re: are we better on defense? I keep hearing that we are, but the stats show different

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The only numbers better than last year or our 3rd down numbers and "HAVOK".

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Wrong again. Turnovers and Sacks are both improved significantly over the first three games last season. As if those don’t mean anything when it comes to getting stops and winning games. The number of overall stops is up significantly.

I guess you think getting more pressure on QBs doesn’t mean shite, either

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How can you say they are better? We are giving up even more yards than last year

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Sooooo many people get wrapped up in total defensive and offensive rankings, which are based solely on yards/game, which is such a simplistic way to judge units. The goal for the offense is not to see how many yards they can rack up and the goal for a defense isn’t to see how few yards they can allow. The goal is to do whatever it takes to win the game. You can give up 700 yards and win or gain 700 yards and lose. Because not all yards are created equal.

That’s what this (relatively) new advanced metric is based on called EPA (Expected Points Added). And they measure it in Expected Points Added Per Play and take things like the score, the time left in the game, where you are on the field, are you at home or away, down and distance, etc…For example, 3 yards on 3rd and 2 is better than 8 yards on 3rd and 10. Because you pick up the 1st down and keep possession of the ball.

Anyway, I’ve known about this stat for a while and that it’s based on the obvious fact that not all yards are created equally like I mentioned earlier, but I’ve heard it more and more lately, so I did a little research to learn a little more of the specifics. And 1 stat stood out to me and almost blew me away. In the last 5 seasons in the NFL, the LOSING team has OUTGAINED the WINNING team 70% of the time. So the team that finishes the game with the most yards and only wins 3 times out of 10.

Now there are a lot of factors that play into that, it’s not like offenses getting a lot of yards is bad. But are they able to turn those yards into points? And conversely, it’s not great for a defense to give up a bunch of yards. But it’s way better than giving up a bunch of points. And our much improved ability to wreak havoc, make explosive plays, and get off the field on 3rd downs this year as compared to last is why our defense is better than it was last year, despite where we rank in yards/game or even yards/play.

But everything has to be put into context. You are focusing on one particular stat. Granted, it’s not a good one for us. But you know, “there’s lies, damned lies, and statistics.” I think a pretty smart cat said that once, and I believe him.

It's not all about numbers. This defense is still giving up big run plays frequently, but they're also causing more turnovers and getting more sacks and TFLs. This defense is better. I guarantee it.

*** pats ThunderTiger on the head ***

You feel better?

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The only numbers better than last year or our 3rd down numbers and "HAVOK".

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Havoc and third down are the most important defensive stats after scoring - and we are substantially better. The defense is clearly better than last year. You are cherry picking stats to prove your narrative. The defense isn’t nearly up to LSU standards, but it’s way better than last year…so far, at least.

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How do you not go off of stats? We fired every defensive coach last year off of stats.

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You should watch the games and not the boxscore.

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Facts don't care about feelings.

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Yep and the fact that you straight up cherry pick your info and paint them as facts shows what an actual POS you really are or you are just a idiot and dont know enough to find and show all the facts.


You are complete MSNBC of sports with those facts