Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
Could that be because teams that build a league run the ball more often in the second half to kill the clock?
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That really doesn't help yardage totals as much as it results in rushing attempts. Generally a team has got its yards before it built up a lead and made the other team one dimensional.
Overall the gaudy passing numbers appear to be down this year. Brady's 4577 lead the league, and 8 players threw for more than 4000 yards. Only 3 guys topped 30 TD passes. Whereas there were seasons where 3 guys threw for 5000 yards and 4 guys topping 40 TD passes. The top passers in Brady, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Brees are all getting to be 35 plus. They can't routinely be throwing 50 times a game anymore. I expect Green Bay will be looking to get Rogers a more supportive run game given his age and how awful they are without him
Every playoff team this year is pretty balanced on offence. New England had an effective 3 back rotation otherwise Lewis would have been a 1000 yard back. Pittsburgh, KC, Jacksonville also rode 1000 yard bell cow backs to Division titles. The Vikings had a good run game all year regardless who the backs were. Gurley was a MVP candidate for the Rams. The three NFC South teams also can run the ball quite well as they all feature two good options at RB. Both Buffalo and Tennessee also run effectively. Really the only winning teams who were pass heavy were Detroit and Seattle.
In recent years teams have loaded up with speed rushers who can fly off the edge to put pressure on QB's. These guys aren't a's big as the traditional 4-3 D End so to counter this teams will run at these guys. Anything to keep the Von Miller's from laying lucks on QB's should help you win. Plus as Tranny says safetys come into the box and this opens up 1 on 1 coverage on the outside.