You're forgetting the psychological and physical impact of a 300 pound monster driving into your ribs. And while you hand-waved away the loss of yards, the loss of yards makes it easier to force a punt. 2-17 and 2-10 are two very different animals.
So no. A throwaway is not tantamount to sack.
I just enjoyed your line of "I'm stretching here, but yeah, I'm right."