive.
Worst halves of each game: 139 plays, 860 yards, 48 points, no three-and-outs, 15-25 third down conversions (60%) in 18 drives. 7.7 plays, 47.8 yards and 2.7 points per drive.
Combined: 266 plays, 1404 yards, 61 points, six three-and-outs, 24-52 third down conversions (46.2%) in 40 drives. 6.7 plays, 35.1 yards and 1.5 points per drive.
Comparison
Minnesota Vikings: 5.8 plays, 26.8 yards and 1.11 points per drive.
Seattle Seahawks: 5.4 plays, 24.5 yards and 1.18 points per drive.
Denver Broncos: 5.9 plays, 24.3 yards and 1.39 points per drive.
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Atlanta Falcons: 6.3 plays, 37.9 yards and 2.59 points per drive.
New Orleans Saints: 6.3 plays, 38.3 yards and 2.61 points per drive.
Washington Redskins: 6.6 plays, 40.2 yards and 2.73 points per drive.