Wait... Best pass defense?

[Ravens4Real]

I think some of this has to do with Flacco being injured. The difference between (for example) 4th and 10th can be as little as 25 yards per game. Running the ball more means fewer plays for either side, and even 4 fewer plays can affect total yardage. Then of course the argument that other teams probably felt less compelled to take chances.

Upon looking at the numbers from the last 7 weeks of the season:

The Rams offense is a complete joke. Only threw 26 times.

McCown and the Browns did decent against us. Threw 38 times.

Dolphins only threw the ball 19 times.

The Seahawks and Wilson absolutely TORCHED us. He threw 32 times.

Chiefs threw the ball 25 times.

Steelers threw the ball 34 times.

Bengals 27 times.

So in total, teams threw the ball, against our secondary a total of 201 times which comes out to around 28 times a game.

I don't know the sure numbers of what the league average of how many times each team throws a game, but I'm going to guess that 28 is low below the average.

Edited January 15, 2016 by Ravens4Real

[PurpleCity5]

Upon looking at the numbers from the last 7 weeks of the season:

The Rams offense is a complete joke. Only threw 26 times.

McCown and the Browns did decent against us. Threw 38 times.

Dolphins only three the ball 19 times.

The Seahawks and Wilson absolutely TORCHED us. He threw 32 times.

Chiefs threw the ball 25 times.

Steelers threw the ball 34 times.

Bengals 27 times.

So in total, teams threw the ball, against our secondary a total of 201 times which comes out to around 28 times a game.

I don't know the sure numbers of what the league average of how many times each team throws a game, but I'm going to guess that 28 is low below the average.

After listening to Preston, it does have me thinking the same. Yeah, I def. give props where props are due but I have to be honest here, outside of Pittsburgh the level of competition quiet honestly was not great. I mean you got Cleveland who kinda lit them up, nearly 300Yards and 2TDs, then you got Miami, which a good performance but they boast an average offense, and then they played Seattle who completely toasted them, then you got Kansas City, a passing offense ranked 30th in the league, then you got the Steelers game, absolutely a masterful job there, and Cincinnati whose passing game looked horrid against an awful Steelers secondary on Wildcard Saturday. I'm not trying to take anything away from Pees and the Defense, they did a great job honestly, but at the same time, you got to look at the influences and take that into account. 

[Overseas Ravens lover]

This thread is based on the completely wrong assumption that YPG measures passing defensive performance. Factors such as opponent offenses performance, number of plays ran, opponents running more could all explain the difference.

 

If you check DVOA rating which controls for opponent strength and measure the performance the whole defence not just passing:

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

 

Ravens is 20th the full season, and 18th when more recent games are considered ( see weighted DVOA ). There is no dramatic turn around.

 

Even if you don't like DVOA, passing yards allowed is still a meaningless stat. If the opponents chose to run more due to early leads, or Pees sell out to stop the pass, you will get lower passing yards numbers. Any stats that doesn't factor in run-pass strategies are pointless. My guess is that the less yards allowed in the second half is mostly due to less passing plays.

 

Best lies are made of stats, you can easily fool yourselves if not careful. That's why stats are for losers.

Edited January 15, 2016 by Overseas Ravens lover

[TSizzle00]

The Chiefs are 18th in passing yards per games and 24th in points per game. Their offense not that respectable. The Jags are always very inconsistent. Also, the Rams have a horrible passing game (32nd in the league in pass yards per game) and the Dolphins love underperforming (22nd in passing yards per game).

 

The only consistently top tier passing attacks the Ravens faced were the Seahawks and the Steelers. They did good against one and gave up five passing touchdowns against the other.

 

Considering the Ravens made no name WRs looked like Moss, you could argue that even a low ranked passing offense should of still been able to exploit the Ravens if they had not improved at least a little bit.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

ugh.. while i like seeing our guys do better, and it gives hope that maybe were a bit more talented than we thought, i dont like that pees is making an argument for himself.. 

Well, if it's Pees that got them to improve and play that well - why be against it? If it means they'll come back and play like that... even better since we'll have our guys back healthy... then what's not to like?

 

I've questioned Pees and been very critical at times. I've even wanted him out. 

But I also cant ignore, that when he's had consistency in personnel and some talent, he's got this defense to perform very well. The beginning of this year we were terrible and i wanted his head - but guys were injured every week and personnel was being shuffled in and out.

 

Once they settled on guys and started playing the same guys week in and out, many players over achieved and the defense as a whole definitely did. Not liking that to me seems to just be a stubborn-ness in wanting Pees gone.

[52520Andrew]

Only part of this turnaround I am sold on is Jimmy. I'd love to see this carry over into next season but I have my doubts.

[JoeyFlex5]

Well, if it's Pees that got them to improve and play that well - why be against it? If it means they'll come back and play like that... even better since we'll have our guys back healthy... then what's not to like?

I've questioned Pees and been very critical at times. I've even wanted him out.

But I also cant ignore, that when he's had consistency in personnel and some talent, he's got this defense to perform very well. The beginning of this year we were terrible and i wanted his head - but guys were injured every week and personnel was being shuffled in and out.

Once they settled on guys and started playing the same guys week in and out, many players over achieved and the defense as a whole definitely did. Not liking that to me seems to just be a stubborn-ness in wanting Pees gone.

I actually adamantly defended pees till this season, but seeing so much of the same thing over and over that has followed him everywhere he goes (late game collapses) has me convinced that his system just doesn't work consistently enough

[JoeyFlex5]

This could very well be an attributing factor. What's the point of teams pushing it down the field and risking something dumb when they know our offense is only going to put up 10 points?

Some teams may have just ran the ball more than usual.

but if the ravens had fielded one of the most porous pass defenses with no pass rush, while simultaneously fielding and elite run defense... Then why would anyone in their right mind try to force the run Game..