This stat tells it all

[E CaT PanTHer]

The San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts, clearly 2 of best teams in the AFC and possibly the entire NFL, are 31st and 32nd in rushing respectively.

This just proves that the contemporary NFL is all about QB's, and if you don't have an elite QB, you have no shot at winning a championship. Whether that QB is Matt Moore or someone we end up drafting, I hope we find that guy soon.

[Guild]

I don't think we are quite to that point yet.

A few more years considering the way the rules have been changing and the development of the passing game and you will likely be right in that an ELITE quarterback will be necessary to win consistently.

[panthers55]

The San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts, clearly 2 of best teams in the AFC and possibly the entire NFL, are 31st and 32nd in rushing respectively.

This just proves that the contemporary NFL is all about QB's, and if you don't have an elite QB, you have no shot at winning a championship. Whether that QB is Matt Moore or someone we end up drafting, I hope we find that guy soon.

And the fact that Dallas, New Orleans, and Cincinatti all have top 10 rushing attacks suggests that it is all about offense not just passing. The fact that San Diego, Indy usually do poorly in the playoffs suggests that passing alone makes you one dimensional.

Consider also that both Indy and San Diego are in the top 11 in scoring defense. I bet that has nothing to do with their success at all. In fact the only 2 in the top 10 in scoring defense not in the playoffs were us and the 49ers. Both of us has pretty enemic offenses.

[Wither]

And the fact that Dallas, New Orleans, and Cincinatti all have top 10 rushing attacks suggests that it is all about offense not just passing. The fact that San Diego, Indy usually do poorly in the playoffs suggests that passing alone makes you one dimensional.

Consider also that both Indy and San Diego are in the top 11 in scoring defense. I bet that has nothing to do with their success at all. In fact the only 2 in the top 10 in scoring defense not in the playoffs were us and the 49ers. Both of us has pretty enemic offenses.

In the Panthers case I'd say it has more to do with turnovers.

[ncbobcat]

It suggests that one facet of their team is ranked high. This is a team sport and one man does not make or break the success of a team.

Rivers finally got some talent at WR, that's what helped him.

As for Manning being the elite QB that he is, why does he have exactly ONE Super Bowl win (against a Bears' team with just a stout defense to account for their success)? If he is that one man wrecking crew, why doesn't he have more Super Bowl wins--appearances even?

Answer--it's not ALL about the QB.

[jpniner]

wonder how many Rush attempts SD and Indy had compared to other teams.

As for Manning as elite of a QB as he is, he has exactly ONE Super Bowl win against a Bears' with just a stout defense to account for their success. If he is the one man wrecking crew, why doesn't he have more Super Bowl wins--appearances even?

Tom Brady, Bill Bellichek and the Patriots.

If Indy was in NFC he'd have alot more apparences.

[Wither]

The QB position is overrated. No one position is more important because the team cannot function to it's full ability without someone at every position.

I remember someone saying one time that the QB was the most important position because he touches the ball every play. Yeah, so does the center. Does that make the center equally as important?

Maybe it's because the QB scores so many points? Alright, let's look at Brady:

Touchdowns: 28 * 6 = 168 points.

Now, their kicker:

Field Goals: 26 * 3 = 78 points.

Extra Points: 47 + 78 = 125 points.

168 vs 125. Not too far off. So is the kicker second in priority? This is also negating any turnovers by the QB.

I realize those stats are inconsequential and my points are simply smart ass remarks. However, my overall point is that there is no outstanding statistic or trait that makes a QB better than, or more important than, everyone else on the team.

[Carolina Crazy V2]

The San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts, clearly 2 of best teams in the AFC and possibly the entire NFL, are 31st and 32nd in rushing respectively.

This just proves that the contemporary NFL is all about QB's, and if you don't have an elite QB, you have no shot at winning a championship. Whether that QB is Matt Moore or someone we end up drafting, I hope we find that guy soon.

We'll change that.

[panthers55]

In the Panthers case I'd say it has more to do with turnovers.

Both ways early in the season, giving up too many and not getting many. Toward the end obviously we we getting a bunch and giving up very few.

Still we ended up 22nd in scoring offense whereas the top 7 teams were all in the playoffs.

[Newtcase]

QB, WR, RB, PR, DST....It matters not which positions are elite on your team, as long as it translates to points. Last time I checked, points won NFL games not elite QB's.

[PntherPryd]

And the fact that Dallas, New Orleans, and Cincinatti all have top 10 rushing attacks suggests that it is all about offense not just passing. The fact that San Diego, Indy usually do poorly in the playoffs suggests that passing alone makes you one dimensional.

Consider also that both Indy and San Diego are in the top 11 in scoring defense. I bet that has nothing to do with their success at all. In fact the only 2 in the top 10 in scoring defense not in the playoffs were us and the 49ers. Both of us has pretty enemic offenses.

Very good point that also explains the success of the Saints early in the season when their defense could do no wrong. Their defense loses it's scoring magic and "boom" .... middle of the pack.

Also makes me frustrated as hell with our early losses because our defense was peaking at just the right time. Any of these wild cards could be playing in the Super Bowl if their defense steps up.

[blackcatgrowl]

QB, WR, RB, PR, DST....It matters not which positions are elite on your team, as long as it translates to points. Last time I checked, points won NFL games not elite QB's.

You do understand that with the current rules about "defensive pass interference", "illegal contact" and over the top official enforcement of "roughing the passer" rules, the NFL has been modified to put emphasis on the pass more... right?

What you've just said is akin to saying "Heat fries bacon, not pans". Uh... duh... but you ain't cooking without a pan. And you aint scoring without a damn good QB these days.

[panthers55]

Very good point that also explains the success of the Saints early in the season when their defense could do no wrong. Their defense loses it's scoring magic and "boom" .... middle of the pack.

Also makes me frustrated as hell with our early losses because our defense was peaking at just the right time. Any of these wild cards could be playing in the Super Bowl if their defense steps up.

Exactly, teams can get in the playoffs with good offense or good defense but those that go deep have to play both good offense and defense in the playoffs.

As for us I was afraid after watching all preseason that it would take some time for the defense to gell. I had hoped that our offense would make the difference like it did last year. So much for wishful thinking. Still it gives hope that the guys can pick up where they left off and do well all season next year. Frankly I had hoped if we went to a Tampa 2 we would look like the Tampa defensive teams under Kiffin. If we can tighten up against the run we should easily be in the top 10 next year barring another year filled with injuries.

[PhillyB]

yeah and what happens when they face the top several pass defenses?