San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys - Proof that the little things matter.

[JOEinPHX]

(10-19-2010 11:25 AM)Peyton Wrote:  I think Norv Turner would make a tremendous OC for the Falcons if they can get a deep threat opposite of Roddy.

The Falcons would be set up very similiar to the Cowboys of the 90s, minus the incredible offensive line.

I am not opposed to getting a different OC if that is what Smith and TD think the team needs. I just don't think he is the primary problem with the offense, I think it is more personnel related.

I agree, and the personnel that come to mind for me are mostly offensive linemen. To my mind, the Falcons O-line is greater right now than the sum of its parts, which is a tribute to Paul Boudreau. But they're still a middle-tier unit at best. Upgrade at least two OL positions and bring in a 'gamebreaker' type player in the mold of Desean Jackson, and I think we probably have the offense we're looking for.

[Peyton]

OK, so it only took the press 5 days to figure out what I figured out on Monday, but this information from Stats Inc. puts the whole craziness into perspective.

San Diego, the Greatest Bad Team Ever

The San Diego Chargers are so good this season that it's amazing they're so bad.

As of Week 6, the Chargers lead the NFL in offense, gaining 432.7 yards a game, and in defense, allowing just 255.2 yards a game. And yet the Chargers are 2-4 and tied for last place in the AFC West.

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only eight other teams led the league in both offense and defense during any week of any season. And until the Chargers managed to pull it off this week, no team ever had a losing record while leading the league in offense and defense.

Even if the Chargers won their next 10 games, their 12-4 final record would be subpar by the standards of teams that have led the league in both offense and defense, a list populated by the likes of the 14-0 Dolphins of 1972 and the 16-0 Patriots of 2007.

The biggest reason for the Chargers' losing record? Their kick coverage, which has been disastrous this season. In Week 1, the Chargers outgained the Chiefs by 192 yards but gave up a 94-yard punt-return touchdown on the way to a 21-14 loss. In Week 3, San Diego outgained Seattle by 247 yards but allowed two kickoff-return touchdowns en route to a 27-20 loss.

If the Chargers kept up their current pace for both yardage and winning percentage for the rest of the season, they'll be just the fifth team since the merger to finish No. 1 in both total offense and total defense. And they'd be 5-11.

—Michael David Smith

Top Defense, Top Offense
Here are the 19 weeks since 1970 when an NFL team claimed the top total defense and top total offense.

WEEK(S) RECORD*
1972 Dolphins 11-14 14-0
1973 Rams 11-14 12-2
1974 Cowboys 1 1-0
1977 Cowboys 5,7,8, 14 12-2
1980 Eagles 3 3-0
1982 Jets 5 4-1
1987 49ers 14-15 13-2
2007 Patriots 3 3-0
2010 Chargers 6 2-4

Source: Stats Inc. *record after final week listed

Link

[Jesus]

It appears they actually need LT.

[Peyton]

(10-22-2010 10:33 AM)Jesus Wrote:  It appears they actually need LT.

In the Chargers defense, LT wasn't running for them like he is running for the Jets this year.

Truth be told, if the Chargers had simply played sound fundemental special teams, they would be 5-1 right now.

[Jesus]

(10-22-2010 11:00 AM)Peyton Wrote:  In the Chargers defense, LT wasn't running for them like he is running for the Jets this year.

Truth be told, if the Chargers had simply played sound fundemental special teams, they would be 5-1 right now.

I can agree with that in some regards, but the fact is they didn't run him like they did in the past deciding to become a passing team and taking away their greatest weapon. The thing with both Dallas and San Diego is that neither has a competent running game and it is costing them both.

[RnB]

(10-18-2010 05:39 PM)SLICK NICK Wrote:  I'm glad the Falcons are where they are right now, and not where those two teams are.

You and me both, Nick.

Great find Peyton, and early to boot. You deserve a pat on the back.

The article covered its bases nicely. This season is a deviation from the norm in some respects, I wouldnt classify it as strange though. Its parity in action and I really like it. Undefeated teams, strangleholds on divisions, etc; it is NOT interesting, except for people who are bandwagon jumpers or live in those markets. I hope the trend continues and more parity leads to a more varied national media regarding the NFL.

[Tandy]

(10-22-2010 10:23 AM)Peyton Wrote:  OK, so it only took the press 5 days to figure out what I figured out on Monday, but this information from Stats Inc. puts the whole craziness into perspective.

San Diego, the Greatest Bad Team Ever

The San Diego Chargers are so good this season that it's amazing they're so bad.

As of Week 6, the Chargers lead the NFL in offense, gaining 432.7 yards a game, and in defense, allowing just 255.2 yards a game. And yet the Chargers are 2-4 and tied for last place in the AFC West.

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only eight other teams led the league in both offense and defense during any week of any season. And until the Chargers managed to pull it off this week, no team ever had a losing record while leading the league in offense and defense.

Even if the Chargers won their next 10 games, their 12-4 final record would be subpar by the standards of teams that have led the league in both offense and defense, a list populated by the likes of the 14-0 Dolphins of 1972 and the 16-0 Patriots of 2007.

The biggest reason for the Chargers' losing record? Their kick coverage, which has been disastrous this season. In Week 1, the Chargers outgained the Chiefs by 192 yards but gave up a 94-yard punt-return touchdown on the way to a 21-14 loss. In Week 3, San Diego outgained Seattle by 247 yards but allowed two kickoff-return touchdowns en route to a 27-20 loss.

If the Chargers kept up their current pace for both yardage and winning percentage for the rest of the season, they'll be just the fifth team since the merger to finish No. 1 in both total offense and total defense. And they'd be 5-11.

—Michael David Smith

Top Defense, Top Offense
Here are the 19 weeks since 1970 when an NFL team claimed the top total defense and top total offense.

WEEK(S) RECORD*
1972 Dolphins 11-14 14-0
1973 Rams 11-14 12-2
1974 Cowboys 1 1-0
1977 Cowboys 5,7,8, 14 12-2
1980 Eagles 3 3-0
1982 Jets 5 4-1
1987 49ers 14-15 13-2
2007 Patriots 3 3-0
2010 Chargers 6 2-4

Source: Stats Inc. *record after final week listed

Link

They probably took it from here.

[Peyton]

(10-22-2010 01:09 PM)Tandy Wrote:  They probably took it from here.

With football being such a statistical sport and the teams taking pride in top 5 offenses and defenses, I am kind of surprised that it hasn't gotten more play.

I don't look for the Chargers record to get any better this week, although I would imagine they will not have the number 1 defense after the Patriots leave town.

Then again, when you consider the special teams play of both of these teams, the Pats might not need very much offense to blow the Chargers out.