* A previous version of this sentence incorrectly stated that David Irving strictly plays inside, and that the Cowboys frequently do not get pressure from the edge. Read more
Yes. That’s correct. But the trio of Brown, Bell, and Roethlisberger is as good as any WR-RB-QB group in the league. And they’re often talked about like they’re the Greatest Show on Turf whenever they’re on TV. Read more
Nah. The Jets beat is a pretty swell gig. There’s always a story to tell. Read more
Derp. Fixed it. Thank you. Read more
The Rams were better than I remembered, granted. But the Saints made one playoff appearance in the ’80s, and they didn’t have a winning record in that decade till 1987. Football Outsiders’ data only goes back as far as 1989. The Niners’ strength of schedule that year was 22nd. The average defensive DVOA of their… Read more
Joe Montana was ideally suited for Bill Walsh’s West Coast system, which used short passes to take advantage of bigger, slower defenses. He had Jerry Rice, John Taylor, and Roger Craig. He played in an NFC West that included the shit-ass Rams, Falcons, and Saints. Before he joined the Niners, Steve Young went 3-16… Read more
We can agree on that. But why is anything you just said any different from the way Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense took advantage of the plodding defenses of yore with a short passing game, with a QB like Joe Montana who could perfectly execute that system, an all-time receiver like Jerry Rice, and a schedule that… Read more
I never said it was irrelevant for Brady. Read my final paragraph. My point is that Brady’s excellence elevates what’s been a great system. Read more
Except that the average defensive DVOA of the Patriots’ opponents this year ranked 10th. The Cowboys’ was 11th. The Steelers’ was 23rd. The Packers’ was 27th. Read more
99.9 percent? And I’m being disingenuous? Read more
What’s so difficult to understand? The Patriots’ system makes those other QBs good, Brady’s excellence makes the team great. Remember: Cassel missed the playoffs—only time that’s happened for the Pats since 2002—and Brissett got shut out by Rex Ryan’s crap defense. Read more
* This paragraph was updated to more accurately describe Montgomery’s role in his high school offense. Read more
Duh. Should be 13 this year (so far). I’ve fixed the sentence. Thanks. Read more
It’s fixed. Thanks. Read more
Good point. I was trying to show why they’re winning. But it’s absolutely fair to wonder whether a regression is in order, and what a very good running team like the Cowboys might do against them. Read more
Good point. This may not be sustainable, but it’s now been a nine-game pattern (versus four games), and interceptions (rather than fumbles, which are mostly luck) have fueled their takeaway improvement. Read more
Also: Heh. Read more
Derp. Fixed. Thanks. Read more
Yup. Pretty amazing. I’ve added that. Thanks. Read more