Few stats I gathered on my own- On D, Miami is 23rd in total yards given, 30th in passing yards, 7th in rushing yards, but 6th in points allowed and PPG Xavien Howard leads the league in interceptions. Kiko is 2nd league-wide in tackles. Our D is 30th in passing yards but 6th in points allowed? That's truly the bend but don't break philosophy in action. Here's the other biggie though- we're still 1st in opposing QB ratings with a 65.6 and 1st in interceptions as well. On offense, Miami is 21st in total offense, 23rd in yards per game, 19th in passing, 16th in rushing, 9th in points, 11th PPG Also, we're 4th in receiving yards, 5th in yards per pass, and 5th in yards per game. Tannehill is 3rd in QBR, 5th in completion percentage, 19th in yards, and tied for 2nd in TD passes. He's also 14th in sacks and in a ten-way tie for 9th-18th place in interceptions w/ 2 total picks. On special teams, we're still 1st in kickoff return yards and 12th in punt returns
It means getting away from the defender. For instance, let's say you're covering me at WR and we're at my team's 20 yard line. The ball snaps, I do a fancy little move and start sprinting down the sideline. If you're right there with me step for step, there's no separation. If I'm a yard or two ahead of you, then it's 1-2 yards of separation. This applies to all routes (slant passes, deep posts, etc) and basically determines how well the receiver was covered throughout the route until the time they catch it. The stat that came up today was that Grant and Wilson are #1 and #2 in the league for getting separation. Since they're among the fastest, most agile players in the league...that's really no surprise. If nobody can keep up with you then you're going to have separation on every play. What analysts look for in the stat is how fast a receiver can create separation...and our guys can do it really freaking fast.
This bend but don't break thing and counting on turnovers won't work for a lot of better offenses and won't get you through the playoffs, not unless you have a superstar QB like Rodgers.
As I've said many times, catching the ball and ability to get separation are the two most important WR skills.
That had to be bailed out over and over again by a bend and not break defense who made big plays to keep the score close.
The Pats have utilized a bend but don't break defense for the past 17 years and have been in the top 10 for 14 of those. *Edit: I see Dupree beat me to it.
Very rarely. The Pats have been dependent on their defense much more often than Brady. Even in the Pats vs Hawks and Pats vs Falcons the defense is what won the game. (That, and stupid play calling from the Seahawks and Falcons)
I recall being told in the off-season that I was wildly over-rating Wilson and Grant when I said that they could be as productive as Hill given sufficient opportunities.
People overlook that he was playing hurt for most of last season. Once he healed up and had the speed/burst to get back into press coverage, his game has really evolved in a fantastic way. I'm curious to see if they put him on Gronk this week since the Pats don't have any other obvious weapons.
I've been on the Grant bandwagon since day one but at the same time, I didn't envision that they'd use him this effectively. He's easily my favorite Dolphin of 2018 by a wide margin.
Anyone who actually watched Wilson playing in KC could see it. Alas most people look at stats-only or go off of whether or not they've ever heard their name before.
If Gordon plays X will most likely be on him. Gronk will get bracketed and Hogan will get single coverage. But hey, I don't know squat!
Yeah I think it's real. I made this comment in Club a week ago but I think officiating has something to do with this, specifically making it harder to hit the QB. League average passer rating, which is now 92.4 after yesterday, is 4 points above the highest it's ever been which was in 2015. Last 4 years passer rating has averaged 85.1-88.4 and suddenly it's 92.4? Even playing only 3 weeks that's a bit high. We'll see how this ends up but I personally don't like it. NFL wants more "excitement" I guess, but I think great defensive performances are exciting too and more of that is getting lost with these changing in rules or their interpretation. In other news Tannehill is up to 5th currently in passer rating. I was hoping Fitzpatrick would finally show his true self and fall way down, but his fall wasn't big enough. He's still 3rd. I'm sure that will change soon: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/passing.htm
Since Week 12 of last season (9 games), #Dolphins CB Xavien Howard has allowed just 13 receptions on 43 targets (32%), 0 touchdowns & picked off 7 passes. Now that is a stat
We could of had both but we wouldn’t have Tunsil, who is turning into a pro bowl left tackle as well.. Either way you couldn’t of gone wrong..