Forget Yards, Lets Talk Points

by DaWumpus on Dec 12, 2009 11:21 PM EST

The bottom line in football is points. You have to have more points than the other guy to win any game (sounds like something Rex Grossman would say in a post-game interview). Forget offensive yards whether they are rushing or passing yards. Forget yards allowed. Forget punt and kick-off return yards. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is points scored and points allowed, no matter who it is scoring them. The scoreboard doesn’t lie or deceive us. It only tells us cold hard facts. Who has the best Points Scored to Points Allowed difference?

     I hate to admit it, but it is the New Orleans Saints with an overall difference of 189 points. They are followed by the Indianapolis Colts with an overall difference of 130 points. That makes a fifty-nine point difference between the top two teams in the NFL right now. Is it a coincidence that the only two undefeated teams in the league right now are the best in this category? Probably not, this statistic looks at a team in its whole rather than just at one side of the ball (like passing yards, rushing yards, and yards allowed). These teams have successful game plans and a solid three phase football team.
      I would like to add, however, that the Saints have allowed more points than any of the top thirteen teams but are also the number one in points for. The Colts are second in points allowed and are fourth in points for. Actually, the Colts are the only team in the top five for both points for and points allowed. The only thing that isn’t apparent is the strength of each teams schedule. Who cares if you score 1600 points a season against the 13 (because you play three teams twice) worst teams in the league? I wouldn’t be impressed. So far I believe the colts have had the seventh toughest schedule and the Saints have had the twenty-fourth hardest schedule.
      Bottom line, don’t be fooled by blow-out games and perfect records. I hear a lot of “This team rushes for a million yards” or “This team passes for more touchdowns than any other team.” When you judge a football team remember that yards don’t count, points do.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

Can't argue with that...

That’s a TD and a PAT…you’re up 7 to zip so far!

Pressure is somethig you feel when you don't know what you're doing!
-Chuck Knoll, as quoted by Peyton Manning

by thefrozz on Dec 13, 2009 8:41 AM EST reply actions

Points scored and allowed doesn't tell the whole story though.

It may tell you who won, but it says nothing about how and why that team won. That’s where other stats come in. It’s never good to just focus on one stat and one stat alone, because no stat is ever perfect.

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

by Cassieper on Dec 13, 2009 9:08 AM EST reply actions

That may be true but I just feel like other stats kind of lie. I mean, there have been times when Peyton has thrown for over 300 yards but only one touchdown.

by DaWumpus on Dec 13, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Points can "lie" as well

Yes, the Saints have a potent O, no one questions that. But deduct 56 (I think) pts form their total to account for defensive INT and fumble returns. Suddenly, their O looks about equal to the Colts.

Now deduct 16 possessions from NO because they Saints have had (going into this weekend) that many more offensive possessions. That might eliminate 4 more TDs and a whole LOT of stats for Brees.

When comparing apples to apples, despite their superior run game and Brees’s “superior” stats, the Saints O is not necessarily any better than the Colts, and maybe inferior, if you can believe it. (less efficient at converting opportunities to TDs, that is)

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Dec 14, 2009 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

Nicely stated Bobman.

Said it better than I could.

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Finals suck.

by Cassieper on Dec 17, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

Winning is the only thing that matters.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.

by Indy Lori on Dec 13, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions