Football analysis and strategy from Chris B. Brown
A Better Box Score: Simple Ways to Improve the Basic Game Recap
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A Better Box Score: Simple Ways to Improve the Basic Game Recap
Box scores are intended to give a snapshot of games, and, for the most part, they work. If I look at the box score for West Virginia’s 70 to 63 victory over Baylor, I have a pretty good inkling of what kind of game it was; similarly if I look at the box score of…
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Manny Diaz Gets It
From an excellent interview Texas’s defensive coordinator did with LonghornDigest.com: But statistics were also changing for in-game analysis. Whereas it might once be considered an advanced metric to look at red zone efficiency, Diaz said Texas is focused on red zone touchdown efficiency. “You can win a national championship by making people kick field goals…
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On whether quarterbacks drafted early in the NFL are better than ones drafted later
From Phil Birnbaum: As you’d expect, the early draft choices got a lot more playing time than the later ones. Even disregarding seasons where they didn’t play at all, and even *games* where they didn’t play at all, the late choices were only involved in 1/4 as many plays as the early choices. Berri and…
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The Packers have allowed more yards than they’ve gained, but what does that mean?
After 15 games, the Green Bay Packers are 14-1. But this season, the Packers have been outgained by their opponents. In fact, the Packers have won more than half of their games while losing the yardage battle. How is that possible? If a team is 14-1, the natural inclination is to assume that they’re an…
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A closer look at the New England Patriots defense
No one suggests that the Patriots defense is good, or even average. For starters, well, look at the starters. Here was New England’s starting lineup this weekend against the Broncos: DE Brandon Deaderick DT Kyle Love DT Vince Wilfork DE Andre Carter OLB Jerod Mayo MLB Dane Fletcher OLB Rob Ninkovich CB Devin McCourty FS…
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Who should be the NFL rookie of the year? Cam Newton vs. Andy Dalton
Cam Newton and Andy Dalton are having outstanding rookie seasons. Newton has been setting records since the beginning of the season, while Dalton has helped make Cincinnati the NFL’s most surprising playoff contender. With the season 11 weeks old, many fans are thinking about who will wind up winning some of the NFL’s main individual…
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Analyzing NFL running games through 10 weeks
NFL teams are passing more frequently and more effectively than ever before. Given enough opportunities, most teams will eventually connect on big plays through the air. But while running backs have taken a backseat in most offenses, a successful rushing attack is still a significant component in most effective offenses. As teams — and by…
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ESPN’s new Total Quarterback Rating
The NFL’s quarterback rating is bizarre and misleading, so it is no surprise that many have tried to invent the better mousetrap. What is a bit surprising is that ESPN has invented its own metric, which it will undoubtedly promote relentlessly. And, in the twist that is maybe what is most surprising of all, it’s…