Bob Sutton has gifted us with the best third-down defense in football

[Hammock Parties]

Now he just has to figure out first and second down.

[O.city]

Winners

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Now he just has to figure out first and second down.

That's because either:

they don't need a third down (as you said, they get a first down from first or second down)

OR

we hold on third down but then they easily convert the resulting 4th and 1
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[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by loochy

That's because either:

they don't need a third down (as you said, they get a first down from first or second down)

OR

we hold on third down but then they easily convert the resulting 4th and 1
Posted via Mobile Device

So since I'm still trying to squint to find silver linings here, I'll take a stab at this.

Right now the average number of 3rd downs for a team is roughly 38. So we have 7 fewer than average over 3 games. So roughly twice/gm that we're giving 'early' 1st downs.

That's really not as bad as I'd have thought. And given our struggles on 1st and 2nd down, doesn't that kinda suggest that the 3rd downs would be largely makeable down and distance situations? Yet on 3rd we're still largely doing damn well.

I still think the defense is struggling as a result of focalized breakdowns leading to big plays. On drives when everyone just does their ****ing job, we don't tend to get housed. Average NFL team has forced 14 punts by now; the Chiefs have forced 12.

It's the big plays and catastrophic coverage breakdowns that kill us (as well as some bombshell second half defense that surrenders easy short yards). I think there are still some areas here that show improvement can be expected and really, the 3rd down percentage is impressive and not to just be dismissed, IMO.

[RINGLEADER]

I think once the middle of the field stops being an open buffet after Berry returns we’ll be in better shape. Until then I will remain a fan and curse this insipid defense and it’s poor tackling.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

I think once the middle of the field stops being an open buffet after Berry returns we’ll be in better shape. Until then I will remain a fan and curse this insipid defense and it’s poor tackling.

Yeah, I keep forgetting to give the shit tackling its due credit.

I've gotten so focused on the poor zone coverage that I routinely forget to point out that the first guy ALWAYS misses.

I still think this shit is coachable. But if you're waiting on Berry, I really wouldn't. A blown achilles and now a perpetually sore heel? C'mon - this dude is damaged goods.

Hopefully is a disease that's benign enough to be cured by Daniel Sorenson and some continuity. Because if not, the patient's dying on the table...

[CupidStunt]

5/5 on 4th down

282 penalty yards

211 plays is the REAL big concern. They're bad enough without being gassed. But other than getting better there's no fix for it. Offense shouldn't slow down one bit.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by CupidStunt

5/5 on 4th down

282 penalty yards

211 plays is the REAL big concern. They're bad enough without being gassed. But other than getting better there's no fix for it. Offense shouldn't slow down one bit.

It appears that the secret to stopping third downs is to wear the offense out by letting them have long drives.

[Beef Supreme]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It appears that the secret to stopping third downs is to wear the offense out by letting them have long drives.

The rope-a-dope theory.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It appears that the secret to stopping third downs is to wear the offense out by letting them have long drives.

well played sir!

[Danguardace]

Originally Posted by CupidStunt

5/5 on 4th down

282 penalty yards

211 plays is the REAL big concern. They're bad enough without being gassed. But other than getting better there's no fix for it. Offense shouldn't slow down one bit.

A five minute Field Goal drive to start the third would have made a huge difference, at some point the Offense needs to learn ball control imo.

[BlackOp]

Teams are 5-5 on fourth down....

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Teams are 5-5 on fourth down....

and they can’t stop 2pt conversions.

[Eleazar]

I picture the down markers at arrowhead, by the end of the season, having the "1" and "2" completely bleached out by the sun while the number "3" and "4" look brand new.

[Molitoth]

This is why stat mongers that don't actually watch games are typically idiots.
=)