Mike & Mike on remaining defenses

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Mike & Mike on remaining defenses

Here's a stat I heard while listening to Colin Cowherd a bit ago. It has to do with 'explosive plays' (plays greater than 20 yards). I wanted to write the stats down because it was so good, but was driving so I couldn't.

All the teams remaining in the playoffs have a winning record, when they have more than 2 explosive plays per game. But the more shocking fact was this....

When you look at net explosive plays made during the year (number made on offense, minus number given up by team's defense). The Steelers are +37 The next closest team, I think, is the Patriots and they're only +1. Cowherd went on to say the Pats* have made 65 on offense, but given 64 up on defense. Didn't give the breakdown of the Steelers though. I think he also said only 1 other team is in the plus category, the remaining playoff teams were negative.

This to me is why sometimes we see the 5-10 yard cushion on the receivers when we're on defense. The defense would rather give up short plays, than the long bombs. Doesn't always work out though.

If anyone else heard this and I got something wrong please let me know. I know that stats on the Steelers are correct, but not sure on the other teams.

He said the Steelers had 77 explosive plays ( over 20 yards ) and only gave up 40.

Well if they gave up 40 then 39 were by pass because there was only one run over 20 yards this whole season. The next closest on that list were the Rats with somewhere near 18.

[pick6]

Re: Mike & Mike on remaining defenses

This to me is why sometimes we see the 5-10 yard cushion on the receivers when we're on defense. The defense would rather give up short plays, than the long bombs. Doesn't always work out though.

Against the Rats I am OK with the play to contain the passing game. They have a good to great receiving corps IMO.

Against the Cheats, I would play tight and see if they can beat us with the verticle game. I don't think they can.

You are 100 percent correct. They have flourished without Moss, but on paper this should be a death sentence against us. I would play them tight and jump routes. Only thing is that I would change up whose route we were jumping. Everyone is so scared of the pats that Brady is reading and throwing. After the snap he doesn't even have to think. He would have to attack the short stuff and make him adjust and second guess himself.

[pick6]

Re: Mike & Mike on remaining defenses

"We would have to attack the.....