In quoting a guy who had the power to wipe out half the UNIVERSE, I was just overstating a fact that I have been carping about for years. In my humble opinion, at team's TO ratio (Plus/Minus) is the best indicator of how a team is doing.
Disclaimer: NO single stat will tell the absolute true story in a game of football. Every stat needs to be viewed within the CONTEXT of the game. TO's are just the same. A pick or fumble recovery in a game you are down by 3 scores late in the game means nothing really. Just as it means less if you get one in a game you are already completely in control of. BUT if we are looking for a really good INDICATOR of how a team is doing. Try looking at their recent TO ratio.
FYI - Currently there are TWELVE teams in the league with 3 wins. That's how close things are in the league this year nearly ANYONE is a legitimate playoff contend after the first 3rd of the season. There are just 8 team (4 in each conference) that have winning records. There is only ONE team in the AFC that has 4 losses (3 in the NFC) That is how close things are across the league this year.
There are 16 teams in the league who have a +1 or better in TO's Statistically that's exactly what you'd expect.
Want to know why the Eagles are have an undefeated season, you just have to look at their TO ratio. They are a +12, a full 8 points better than anyone in the league. The rest of the plus teams are all grouped closely into a plus 1 to 4 with the Pats quickly moving from -5 to plus one in just 2 games. 2 games we just happen to win big. (and don't forget about the 8 4th down stops.)
Of those 15 teams grouped from +1 to +4 only 3 have won less than 3 games. Want to know how such a crap teams like the Texans and Steelers have managed 2 wins, you just have to look at their +3/+1 OT ratios.
Locally the Pats went from -5 to +1 in just 2 games. It's no coincidence. Even the in the Packer loss. The main reason we were in that game all the way was the fact we were +2 in that game, including one for a TD.. So all those who want to say Zappe is the main reason for the Pats success., take a closer look The Pats have been a +TEN over the last 3 games. that Zappe as the primary QB and the Pats have been the beneficiary those TA's
No hit on Zappe, just a reminder that there are many factors in wins and TO's are big ones affecting games.
Interesting fact. We have created 10 TO's in the last 3 games, only 2 in the first 3. We are now tied with the Ravens for 3rd best with 12, Two behind the Eagles and one behind the Bills.
Warning - This improbable surge of TO's over the last 3 games is NOT sustainable. It just isn't. 10 TO's in just 3 games is amazing. Even better we only gave away the ball 2 times. That a credit to the QB, but also the return men, the RB's AND all the receivers as well.
Buffalo has the 2nd most TO's like I said at 13, they also have 10 TAKEaway, which I found interesting.. I'd wager some of the TA's had a big part of their one loss;
WE have the dubious honor of being #1 that category at +11 Mac's 5 picks didn't help, but the 5 fumbles have hurt as well - OOPS after rechecking, we are NOT the worst in takeaways. We are tied with the Colts PLUS the Rams and the Saints both have 13. If you want to know why the Superbowl Champion Rams are just 3-3 You only have to look at those 13 TO's and their 2nd worst -5 TO ratio. For US it is not exactly a feather in our caps that we are only CLOSE to be the worst in TA's.
OK I admit it. I have gone down that rabbit hole of statistics and started to ramble. Still I maintain that if you look at the TO ratio of games, even if its by plus one, you will find that you will find the winner, and I'd bet the percentage will be over 80%. I'm guess some who can ride the internet better than I can find that Stat somewhere. Myself I have to go to the gym and create pain for myself.
Disclaimer: NO single stat will tell the absolute true story in a game of football. Every stat needs to be viewed within the CONTEXT of the game. TO's are just the same. A pick or fumble recovery in a game you are down by 3 scores late in the game means nothing really. Just as it means less if you get one in a game you are already completely in control of. BUT if we are looking for a really good INDICATOR of how a team is doing. Try looking at their recent TO ratio.
FYI - Currently there are TWELVE teams in the league with 3 wins. That's how close things are in the league this year nearly ANYONE is a legitimate playoff contend after the first 3rd of the season. There are just 8 team (4 in each conference) that have winning records. There is only ONE team in the AFC that has 4 losses (3 in the NFC) That is how close things are across the league this year.
There are 16 teams in the league who have a +1 or better in TO's Statistically that's exactly what you'd expect.
Want to know why the Eagles are have an undefeated season, you just have to look at their TO ratio. They are a +12, a full 8 points better than anyone in the league. The rest of the plus teams are all grouped closely into a plus 1 to 4 with the Pats quickly moving from -5 to plus one in just 2 games. 2 games we just happen to win big. (and don't forget about the 8 4th down stops.)
Of those 15 teams grouped from +1 to +4 only 3 have won less than 3 games. Want to know how such a crap teams like the Texans and Steelers have managed 2 wins, you just have to look at their +3/+1 OT ratios.
Locally the Pats went from -5 to +1 in just 2 games. It's no coincidence. Even the in the Packer loss. The main reason we were in that game all the way was the fact we were +2 in that game, including one for a TD.. So all those who want to say Zappe is the main reason for the Pats success., take a closer look The Pats have been a +TEN over the last 3 games. that Zappe as the primary QB and the Pats have been the beneficiary those TA's
No hit on Zappe, just a reminder that there are many factors in wins and TO's are big ones affecting games.
Interesting fact. We have created 10 TO's in the last 3 games, only 2 in the first 3. We are now tied with the Ravens for 3rd best with 12, Two behind the Eagles and one behind the Bills.
Warning - This improbable surge of TO's over the last 3 games is NOT sustainable. It just isn't. 10 TO's in just 3 games is amazing. Even better we only gave away the ball 2 times. That a credit to the QB, but also the return men, the RB's AND all the receivers as well.
Buffalo has the 2nd most TO's like I said at 13, they also have 10 TAKEaway, which I found interesting.. I'd wager some of the TA's had a big part of their one loss;
WE have the dubious honor of being #1 that category at +11 Mac's 5 picks didn't help, but the 5 fumbles have hurt as well - OOPS after rechecking, we are NOT the worst in takeaways. We are tied with the Colts PLUS the Rams and the Saints both have 13. If you want to know why the Superbowl Champion Rams are just 3-3 You only have to look at those 13 TO's and their 2nd worst -5 TO ratio. For US it is not exactly a feather in our caps that we are only CLOSE to be the worst in TA's.
OK I admit it. I have gone down that rabbit hole of statistics and started to ramble. Still I maintain that if you look at the TO ratio of games, even if its by plus one, you will find that you will find the winner, and I'd bet the percentage will be over 80%. I'm guess some who can ride the internet better than I can find that Stat somewhere. Myself I have to go to the gym and create pain for myself.
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