In The Trenches: First Quarter Review - NFC
October 12th, 2002
A lot of factors impact how a fantasy football franchise's season progresses. Injuries, benchings, and league mandated suspensions can all cause trouble for your club. One of the main elements that impacts the scoring of fantasy football stars - quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive teams most especially - is the performance of two key units - the offensive and defensive lines. When the offensive line is blocking well, backs like Fred Taylor have big holes to exploit, and quarterbacks like Mark Brunell have plenty of time to pick apart opposing secondaries. When the line stinks, players like David Carr get beat to a pulp. Similarly, defensive teams that were expected to dominate (the Bears and the Packers spring to mind) can fall short if the defensive line is too old or banged up to do it's job.
Below are statistical snapshots and commentary on the 16 NFC teams' performance thus far in the season. This information should help you in making free agent moves, and will also be useful when evaluating trade offers that come your way.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys offensive line started off playing poorly this season, and Emmitt Smith and Quincy Carter were struggling early on due to their poor effort. Larry Allen in particular is having trouble staying healthy, and so is Kelvin Garmon. Just past the one-quarter mark of the season, the Cowboys are mired in mediocrity. They have allowed 11 sacks so far this season, tied for 19th in the NFL. They are 15th in the league amassing 111.2 yards per game rushing on the ground so far, and are tied for 13th in the league in terms of average yards per carry, at 4.3 per rush.
The big guys on the front line of the defense are playing better football than their counterparts on the offense, currently ranking 15th in the league in terms of yardage allowed on the season (105 per contest), but they are really stout on a per carry basis, averaging 3.9 yards allowed per carry, good for 11th in the league (tie). They have also sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times so far this season, 5th best in the league so far.
New York Giants
The Giants' offensive line is really struggling in the early going this season, and they have the league's worst yards per carry average, at 2.9 yards per rush (although part of that statistic is due to lumbering Ron Dayne, Tiki Barber has also had a hard time finding running room on many of his carries). On the season they have averaged 82.2 yards per game, tied for 23rd in the NFL, and have allowed 11 sacks, tied for 19th overall.
Big Blues' defensive front is the reverse image of their compatriots on the offense. One of the best units in the league, the Giants have allowed only 88 yards of rushing per game on average. Their 3.6 yards allowed per carry is tied for 6th best in the league. One weakness: the Giants have only sacked the opposing quarterback 6 times this season, ranking 29th in the league.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' quarterback is already hailed as one of the best in the NFL, but when you consider how poorly his line is protecting him, he should probably be considered the most talented guy slinging the pigskin in 2002. The Eagles have allowed an abysmally poor 19 sacks on McNabb this season 31st in the league (only the expansion Texans are worse). McNabb's scrambling ability helps mask the problem with his elusiveness - the Eagles rank as the 6th best team in terms of rushing yardage per game (140.4 yards per contest), and are currently ranked 3rd in the league averaging 5.2 yards per tote. Credit McNabb for much of those flashy numbers, he's had to do it on his own, mostly.
The defensive front is playing very well, even in the face of multiple nagging injuries among the unit's personnel (Corey Simon hasn't been really healthy yet this season, for example). The Eagles rank as the 7th best rushing defense in the league, surrendering only 87 yards per game so far. They are tied for 6th in terms of yards allowed per rush, at 3.6 per carry on average, and are beating opposing quarterbacks to a pulp, with a 16 sacks so far, good for 4th in the NFL.
Washington Redskins
In an up and down start, the Redskins' line is playing credibly, and has done so under difficult circumstances. With multiple signal callers under center, they've had to adjust to a lot of different cadences from the revolving-door quarterback position. The big guys up front have allowed only 9 sacks so far, tied for 11th best in the league, and have helped the team average 106 yards per game (16th in the league). Stephen Davis has found room to run - the Redskins average 4.4 yards per carry thus far, tied for 9th best in the NFL.
The defensive front stinks so far this season. They are the 27th ranked team in the NFL, allowing 137 rushing yards per game, and are 30th (tied with Seattle) in the league surrendering 5.3 yards per rush. 9 sacks are all the team has mustered, tied for 19th in the NFL.
Chicago Bears
The Bears' offensive front is disappointing so far this season. Anthony Thomas is having trouble finding room to roam; the team averages only 81.6 yards per game. Their 3.2 yards per carry average is 29th worst in the NFL (tie-Tampa Bay). The pass blocking has been good, though, only 6 sacks surrendered (tie-7th).
The defensive line is marginally better - they rise to the "mediocre" level compared to the rest of the league. Most of the problem is that Ted Washington and Phillip Daniels have been unable to contribute standing on the sidelines due to injuries. Chicago has allowed 112 yards per game on average, 18th in the NFL, and is tied at 14th in terms of yards per carry, at 4.0. They are in a three way tie for 11th in the league with 11 sacks.
Detroit Lions
Here's some information that isn't exactly a news flash: the Lion's lines aren't very good. The offensive line has been ineffective: the Lions are the 30th ranked team rushing the ball this season with 76 yards per game on average, and also rank at the bottom in terms of yards per carry at 3.3 (28th). They are trying to protect the quarterback, allowing 10 sacks so far, tied for 16th in the league.
The Lions are 21st vs. opposing rushing attacks at 116 yards per game allowed. They are 11th in the league surrendering only 3.9 yards per carry, and have managed a mere 4 sacks so far this season, worst in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay's offensive line has looked great at times, and mediocre at others, leading to a middle-of-the-road set of statistics at the one-quarter mark. The Packers are the 11th ranked rushing team in the NFL at 124.8 yards per game on average, and are tied for 9th averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The Pack has allowed Brett Favre to be sacked 11 times, tied for 19th in the league currently.
The Green Bay defensive line has been awful, and is really missing the help of Vonnie Holliday. Now Joe Johnson is gone for the season, so the pain will probably continue to get worse. On the season, the Pack is the 23rd ranking rushing defense, allowing an average of 121 yards per game. They're in a three-way tie for 24th in terms of yards per carry, at 4.7. The Packers have managed to find the opposing quarterbacks regularly, with 13 sacks (tie-7th in the NFL).
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings' offensive line is playing very well in the rushing phase of the game in 2002. The team is 4th in the league with 154.5 yards per game on the ground, and ranks 5th in the NFL averaging 5.0 yards per carry. They are less proficient at pass blocking in 2002 - Daunte Culpepper has been sacked 14 times, for a ranking of 26th in the NFL.
The defensive front is improved in 2002, but still in the middle of the NFL pack. The team is ranked 17th in the league allowing 107 yards per game rushing, and allows 4.2 yards per carry, 20th in the league. With only 7 sacks, the Vikes are in a four-way tie for 25th in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons
The triple-threat backfield of the Falcons enjoyed good production in the first quarter of the season, averaging 128.8 yards per game (10th in the NFL). Their 4.4 yards per carry ranks 9th in the NFL, but their 13 sacks is a lowly 25th in the league. The sacks were very costly - Vick is out for some time with a shoulder injury taken on a sack.
The defensive front started the season riddled with injuries but has gradually returned to health, the bad start contributing to their unimpressive first quarter statistics. The Falcons are 20th in the league allowing 114 yards per game on average so far, and are 14th in the league allowing 4.0 yards per carry. They haven't pressured opposing quarterbacks much, producing only 7 sacks so far (tie-25th in the NFL).
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are the surprise team of 2002, and much of their success is due to outstanding performance from the defensive line. The offensive line is merely effective - the Panthers are the 13th best rushing team in the NFL, averaging 116.2 yards per game, and are the 24th ranked team with a 3.7 yards per carry average. Rodney Peete has been hit a lot - 11 sacks so far - which ranks at 24th in the NFL.
The defensive front is menacing. They are the 5th best rush defense in the NFL, allowing only 83 yards per game, and are tied for 9th allowing only 3.8 yards per rush. The Panthers have pummeled opposing quarterbacks, tied with San Diego for best in the NFL with 18 sacks.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints possess a very effective offensive line, currently ranking 14th in the NFL with 113.2 yards per game. They are tied for 9th with a 4.4 yards per carry average, and tied for 11th allowing only 9 sacks in the early part of the year.
The defensive front is also pretty good, ranking 13th in the NFL so far allowing 99 yards per game, with a 3.9 yards per rush average (tie-11th). The Saints are 19th in the league with 9 sacks so far this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers' offensive line has struggled all season long - LG Kerry Jenkins is playing with a fractured leg, and Kenyatta Walker has been in and out of the lineup due to injury and an early season benching - so continuity is not their strong suit. It shows in the offense's stats, too - The Buccaneers are the 29th ranked rushing squad in the NFL this season, managing only 76.8 yards per game, and are tied for 29th with a 3.2 yards per carry average. Neither Michael Pittman or Mike Alstott have really got going yet, for lack of holes to run through. They have also allowed 9 sacks on the season, tied for 11th in the league.
The defensive front is much stronger than the offensive line, they are currently the 3rd ranked rushing defense in the league, allowing only 81 yards per game on average, and a miniscule 3.2 yards per carry, tied with Denver for first in the league. The Bucs are 3rd in the NFL with 17 sacks in the early going. A stellar, all-around performance by the Bucs' line.
Arizona Cardinals
These aren't your typical Cardinals. Both the offensive line and the defensive front are significantly better units in 2002 than they have been for quite some time.
The offensive line has helped power a rushing attack that is currently 12th in the NFL, with 121.8 yards per game on average. The Cards are tied for 13th, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and have allowed only 8 sacks this year, 10th best in the league.
The defense ranks 9th in the league allowing 91 yards per contest, and is the 3rd ranked defensive front in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per carry at 3.3. One thing that they aren't excelling at is sacking the opposition - the Cardinals have 7 sacks which ranks 25th in the league.
St. Louis Rams
St. Louis is a very disappointing bunch of players in 2002, and their lines are no exception. The Rams are 28th in the league running the ball, averaging only 78.8 yards per game. They rank 17th with 4.1 yards per rush on average, and have allowed 11 sacks this year, tied for 19th in the league.
The defensive front is soft, allowing 114 yards per game (19th), rank 21st in terms of yards per carry (4.3), and 14th with 10 sacks so far. But the team is playing more poorly each week, and looks like a disheartened bunch heading into the second portion of the year.
San Francisco 49'ers
The 49'ers can run the ball in 2002. They rank 5th in the league this season averaging 153.8 yards per game. They are 2nd in the NFL in yards per carry at 5.4, and they are tied for 3rd in the league with a tiny 5 sacks allowed this season.
The defensive front is good at stopping the run. The 9'ers rank 12th in the league allowing 97 yards per contest. They are 14th in yards allowed per carry, at 4.0. The line also gets a good burst into the backfield, and has helped ring up 11 sacks so far, good for 11th in the league.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle really struggled to move the ball on the ground to start the season, and it shows in their statistics. On the season, the Seahawks are 26th in the league with 80.8 yards per game on average, and rank 26th with a 3.4 yards per carry average. Shaun Alexander has enjoyed only one good game thus far in 2002 - and now injuries have depleted their line; starting LG Steve Hutchinson is out with a broken leg, incurred during the one decent game Alexander has played this season. The Seahawks are protecting Dilfer well - they've only allowed 6 sacks all season (tie-7th).
The Seahawks are one of the easiest teams to run on - they give away an average of 189 yards to their opponents every game (31st in the NFL), and allow 5.3 yards per rush (tie-30th). One thing they do fairly well is pressure the opposing quarterback - the 'Hawks are 14th in the NFL averaging 10 sacks per game.
- We'll revisit both the AFC's and the NFC's lines again at the half-way point of the season. - MW.
Mark Wimer
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