#1 Defense: Reality or Fluke

Big Texas · #1 11-07-2011, 04:24 PM

After listening to the radio this morning. I was intrigued by a comment one fan made about the Texans #1 defensive ranking.

Some would say that it is all "smoke and mirrors". This caller acknowledged that the defense was much improved and praised Wade Phillips' work, but felt that the #1 ranking was not an indication of the Texans having an elite defense.

Me personally I feel as though the defense has played outstanding and this #1 ranking is an indication of an excellent defense. Do we have wholes? Yes...but are those wholes being exposed often, like they were last year...NO.

So what do you think?

Great Defense: Reality or Fluke

cadams · #2 11-07-2011, 04:42 PM

i think it would be better to say a top 5 defense. the #1 ranking is in yards per game, they are 3rd in points allowed, which i think is probably the better indicator. i also think the fact that the offense has been controling the clock this year helps with the defensive stats, giving the opposing teams less time to move the ball.

the opponents they have played clearly factor in, but every team has bad offenses on their schedule.

Arky · #3 11-07-2011, 05:25 PM

Using the word "ranking" is a bit of a misnomer but it's something everyone does, myself included. Statistically the Texan defense is #1 in least amount of yards given up/game. That is a single "stat". There's a difference between being "ranked" #1 and being #1 in a stats category. "Ranking" to me conjures up an outside group - ESPN, USA today, Coaches poll, even Football Outsiders and their calculated metrics or perhaps even a single persons opinion...

The yards/game stat has long been the unofficial way to compare one defense against the rest of the league.... Not saying it's right, just saying it is the way it has always been done....

To get a full picture of a defense, you need to look at all the defensive stats: yds/game, pts/game, yds/rush, yds/pass, 3rd downs, redzone percentage, takeaways (fumbles/INT's), etc....

HPF Bob · #4 11-07-2011, 05:26 PM

Other than the Saints, have they played a good offense all season? They played Pittsburgh when their OL was banged up and, other than that, I don't think they've faced an offense that was even NFL average.

So, yes, I'm calling fluke. Not fluke as in "no better than last season" but fluke in that the rankings more reflect how terrible the offenses they've faced have been as much as how much they've improved. Check back with me after they play the Falcons.

Plus, teams with good running games can keep their defense off the field which then inflates their defensive rankings.

WMH · #5 11-07-2011, 07:32 PM

I would say somewhere in between. While some of the O's we have faced are at the bottom of the barrel, you can't forget we have also faced the Saints, Steelers, and even the Raiders are in the top 10 offenses. With the exception of the 4th quarters against New Orleans and BMore, I would say the D has played bordering on outstanding.

Paul K wrote about it today in his blog:

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth

"On Twitter, some have already pointed out that the Texans have played a lot of bad offenses. My traditional response to “but look at who they played” complaints is that a team can’t control its schedule and can only play who’s in front of it.

The Texans have played the three worst offenses in the league -- Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Cleveland. But they’ve also played three top 10 offenses -- New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Oakland. Yeah, they lost two of those three, but their defensive stats from those games are part of their ranking, just like the good games against the bad teams. "

Do I think we will finish at the top? Probably not, but to be honest, I don't really care either. As long as we continue to play soundly, while piling up W's, we make it to the dance and see what happens. I don't think anyone can discount the improvement of the D from last year to this. Elite is built over the long term. If we string together a couple of years of top "end" performances over the course of the year, then you can have the #1 statement. To have it over the course of 9 games is a little premature.

barrett · #6 11-07-2011, 07:54 PM

Kuharsjy on espn had stats we had faced 3 offenses in the top 3rd, 3 in the bottom 3rd, and two in the middle.

So on one level our defense is legit. But bob is dead on in that our offense and running game and TOP inflate our stats. Plus in today's NFL there are not really shut down defenses because of the rules and passing. Offense and enough defense wins championships these days.

nunusguy · #7 11-08-2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrett

Kuharsjy on espn had stats we had faced 3 offenses in the top 3rd, 3 in the bottom 3rd, and two in the middle.

As Barrett points out here, this is a purely statistical ranking. But that should be worth soemthing ?
For me the big thing about the defense is the incredible job Phillips did implementing his system with only a few weeks of an offseason to do it.
And he brought in his assistants, and he probably had the most input as to who the Texans would draft this year and sign in FA. I'm telling you,
the guys a miracle worker.

chuck · #8 11-08-2011, 10:00 AM

The thing that excites me is that barring further injuries the defense should improve noticeably between now and the end of the year. It's relying on a lot of young guys and guys new to their positions, and it's obviously a new system for everyone. The more they play together the better they'll get.

kravix · #9 11-08-2011, 10:47 AM

It is not a fluke. Are they the best defense in the league? Probaly not, are they currently playing like one of the best defenses in the league? Yes!

Yes we have played bad offenses, but we have played good ones and mediocre ones as well. It balances out in the end, as it does with every team in the league.

And the TOP argument has some merit, but what I havent seen pointed out is that the Def generating turnovers and getting off the field on third downs puts the Off back on the field to generate TOP. Without those stops the Off has less opportuninties and less TOP. Circle of life.

barrett · #10 11-08-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kravix

It is not a fluke. Are they the best defense in the league? Probaly not, are they currently playing like one of the best defenses in the league? Yes!

Yes we have played bad offenses, but we have played good ones and mediocre ones as well. It balances out in the end, as it does with every team in the league.

And the TOP argument has some merit, but what I havent seen pointed out is that the Def generating turnovers and getting off the field on third downs puts the Off back on the field to generate TOP. Without those stops the Off has less opportuninties and less TOP. Circle of life.

Exactly. This is called a good football team. Offense makes the defense better and defense makes the offense better. You design one to take advantage of what the other does well. Beautiful.

WMH · #11 11-08-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrett

Exactly. This is called a good football team. Offense makes the defense better and defense makes the offense better. You design one to take advantage of what the other does well. Beautiful.

This X2.

Love it, just need to keep it up. Rankings be damned, I think we have a good enough mixture of vets with experience + up and coming rooks to help keep them focused and deal with success. Gonna be a great ride.