Some Random Defensive Statistics

[PF_SU]

This season's defensive performance was really marked by the stark difference between weeks 1-6 and 7-17. It was almost as if two different units were out there. In the first six weeks of the season every opponent cracked 400 yards of offense and 300 yards passing. Since then only the Pittsburgh Steelers have surpassed 400 yards of total offense and no QB has passed for over 300 yards. Through week 6 the defense allowed 152 points (25.3 per game). Since then the D has allowed 123 points (12.3 per game). Therefore it makes sense to take two looks at the defensive performance this season.

Pre-week 7
6.61 yards per play (32nd), 18 TDs (T-32nd), 137 1st Downs (32nd), 43.4% 3D Conversion (26th)
7.80 yards per pass play (32nd), 14 TDs (T-32nd), 97 1st Downs (32nd), 14 sacks (T-15th)
4.63 yards per rush (25th), 4 TDs (T-12th), 40 1st Downs (25th)

Post-week 7
5.16 yards per play (12th), 12 TDs (1st), 173 1st Downs (T-10th), 37.1% 3D Conversion (12th)
5.42 yards per pass play (4th), 10 TDs (5th), 112 1st Downs (8th), 28 sacks (5th)
4.73 yards per rush (30th), 2 TDs (T-1st), 61 1st Downs (T-16th)

Interesting is also to see some situational numbers (all post-week 7).

Redzone D
2.28 yards per play (8th), 22.7% 1st Down percentage (5th), 4.0% TO percentage (1st)
2.00 yards per pass play (7th), 8 TDs (T-6th), 3 INTs (1st)
3.11 yards per rush (24th), 1 TD (1st)

Passing Defense between opponents 1 and 29 yards lines
7.60 yards per play (27th), 33.3% 1st Down percentage (25th), 11 sacks (T-4th)

Passing Defense from opponents 30 yard line onwards
4.57 yards per play (1st), 27.6% 1st Down percentage (4th), 17 sacks (T-11th)

Rushing Defense from opponents 30 yards line onwards in the 1st half
3.55 yards per rush (7th)

Rushing Defense from opponents 30 yards line onwards in the 2nd half
4.97 yards per rush (31st)

3rd Down and 5 or more yards to go
4.34 yards per play (4th), 18.4% conversion rate (2nd)
3.86 yards per pass play (3rd), 15.7% conversion rate (1st)
10.00 yards per rush (29th), 50% conversion rate (T-31st) --> total of 6 plays

3rd Down and 4 or less yards to go
4.82 yards per play (13th), 62.5% conversion rate (26th)
6.06 yards per pass play (21st), 54.5% conversion rate (22nd)
3.04 yards per rush (8th), 73.9% conversion rate (25th)

Plays gaining 20 or more yards
29 (4th), 3 TDs (T-2nd)

 

[Ring 6]

Great contribution!!
I’m curious where you find these stats.

 

[PF_SU]

Great contribution!!
I’m curious where you find these stats.

Using various filters upon the Game Play Finder of pro-football-reference.com

 

[Ring 6]

Using various filters upon the Game Play Finder of pro-football-reference.com

Awesome.

 

[Doctor DDS]

Great stuff. Defense has been more than solid for past 10 weeks. Once the secondary ironed out their communication problems and the DL settled into their roles they have done a much better job eliminating big plays. The schedule was more challenging than last year for the defense as the Pats only really played one completely inept QB (Petty yesterday) whereas last year they had several games against rookies or backups.

 

[jmt57]

Here's another bump-worthy post full of great defensive info.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Here's another bump-worthy post full of great defensive info.

At your convenience, Bump the thread with Matt Chatham's podcast.

 

[Nikolai]

More great stats. Well done!

 

[Oswlek]

Random.... but still enlightening. Great work.