In The Trenches: Final Review
January 3rd, 2002
Here we are on the brink of the post-season � how did 17 weeks of pro football go by so quickly? The season has ended � now is the time to get a bird�s eye view of the 32 NFL team�s progress (or lack thereof) along their offensive and defensive lines during the 2002 season. What trends will spring out from the statistical woodwork when we look at each team? � Read on to find out.
Before we begin, some quick notes on the information in the tables � the average games cited below were the season averages at the various points in the season � not an average of each quarter (only 4 games), but the average to that point in the season. The ranking corresponds to the final numbers from the season.
AFC
Buffalo
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
79 |
96.8 |
96.4 |
99.8 |
24th |
|
Buffalo O |
YPC |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
13 |
30 |
38 |
54 |
31st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
125 |
125 |
131 |
133 |
29th |
|
Buffalo D |
YPC |
4.5 |
4.4 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
24th |
|
|
Sacks |
12 |
19 |
22 |
31 |
25th |
It�s fairly clear where the Bills need to focus their efforts in the off-season � better defenders.
Miami
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
165 |
141 |
139 |
156 |
2nd |
|
Miami O |
YPC |
5.1 |
4.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
4 |
7 |
16 |
25 |
7th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
94 |
93 |
89 |
97 |
5th |
|
Miami D |
YPC |
3.6 |
3.7 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks |
6 |
17 |
31 |
47 |
4th |
Statistically speaking, the Dolphins are one of the top teams in the NFL � they just choke in December.
New England
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
103 |
91 |
96 |
94 |
28th |
|
NE O |
YPC |
4.1 |
4 |
3.8 |
3.8 |
26th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
6 |
16 |
25 |
31 |
10th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
141 |
142 |
127 |
137 |
31st |
|
NE D |
YPC |
5.6 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
29th |
|
|
Sacks |
13 |
17 |
28 |
34 |
20th |
No wonder the Patriots aren�t making another appearance in the playoffs � they are weak on both sides of the line.
New York Jets
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
60 |
78 |
105 |
101 |
22nd |
|
NYJ O |
YPC |
3.6 |
3.8 |
3.8 |
4 |
22nd |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
13 |
19 |
24 |
32 |
11th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
185 |
157 |
127 |
123 |
18th |
|
NYJ D |
YPC |
5 |
5 |
4.9 |
4.6 |
27th |
|
|
Sacks |
13 |
10 |
17 |
30 |
26th |
The Jets have improved dramatically over the course of the 2002 season. Herman Edwards and his staff did one heck of a job coaching this team. Tough guy kudos go to Curtis Martin for playing his way through a nasty ankle sprain.
Baltimore
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
72 |
101 |
109 |
112 |
16th |
|
Baltimore
O |
YPC |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
14th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
6 |
12 |
31 |
41 |
23rd |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
105 |
103 |
109 |
110 |
13th |
|
Baltimore
D |
YPC |
3.6 |
4 |
3.8 |
3.7 |
1st |
|
|
Sacks |
6 |
16 |
22 |
33 |
22nd |
Baltimore�s Jamal Lewis is definitely �back� as a fine NFL runner. The young defense was surprisingly good in the absence of Ray Lewis. This team is going to make noise in 2003.
Cincinnati
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
83 |
111 |
107 |
108 |
21st |
|
Cincinnati
O |
YPC |
3.6 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
14 |
20 |
25 |
37 |
18th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
140 |
142 |
139 |
125 |
22nd |
|
Cincinnati
D |
YPC |
4.1 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4 |
10th |
|
|
Sacks |
5 |
8 |
13 |
25 |
30th |
Looks like a 2-14 team to me.
Cleveland
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
87 |
75 |
87 |
101 |
23rd |
|
Cleveland
O |
YPC |
3.8 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
4 |
22nd |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
8 |
15 |
20 |
35 |
14th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
135 |
135 |
126 |
130 |
27th |
|
Cleveland
D |
YPC |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.3 |
4.3 |
19th |
|
|
Sacks |
6 |
16 |
20 |
28 |
27th |
Cleveland may be in the playoffs, but it�s not thanks to the defensive front. William Green has really upgraded the Browns rushing attack over the final four weeks of 2002.
Pittsburgh
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
80 |
123 |
125 |
133 |
9th |
|
Pittsburgh
O |
YPC |
3.1 |
4.3 |
4.2 |
4.1 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
5 |
13 |
19 |
34 |
13th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
94 |
88 |
91 |
87 |
1st |
|
Pittsburgh
D |
YPC |
4.8 |
4 |
3.9 |
3.8 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks |
10 |
20 |
28 |
50 |
3rd |
After a rocky start, the Steelers are back to doing what they do well � running the ball and stuffing the opposition.
Houston
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
98 |
101 |
96 |
84 |
31st |
|
Houston O |
YPC |
3.4 |
3.6 |
3.4 |
3.2 |
32nd |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
16 |
44 |
58 |
76 |
32nd |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
117 |
122 |
129 |
131 |
28th |
|
Houston D |
YPC |
4.1 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
13th |
|
|
Sacks |
11 |
20 |
27 |
35 |
18th |
Houston�s 2002 offensive line � the worst ever in the history of the NFL � congratulations, guys! You were (at least) memorably bad.
Indianapolis
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
112 |
88 |
97 |
98 |
26th |
|
Indy O |
YPC |
3.9 |
3.6 |
3.6 |
3.6 |
29th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
4 |
14 |
19 |
23 |
4th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
136 |
147 |
132 |
125 |
20th |
|
Indy D |
YPC |
4.2 |
4.8 |
4.7 |
4.3 |
19th |
|
|
Sacks |
6 |
12 |
22 |
36 |
16th |
Edgerrin James just isn�t the back he used to be.
Jacksonville
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
157 |
139 |
136 |
131 |
10th |
|
Jax. O |
YPC |
4.7 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
5th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
3 |
14 |
26 |
42 |
24th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
107 |
125 |
119 |
129 |
25th |
|
Jax. D |
YPC |
4.1 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
19th |
|
|
Sacks |
4 |
16 |
28 |
36 |
16th |
A nice year for Taylor and Mack wasn�t enough to save Tom Coughlin�s job, or the Jaguars� season.
Tennessee
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
72 |
90 |
104 |
122 |
11th |
|
Tenn. O |
YPC |
2.9 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.8 |
26th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
7 |
13 |
15 |
21 |
2nd |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
82 |
115 |
101 |
89 |
2nd |
|
Tenn. D |
YPC |
3.7 |
4.4 |
4.1 |
3.8 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks |
12 |
16 |
28 |
40 |
9th |
Eddie George and the Titans challenged the Jets for �most improved offensive line play� in 2002.
Denver
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
141 |
134 |
133 |
142 |
5th |
|
Denver O |
YPC |
5 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
5 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
15 |
23 |
30 |
46 |
28th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
57 |
74 |
73 |
93 |
4th |
|
Denver D |
YPC |
2.9 |
3.5 |
3.4 |
3.9 |
9th |
|
|
Sacks |
10 |
20 |
28 |
40 |
9th |
Don�t blame Clinton Portis or the offensive linemen for the Bronco�s late season fade.
Kansas City
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
169 |
159 |
155 |
149 |
3rd |
|
KC O |
YPC |
5.4 |
5.2 |
5.3 |
5.1 |
2nd |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
4 |
13 |
19 |
26 |
8th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
98 |
114 |
126 |
129 |
24th |
|
KC D |
YPC |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5 |
4.8 |
30th |
|
|
Sacks |
7 |
12 |
18 |
34 |
20th |
Priest Holmes, fantasy football hero � 5.1 yards per carry on the season? That�s just sick. Now the Chiefs need to find a defense somewhere, and then they�ll have something.
Oakland
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
135 |
105 |
102 |
110 |
18th |
|
Oakland O |
YPC |
5.2 |
4.9 |
4.4 |
4.3 |
11th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
9 |
17 |
21 |
36 |
17th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
53 |
100 |
100 |
91 |
3rd |
|
Oakland D |
YPC |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4 |
3.8 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks |
5 |
18 |
28 |
43 |
6th |
Since the Raiders believe a dump-off pass to Charlie Garner is just as good as a hand-off, the offensive numbers are misleading. That�s a pretty stout defensive front, isn�t it?
San Diego
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
182 |
162 |
136 |
134 |
8th |
|
San Diego
O |
YPC |
4.9 |
4.8 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
5th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
5 |
8 |
14 |
24 |
6th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
77 |
79 |
104 |
109 |
11th |
|
San Diego
D |
YPC |
3.8 |
3.6 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks |
16 |
22 |
26 |
39 |
12th |
LaDainian Tomlinson is a great back, but he needs more help from the defense and more health among his blockers if the Chargers are to improve in 2003.
NFC
Dallas
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
111 |
113 |
120 |
110 |
19th |
|
Dallas O |
YPC |
4.3 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
4.1 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
11 |
27 |
39 |
54 |
31st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
105 |
105 |
106 |
114 |
15th |
|
Dallas D |
YPC |
3.9 |
3.6 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks |
15 |
18 |
21 |
24 |
31st |
Thanks for the memories, Emmitt Smith!
New York Giants
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
82 |
100 |
108 |
117 |
14th |
|
NYG O |
YPC |
2.9 |
3.6 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
25th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
11 |
18 |
22 |
24 |
6th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
88 |
116 |
123 |
114 |
16th |
|
NYG D |
YPC |
3.6 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
24th |
|
|
Sacks |
6 |
12 |
25 |
37 |
15th |
Jim Fassel made a huge difference by taking over the offensive play calling. Just look at the upward trend in the statistics.
Philadelphia
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
140 |
159 |
150 |
139 |
7th |
|
Philly O |
YPC |
5.2 |
5.2 |
4.8 |
4.5 |
8th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
19 |
25 |
32 |
36 |
17th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
87 |
87 |
93 |
104 |
9th |
|
Philly D |
YPC |
3.6 |
3.7 |
4 |
4.3 |
19th |
|
|
Sacks |
16 |
26 |
42 |
56 |
1st |
Philadelphia�s team is about more than just Donovan McNabb in 2002. Look at the consistent excellence in those numbers.
Washington
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
106 |
117 |
106 |
118 |
13th |
|
Wash. O |
YPC |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
11th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
9 |
24 |
29 |
38 |
20th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
137 |
113 |
119 |
110 |
12th |
|
Wash. D |
YPC |
5.3 |
4.4 |
4.3 |
4 |
10th |
|
|
Sacks |
9 |
19 |
29 |
40 |
9th |
The strength of the offense (running the ball) doesn�t fit with Spurrier�s philosophy. The defense rediscovered its game as the year progressed.
Chicago
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
82 |
77 |
83 |
84 |
32nd |
|
Chicago O |
YPC |
3.2 |
3.1 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
30th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
6 |
18 |
33 |
44 |
26th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
112 |
127 |
120 |
130 |
26th |
|
Chicago D |
YPC |
4 |
3.9 |
4 |
4.1 |
13th |
|
|
Sacks |
11 |
16 |
25 |
35 |
18th |
What an epic meltdown.
Detroit
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
76 |
86 |
92 |
92 |
29th |
|
Detroit O |
YPC |
3.3 |
3.5 |
4 |
4.1 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
10 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
1st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
116 |
101 |
113 |
123 |
17th |
|
Detroit D |
YPC |
3.9 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
4 |
10th |
|
|
Sacks |
4 |
17 |
23 |
33 |
22nd |
At least Joey Harrington didn�t get his block knocked off. Are you paying attention down there in Houston? This is how you should protect a franchise quarterback.
Green Bay
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
125 |
122 |
123 |
121 |
12th |
|
Green Bay
O |
YPC |
4.4 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
4.3 |
11th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
11 |
16 |
22 |
27 |
9th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
121 |
127 |
127 |
125 |
21st |
|
Green Bay
D |
YPC |
4.7 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
4.8 |
30th |
|
|
Sacks |
13 |
26 |
33 |
43 |
6th |
A model of consistency � Ahman Green is pretty good, isn�t he?
Minnesota
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
155 |
144 |
157 |
157 |
1st |
|
Minnesota
O |
YPC |
5 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
5.3 |
1st |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
14 |
19 |
36 |
49 |
29th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
107 |
94 |
109 |
105 |
10th |
|
Minnesota
D |
YPC |
4.2 |
3.9 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks |
7 |
16 |
21 |
27 |
29th |
A great sophomore campaign for Michael Bennett, and a big improvement in the rushing defense over 2001. Why didn�t this team win more games?
Atlanta
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
129 |
144 |
155 |
148 |
4th |
|
Atlanta O |
YPC |
4.4 |
4.6 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
8th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
13 |
22 |
30 |
36 |
17th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
114 |
123 |
121 |
128 |
23rd |
|
Atlanta D |
YPC |
4 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
27th |
|
|
Sacks |
7 |
20 |
39 |
47 |
4th |
Vick and Dunn can get the ball down-field, that�s for certain. The defensive line needs help in the off-season, though.
Carolina
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
116 |
101 |
105 |
99 |
25th |
|
Carolina
O |
YPC |
3.7 |
4 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
30th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
11 |
31 |
38 |
44 |
26th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
83 |
101 |
105 |
103 |
7th |
|
Carolina
D |
YPC |
3.8 |
4 |
3.8 |
3.7 |
1st |
|
|
Sacks |
18 |
31 |
38 |
52 |
2nd |
Jack Del Rio did a marvelous job for the Panthers. If DeShaun Foster develops (and the Panthers can find a quarterback somewhere), this team will make noise in 2003.
New Orleans
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
113 |
128 |
115 |
110 |
17th |
|
NO O |
YPC |
4.4 |
4.8 |
4.4 |
4.2 |
14th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
9 |
14 |
30 |
38 |
20th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
99 |
119 |
117 |
124 |
19th |
|
NO D |
YPC |
3.9 |
4.6 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
24th |
|
|
Sacks |
9 |
19 |
29 |
39 |
12th |
Another year, another late-season fade.
Tampa Bay
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
77 |
95 |
87 |
97 |
27th |
|
Tampa O |
YPC |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
26th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
9 |
21 |
25 |
41 |
23rd |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
81 |
101 |
97 |
97 |
5th |
|
Tampa D |
YPC |
3.2 |
3.9 |
3.8 |
3.8 |
3rd |
|
|
Sacks |
17 |
27 |
38 |
43 |
6th |
Is the Buccaneer�s defense any good? They don�t run the ball very well, though.
Arizona
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
122 |
122 |
114 |
114 |
15th |
|
Arizona O |
YPC |
4.3 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
10th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
8 |
15 |
27 |
41 |
23rd |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
91 |
112 |
139 |
134 |
30th |
|
Arizona D |
YPC |
3.3 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
23rd |
|
|
Sacks |
7 |
12 |
16 |
21 |
32nd |
Marcel Shipp and company fought hard, but injuries and defensive ineptitude torpedoed the Cardinal�s season.
St. Louis
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
79 |
120 |
105 |
88 |
30th |
|
St. Louis
O |
YPC |
4.1 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
4.1 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
11 |
17 |
32 |
46 |
28th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
114 |
94 |
101 |
114 |
14th |
|
St. Louis
D |
YPC |
4.3 |
4 |
4 |
4.1 |
13th |
|
|
Sacks |
10 |
20 |
31 |
46 |
14th |
O.K., who else thinks that space aliens stole the real Marshall Faulk? Hey, it�s a theory.
San Francisco
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
154 |
147 |
143 |
140 |
6th |
|
San Fran
O |
YPC |
5.4 |
4.8 |
4.7 |
4.6 |
5th |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
5 |
8 |
17 |
22 |
3rd |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
97 |
115 |
108 |
104 |
7th |
|
San Fran
D |
YPC |
4 |
4.6 |
4.4 |
4.2 |
16th |
|
|
Sacks |
11 |
19 |
23 |
32 |
24th |
Hearst and Barlow are like peanut butter and jelly � they just belong together. They had a great season rushing the ball as a team.
Seattle
|
Team |
Category |
1st Q. |
2nd Q. |
3rd Q. |
Final |
Ranking |
|
|
Ave Game Rushing |
81 |
85 |
95 |
109 |
20th |
|
Seattle O |
YPC |
3.4 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4 |
22nd |
|
|
Sacks allowed |
6 |
15 |
22 |
33 |
12th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ave Rush Yds. Allowed |
189 |
173 |
172 |
153 |
32nd |
|
Seattle D |
YPC |
5.3 |
5.1 |
5.2 |
4.9 |
32nd |
|
|
Sacks |
10 |
17 |
21 |
28 |
27th |
They gutted it out to the bitter end � coach Holmgren earned another season on the strength of their never-say-die December.
Closing Thoughts
Seattle and the New York Jets charged hard to finish their seasons. The Jets may go deep into the post-season on the back of Curtis Martin and their offensive line. Carolina�s young and intimidating defense could form the core of a championship team in years to come. Fassel and the Giants have revitalized their rushing attack as the season progressed. Michael Bennett and Moe Williams have made the Vikings forget about departed Robert Smith. Michael Vick is just beginning to grow into his prowess, and Warrick Dunn is just about a perfect compliment to Vick�s skills (scary thought).
Chicago is scary-bad and may need a few years to rebuild on offense. Jon Gruden�s offense couldn�t provide a rushing attack in Tampa and that may cost them in the playoffs. Arizona has no defensive front to speak of. There is a lot of work to be done if Dallas is to rejoin the ranks of the NFL elite � too many bad drafts and bad trades have dug the �Boys into a deep hole, Tuna or no Tuna.
Mark Wimer
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