GNB-ARI : Mind-Boggling Statistic

[snoscythe]

Looking over the Green Bay-Arizona box score from yesterday, a statistic jumped off the page at me that just blew me away. I actually went to another site to make sure it wasn't some rogue typo at ESPN.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=300110022

Arizona converted 60% of their third-down conversions. That is great, but not mind-blowing. The raw numbers are where the surprise is: Arizona only faced FIVE third-downs the entire game: an NFL playoff game. By way of comparison, Green Bay had 11, New England had 12, Baltimore had 16, New York had 12, Cincinnati had 14, Philadelphia had 11, and Dallas had 16.

After all of that, Arizona only faced FIVE third-downs the whole game--less than half of anyone else playing this weekend. That is about as explosive of an offense as you can field.

Just thought I'd point it out.

[SpiffCoug]

Passer ratings were through the roof as well. If you convert them to college ratings (NFL computes differently). Rogers was 177.73 and Warner was 234.35!

[Schmoe]

There was basically one play on defense the entire day, and that's what won the game.

[Mars]

There was basically one play on defense the entire day, and that's what won the game.

Two plays (one to start the game, one to end the game)- both Aaron Rodgers turnovers (an INT and a fumble).

Of course, Rodgers >>> Alex Smith, who was somehow foolishly drafted ahead of him...

[BroncoBot]

There was basically one play on defense the entire day, and that's what won the game.

Two plays (one to start the game, one to end the game)- both Aaron Rodgers turnovers (an INT and a fumble).

Of course, Rodgers >>> Alex Smith, who was somehow foolishly drafted ahead of him...

Seriously, I would have picked Rodgers just because he was playing in a conference with much better competition.

[Schmoe]

And this week the Cardinals proved that it was no fluke when their defense gave up 45 to the Saints.