dbair1967
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Of the 12 teams who punted the ball the FEWEST times in the league, only three (NYG, Dallas and Philly) failed to make the playoffs. The 9 who did were (in order, fewest) New England, Atlanta, Seattle, San Fran, Denver, Washington, GB, Minnesota & Indy. The Giants had the fewest punts in the league this year.
On the other hand, the teams that FORCED the most punts (12 of them) fared this way:
Only 4 (Denver, Houston, Baltimore & Cinci) made the playoffs. The 8 who didnt were Arizona, NYJ, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Miami, Detroit & San Diego. Denver led the league in punts forced.
In terms of turnovers, 3 of the 6 in the NFC who forced the most turnovers made the playoffs (Washington, Atlanta & seattle. The 3 who didnt were Chicago, NYG an Arizona. In the AFC 4 of the top 6 in turnovers forced made the playoffs (New England, Cinci, Houston and Baltimore). The two who did not were Cleveland and San Diego.
In terms of give aways, 5 of the top 6 in the NFC who turned it over the LEAST made the playoffs (Washington, San Fran, Green Bay, Atlanta & Seattle). The only one who didnt was NYG.
In the AFC The top 5 all made the playoffs (New England, Baltimore, Hosuton, Denver and Cinci) Cinci was tied with several teams. Indy just missed.
So what does this say? Obviously protecting the football is absolutely huge, as 5 of the 6 playoff teams in each conference gave it away the fewest times.
The main reason I posted this was for those who claimed there was no difference between forcing a "punt" or getting a "turnover". 8 of the 12 teams who forced the MOST punts failed to make the playoffs. There was much more of a correlation to punting it the FEWEST times though, as 9 of the 12 made the postseason, (2 others in the top-12 narrowly missed) On the other hand, 7 of the top 12 in FORCING turnovers made the postseason.
On the other hand, the teams that FORCED the most punts (12 of them) fared this way:
Only 4 (Denver, Houston, Baltimore & Cinci) made the playoffs. The 8 who didnt were Arizona, NYJ, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Miami, Detroit & San Diego. Denver led the league in punts forced.
In terms of turnovers, 3 of the 6 in the NFC who forced the most turnovers made the playoffs (Washington, Atlanta & seattle. The 3 who didnt were Chicago, NYG an Arizona. In the AFC 4 of the top 6 in turnovers forced made the playoffs (New England, Cinci, Houston and Baltimore). The two who did not were Cleveland and San Diego.
In terms of give aways, 5 of the top 6 in the NFC who turned it over the LEAST made the playoffs (Washington, San Fran, Green Bay, Atlanta & Seattle). The only one who didnt was NYG.
In the AFC The top 5 all made the playoffs (New England, Baltimore, Hosuton, Denver and Cinci) Cinci was tied with several teams. Indy just missed.
So what does this say? Obviously protecting the football is absolutely huge, as 5 of the 6 playoff teams in each conference gave it away the fewest times.
The main reason I posted this was for those who claimed there was no difference between forcing a "punt" or getting a "turnover". 8 of the 12 teams who forced the MOST punts failed to make the playoffs. There was much more of a correlation to punting it the FEWEST times though, as 9 of the 12 made the postseason, (2 others in the top-12 narrowly missed) On the other hand, 7 of the top 12 in FORCING turnovers made the postseason.