In The Trenches: Third Quarter Review - NFC
December 6th, 2002
It's time for the stretch run into the NFL playoffs! Heading into the crucial fourth quarter of the season, which teams are struggling to rush the ball, and which are on a tear? Whose defense is clamping down on the opposition, and whose is laying down for the other team? Read on and find out - at the end of the review we'll look at the third quarters' most improved (and most degraded) teams.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas' rushing attack continue to improve incrementally in the third quarter, adding 6.1 yards per game to their average (to 119.5, 12th in the NFL) and .2 yards to their per carry average (to 4.4, 11th in the NFL). They are still allowing way too many sacks - 12 more to total 39 over the past four weeks - which ranks 30th in the NFL.
The defensive front remains one of the best vs. the rush in football, allowing only 106 rushing yards per game (11th), and holding steady at 3.6 yards per carry on average (1st in the NFL). The team just isn't getting to the opposing quarterbacks, however, getting 3 more sacks over the last four weeks to total 21 this season (26th in the NFL).
G Larry Allen couldn't get his ankle well and has joined OL Marques McFadden on IR, and LB Jamal Brooks also ended up his season on IR (fractured left fibula).
New York Giants
The Giant's line improved in all phases over the third quarter - the average yards per game went up by 6.1 to 107.6 (16th in the NFL), and the yards per carry average gained .1 (to 3.7, 26th in the NFL). The line sheltered Kerry Collins extremely well during the third quarter of the season, giving up only 4 more sacks to total 22 on the year (9th in the NFL).
The defensive front continued it's slow decline in rush defense, adding 7 yards per game to their average (123 yards allowed, 21st in the NFL) and .1 yards to the average yards per carry (4.7, 28th ranked). The team did get after the opposing quarterback in the third quarter, adding 13 sacks in the last four weeks (to 25, 19th in the NFL).
On the offensive line, Dusty Ziegler (knee) joined Jeff Hatch (back) and Sean Guthrie (knee) on IR, and DT Keith Hamilton is also on IR (Achilles).
Philadelphia Eagles
Despite losing Donovan McNabb for the rest of the regular season, the Eagle's rushing unit continues to lead the NFL, generating 150.4 yards per game on average (5th in the NFL), a slight decline from the half-way point (159). They dropped their average yards per carry by almost half a yard (.4) during the third quarter of the season, but remain in the top 5 in the NFL at 4.8 yards per carry (3rd ranked). The team allowed 7 more sacks to total 32 this year (23rd in the league).
The defense remained dominant in the third quarter as well, and averages only 93 yards per game allowed (6 more than the halfway point), 3rd in the NFL. Average yards per carry jumped a bit - to 4.0 from 3.7 at the mid-point - to rank 10th in the league. The Eagles added 16 more sacks to topple Carolina from the top ranked spot - the Eagles have 42 so far this season.
DL Derrick Burgess remains on the sidelines with a broken bone in his foot, and DT Hollis Thomas (right foot) was added to IR in the third quarter.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins running attack slowed in the third quarter of the season, averaging 106.1 yards per game (-10.8 per game, 19th in the NFL), their yards per carry declined by .3 to 4.1 (19th in the NFL), and the line allowed 5 more sacks to total 29 this season (19th in the NFL).
The rushing defense held fairly steady, adding 6 yards per game to their average since the halfway point, to 119 rushing yards per game allowed (18th), but dropped .1 yards allowed per carry from their average (4.3, 18th in the NFL). They added 10 more sacks in the third quarter, to total 29 this year (12th in the NFL).
Chicago Bears
The Bears' rushing attack remained one of the least productive in the NFL during the third quarter. They now average 82.7 yards per game (32nd in the NFL, +6 since week 13), 3.4 yards per carry (+.3, but still tied for last in the league), and gave up 15 sacks in the last four weeks for a season total of 33 (26th ranked). That's very poor pass protection during the last four games.
The defense held steady in their performance during the third quarter, ranking 19th allowing 120 yards per game on average (-7 over the last four weeks), and averaging 4.0 yards allowed per carry (10th in the NFL, +.1 since week 9). The pass rush improved, netting 9 more sacks to total 25 (19th in the NFL).
G Rex Tucker (dislocated ankle) and OT Marc Colombo (knee) joined DT Ted Washington (foot) on IR since week 9. (So did RB Anthony Thomas, by the way.)
Detroit Lions
The Lions continue to improve their rushing attack - they now rank 29th in the NFL averaging 91.8 yards per game (+6.3 yards to the average), and added .5 yards per carry to their yards per carry average (4.0, 20th in the NFL). The line also protects Joey Harrington, allowing only 2 more sacks to total 16 (2nd in the NFL).
The defense has dropped off in production, now allowing 113 yards per game (+12 yards per game to the average) which ranks 15th in the NFL. The yards allowed per carry went up to 3.8 yards per carry, +.2 since week 9 (5th in the NFL), and sacking dropped off, only 6 more over the past four weeks for a total of 23 (22nd in the NFL).
G Tony Semple (shoulder), OT Kerlin Blaise (left knee) and OT Victor Rogers (ankle) all landed on IR over the third quarter of the season.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay's rushing attack remained solid in the third quarter of the season; now ranking 11th in the NFL generating 122.7 yards per game (+.9 yards per game since week 9) and they are 11th in the NFL averaging 4.4 yards per carry (+.1 since the halfway point). The line continues to protect Favre well, allowing 6 more sacks to total 22 (9th in the NFL).
The defense is another story though, mired at 25th in the NFL allowing 127 yards per game (no change), 31st in the NFL in yards allowed per carry (4.9, a +.2 change since midway) and only managed to add 7 sacks in the last four games (6th in the NFL with 33).
OT Mark Tauscher was joined on IR by DE Joe Johnson (triceps) and OT Chad Clifton (hip) in the third quarter of the 2002 season.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota's rushing attack remained among the NFL's elite through the third quarter of the season and actually improved quite a bit. They added 13.2 yards per game to their average (2nd in the NFL), are first with a 5.3 yards per carry average (up .4 yards per carry from halfway through the season). They were terrible at protecting Culpepper during the last four weeks, though, giving up 17 more sacks to total 36 (29th in the NFL).
The defense backslid in the third quarter of 2002, now allowing 109 rushing yards per game on average (+15 to the average), and 4.2 yards per carry (+.3 since week 9). The team only generated 5 more sacks (to 21, 26th in the NFL).
DT's Talance Sawyer, Winfield Garnett, and DE Willie Howard are all on IR - but no new additions in the third quarter of the year.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons continue to be a rushing juggernaut, improving their numbers once again over the third quarter of the season. The average yards per game jumped by 10.1 in the third quarter (to 154.5, 3rd in the NFL), their yards per carry inched up to 4.7 (+.1 since week 9), 4th in the NFL, and they allowed 8 more sacks to total 30 on the season (22nd in the NFL).
The defense held steady in the third quarter of 2002, allowing 121 yards per game on average (- 2 over the past four weeks), 20th in the NFL. The yards allowed per carry dipped slightly, to 4.5 (-.2), 24th in the league. The team turned on their sacking, though, almost doubling - from 20 to 39 - and now rank 2nd in the NFL in this category.
DT's Shane Dronett (shoulder) and Jerry Togai (shoulder) are on IR - no new linemen since week 9, though.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers continued to fade in the third quarter of 2002, dropping to 106.8 yards per game rushing, on average (-6 over the last four weeks), 17th in the NFL, and held steady at 3.7 yards per carry (26th in the NFL). Their line gave up a whopping 14 additional sacks during the last four weeks, to total 32 (23rd in the NFL).
The defense remained steady, now allowing 105 yards per game rushing (10th in the NFL, a +4 change since week 9), and allow 3.8 yards per carry (down .2 over the last four weeks), which is 5th in the NFL. The team has 38 sacks, 7 more in the last four games, to rank 3rd in the league.
Rookie sacker Julius Peppers is now suspended for the rest of the season, so he joins DT Sean Gilbert (hip) and DE Fernando Smith (neck) on the sideline (they are on IR).
New Orleans Saints
The Saint's line tailed off in the third quarter, shedding 13.3 yards per game from their average (to 114.8, 13th in the NFL), dropping .4 yards per carry (to 4.4, 11th), and allowing 16 more sacks to total 30 (22nd in the NFL).
The rushing defense improved slightly, now averaging 117 yards per game allowed on the ground (17th in the NFL, -2 since halfway). They allow 4.3 yards per rush (18th, down .3 since week 9), and have 29 sacks (+10), ranked 12th in the NFL.
The Saints have stayed healthy along both lines in 2002.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are not a good running team. They rank 31st in the NFL gaining 87.4 yards per game on average (a 6.6 decline since the halfway point), and 30th in the league gaining 3.4 yards per carry (- .2 since week 9). They did protect Brad Johnson well in the third quarter, giving up only 4 more sacks (to 25, 13th in the NFL).
Their D remains stellar, ranking 6th in the league allowing 97 rushing yards per game (- 4 since midway through the season), 5th at 3.8 yards per carry (+.1 since week 9), and have generated 38 sacks (3rd in the NFL, +11 over the last four weeks).
Marcus Jones in now a Bill, so no Bucs are on IR at this point.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are fading faster than a pair of blue-jeans in bleach, and have bled 8 yards off their yards per game average over the last four weeks (to 114.1, 14th in the NFL). Their yards-per-carry average got slightly better (+.1, to 4.4, 11th in the NFL), while they allowed 12 more sacks in the last four weeks (to 27, 17th in the league).
Their D is racing to the bottom of the league, adding 27 yards to their per game average in the last four weeks (to 139, 29th in the NFL), .5 yards per carry to their yards per carry average (to 4.3, 18th in the league), and the Cards only managed to sack opposing passers 4 more times (to 16, 31st ranked).
DE's Thomas Burke (knee) and Alton Moore (knee) are sidelined, and OL Anthony Clement (arm) landed on IR over the third quarter of the season.
St. Louis Rams
The Ram's offensive line is sinking fast, shedding 15.8 yards from their rushing yards per game average (to 104.5, 20th in the NFL), dropping .2 yards per carry (to 4.5, 9th in the NFL) and giving up 15 more sacks in the last four weeks to total 32 (23rd in the NFL).
Their defense remained stout against the run, now averaging 101 yards per game (8th in the NFL, a change of +7 yards to the average), and held steady at 4.0 yards allowed per carry. They generated 11 more sacks in the third quarter of the season, to total 31 (7th in the NFL).
Orlando Pace (hamstring) joins OT Grant Williams (leg) and G Travis Scott (shoulder) on the sidelines (IR).
San Francisco 49'ers
The 49'ers have one of the best lines in football, and continued their excellence in the rushing phase of the game during the third quarter of 2002. The team is gaining 142.7 yards per game rushing on average (a slight drop of 4.2 yards since halfway through the season), 7th best in the league. They average 4.7 yards per carry this year, 4th in the NFL, (a slight .1 drop in production). One problem cropped up recently - they allowed 9 sacks in the third quarter of the year, more than doubling their first half total of 8, to drop to 4th in the league with 17 total sacks allowed.
The defense stiffened vs. the rush in the last four weeks, shedding 7 yards from their rushing yards allowed per game average (to 108 per game, 12th in the NFL). They allow 4.4 yards per rush on average (a drop of .2 yards per carry from the midway point) and are not sacking the opposition much at all - they only managed 4 more sacks in the last four games, to total 23 this year (22nd in the NFL).
G Dave Fiore remains the only lineman on IR for this team.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle improved in the rushing phase of the game over the past four weeks, adding 10.3 rushing yards to their per game average (to 94.9 yards per game, 27th in the NFL). They improved their per rush average by almost � a yard (+.4 to 3.8 yards per carry, 23rd in the league), and gave up 7 more sacks in the past quarter, to total 22 (9th ranked).
The rushing defense remains horrid - the Seahawks are dead last in both yards allowed (172 yards per game, a -1 improvement since halfway) and yards allowed per carry (5.2 yards per carry, +.1 since midway). They are 26th in the league with only 21 sacks (they got 4 more in the past four weeks).
G Steve Hutchinson (right leg) and OT Chris McIntosh (neck) are on IR for the offensive line, while DE Brandon Mitchell (calf) is sidelined for the defensive front.
Gainers and Losers
Two teams' rushing units saw significant improvement over the third quarter - the New York Giants and the Falcons. Washington, St. Louis, and New Orleans all faded badly in the third quarter of the season in their offenses' rushing performance. No NFC defense improved markedly (San Francisco made some incremental gains) - the teams either held their own or dropped off. The three most degraded defensive fronts in the third quarter were Arizona, Green Bay, and Minnesota.
Have fun in your league's playoff stretch run, everybody! - MW.
Mark Wimer
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