The sports world is obsessed with stats.
Everywhere you look, it’s numbers, numbers, numbers followed by more numbers. Part of that, a lot of that, is due to fantasy sports. It’s not so much about whether a guy or team are any good, it’s about the stats they put up.
The problem with that is the numbers and stats people choose to focus on don’t mean anything. Most are just empty stats, like quarterback rating.
Another case in point: When you look at the stats and rankings for NFL defenses, they’re based on yardage.
So when you look at the stats, one could say the Denver Broncos had one of the better defenses in the league since they ranked third in overall defense with 305.2 yards allowed per game. Not bad. The Broncos were second against the run (79.8) and ninth against the pass (225.4).
Again, by those numbers Denver had one of the best defenses in the NFL. Let’s throw a parade for John Fox and Jack Del Rio.
But when you look at the numbers a little closer, the Broncos weren’t all that good. In fact, they were average. As the results on the field indicate.
For the statistic that matters in football, Denver tied with the St. Louis Rams for 16th in the NFL in scoring at 22.1 points per game.
If the Broncos want to make a deep push in the playoffs and win their third Super Bowl in franchise history, that number has to improve.
“There are a lot of things that we need to clean up,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said after practice on Tuesday. “One of the things and one of our goals this year, the team last year certainly played well overall yardage-wise, but I think (16th) in scoring defense. It’s really imperative that we improve that area, especially in the red zone. We didn’t do great at the end (of Tuesday’s practice) there. They scored all three times, but this is the first day for us.”
The good news for Denver is it has the right guy and scheme to improve the stat that matters most in football. Yes, the other stats will remain where they are. The key point of emphasis, in terms of stats, is points.
By now fans know Phillips will amp up the pressure and give the players the freedom to do what they do best. In return, the defense needs to keep opposing offenses out of the endzone. This system should do that.
“I think the main thing is the change in schemes,” defensive tackle Sylvester Williams said. Instead of two gapping, we’re only playing one gap defense. It’s just all about getting upfield and making plays in your gap. If you could help in another gap, great, but if not, maintaining your own gap is the main thing here. I would say (he is more comfortable in this new scheme). It has kind of helped me a lot.”
This organization is known for defense and one of the greatest defenses in history (even if the rest of the country still refuses to acknowledge that fact). The Orange Crush stacks up against any of the great units to play in the NFL.
The most recent defense for people to put in that discussion is the Seattle Seahawks. Last season, that unit allowed 254 points for 15.9 per game. The season before that it allowed 231 points for 14.4. The Kansas City Chiefs were second last season at 17.6.
For historical context, the 1985 Chicago Bears allowed 12.4 per game. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens 10.3. The 2002 Tampa Buccaneers 9.4.
The 1977 Broncos gave up 6.6.
The 1978 Broncos allowed 6.
The current Denver defense doesn’t need those historical numbers. If it does, we will see one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.
Instead, the Broncos need to get that number under 20 points per game – ideally between 17 and 19.
If this defense can do that, on top of everything else it already does, it’s the first step to a memorable season.
“I guess the sky is the limit, but all 32 teams could say that right now,” Von Miller said. “It’s the beginning, but we really feel that in our heart, we’re going to come out here, try to put it on the field and just try to get as much as we can.”
As is the case with football, it’s all about points. It’s the only statistic that matters.
