Explain a stat to me?

[Omegasupreme]

Why did Dallas have the fewest 3rd downs? I don't get this:

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/3rd-down-efficiency/2013/

 

[Iamtdg]

It means we lost TOP in almost every game.

 

[dbair1967]

Part of it is TOP like Iam said, but we ranked in the middle of the pack in first downs. So that says we probably get a lot of first downs on first and second downs. Our 3rd down conv % was also low.

 

[Omegasupreme]

Thanks. I was looking for a frequency for 3rd and long. Just seemed like instead of building possessions toward a manageable 3rd and short, there was this pattern of throwing on first, optional running on second if incomplete on first and then calling unabashed pass plays that put Romo in crosshairs on third. But found such few 3rd downs, didn't make sense

 

[Hoofbite]

Fewest total plays ran.

 

[Doomsday]

Just seemed like instead of building possessions toward a manageable 3rd and short, there was this pattern of throwing on first, optional running on second if incomplete on first and then calling unabashed pass plays that put Romo in crosshairs on third.

This is exactly what went on and is Redball's pattern no matter who is actually calling the plays.

Over a 3 game span last season I had a little cheat sheet where I would put a checkmark for every time we actually ran the ball on first and ten. I gave up in the middle of the third such game, having entered no checkmarks.

Other teams do this same thing, Redball dumbass. You don't bother scouting your own tendencies either offensively or defensively. Either you're not scouting your own tendencies or, you're ignoring what your own scouts tell you. This is why your third down conversion rate was so abysmal.

 

[Doomsday]

Another really bad tendency - when you line Romo up under center you ALWAYS run the ball! No play-action pass from under center, at all. Think other teams haven't noted this too?

It's why you can't pick up a fucking yard or two when you really need it.

 

[Iamtdg]

Another really bad tendency - when you line Romo up under center you ALWAYS run the ball! No play-action pass from under center, at all. Think other teams haven't noted this too?

It's why you can't pick up a fucking yard or two when you really need it.

Yeah, we were close to last in the league in play action last year.

 

[Doomsday]

Yeah, we were close to last in the league in play action last year.

And it really doesn't matter how good your line is, or how many first round picks you populate it with - when you are THIS predictable the defense is going to stuff you on short yardage every time. It's been a problem for several years, even pre-dating Redball.