tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10242068.post2166046567869269909..comments2023-10-22T07:07:22.603-05:00Comments on <a href="http://sturminator.blogspot.com/">Bob's Blog - Live from Lewisville</a>: Marinelli Report - Week 6 - Seattle Sturminatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03512218221714280831noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10242068.post-49927978756556858622014-10-15T14:10:43.752-05:002014-10-15T14:10:43.752-05:00Nice article. One point I disagree with, however.
...Nice article. One point I disagree with, however.<br /><br />"Is the Dallas defense playing better because they are playing fewer downs? Yes, it seems. And is that because the offense is killing off the clock or because the defense is getting off the field on 3rd Down and winning on their own? My eyes tell me this team is making more defensive stands and getting off the field, but the evidence is not agreeing with my eyes: Through 6 games last season, the Cowboys 3rd Down offense was surrendered a 1st down 33 out of 78 times for an opponent conversion rate of 42.3%. In 2014, that number is 30 out of 71 for a conversion rate of 42.3%. They are better by the slightest fraction, but effectively, they are exactly the same."<br /><br />The Cowboys are better at getting off the field because they are giving up fewer first downs on 1st and 2nd downs, thus forcing more 3rd downs per drive. Even at the same 3rd down conversion rate, if your opponent faces more 3rd downs, you're more likely to get off the field.<br /><br />Dallas is giving up 0.302 first downs per play, down from 0.355 last year. Since the 3rd down conversions are the same, you have to conclude they are giving up fewer conversions on 1st and second down.<br /><br />The Cowboys are also forcing more punts per opponent offensive score than last year, up to 1.0 versus 0.8 last year.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665222239649696920noreply@blogger.com