Very interesting defensive stats

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

 

How do you prioritize when your defense, offense and special teams are 3-7? You have a 3-7 coach, a 3-7 QB, a 3-7 GM, and a 3-7 popcorn vendor. Where do you start?

 

Popcorn vendor is 2-3.

[dave mcbride]

These numbers are through Week 10:

 

 

RUSHING DEFENSE:

 

The Bills have allowed a total of 1,173 yards on the ground (Ranked 30th in the NFL). Of course, this sounds terrible as usual. However... They have also faced the 2nd most rushes in the NFL (only 1 rush behind Jacksonville).

If you go by Yards Per Rush, the Bills have allowed only 4.0 YPA = Ranked 13th in the NFL. Not too bad after all.

 

 

PASSING DEFENSE:

 

The Bills have allowed a total of 2,386 yards in the air (Ranked 25th in the NFL). Broken down by Yards Per Attempt, those numbers improve yet again -- to 7.1 YPA (Ranked 15th in the NFL).

I think it's also important to point out the injury factor. The Bills played without Stephon Gilmore and Jairus Byrd (both were out Weeks 1-5) and Leodis McKelvin (out most of Week 3 and all of Week 4).

Since all four starters have been in the lineup (beginning with Week 6 against Cincinnati), the Bills have only allowed 6.3 YPA. If applied to the entire season, that would be good enough to Rank 5th in the entire NFL.

 

 

TURNOVERS/SACKS:

 

The Bills are ranked 2nd in the NFL in sacks with 33.

They are tied for 12th in the NFL with 16 turnovers (13 interceptions and 3 fumbles).

Those 13 interceptions ties them with Denver, Seattle and Carolina for the league lead.

 

 

POINTS ALLOWED:

 

The Bills have allowed 259 points (Ranked 29th in the NFL).

If you break that down per game, they have allowed 25.9 points (Ranked 24th in the NFL).

At first glance, this looks pretty bad. But if you look closer, you will see that:

> Buffalo's offense has given away 3 defensive touchdowns (2 against KC and 1 against Cleveland). Special teams has allowed 1 touchdown as well (Cleveland). If you take these points away, the Bills have allowed 23.1 per game - ranking them around 14th in the NFL.

> There have been 7 times where the opponent has gotten the ball inside Buffalo's 35 yard line (either off an offensive turnover or punt/kick return) and the defense has held them to a field goal. If you take these points away, the defense is averaging only 21.0 points allowed - ranking them around 8th in the NFL.

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

- Despite the team's 3-7 record, the defense has improved immensely under Mike Pettine's leadership. Their aggressive nature has them racking up lots of sacks and forcing lots of interceptions.

- The poor statistical rankings are heavily influenced by the poor play on offense.

- Injuries in the secondary were significant. Since the starters have returned, the defensive backfield has played excellent.

Aren't they also leading the league in defensive penalties that lead to first downs? That doesn't show up in the numbers, but it's important. All of those defensive holding calls add up and keep the defense on the field.

 

Also, every other team has given up turnover TDs and/or special teams TDs. It's unfair to subtract those numbers from the Bills defense but not subtract from the others.

Edited November 14, 2013 by dave mcbride

[Dibs]

These numbers are through Week 10:

.....

TURNOVERS/SACKS:

 

The Bills are ranked 2nd in the NFL in sacks with 33.

They are tied for 12th in the NFL with 16 turnovers (13 interceptions and 3 fumbles).

Those 13 interceptions ties them with Denver, Seattle and Carolina for the league lead.

.....

 

As you looked at several stats based upon per play, I feel it only fair to do the same here.

If one is going to use YPA instead of Total Yards, one should really use Sack and Turnover percent instead of Total Sacks/Turnovers.

 

The Bills are currently 9th in sack percent. Though still good, it is not as impressive as the overall sack number ranking of 2nd.

I can't find the turnover percentage stat but that too would be lower than the total turnover stat.