mrfakename wrote:
$B$Dog$ wrote:
Irrelevant but fact.
For months now equally matched teams have been decided by STs.
In the NFL, "equally" matched teams are ALWAYS separated by ST plays. There are tons of games that end with game winning/losing FG attempts. Heck, I have a 92/92 K who is only 80.6% for FGs this season! And yes, teams with great special teams have always had an advantage...think of the great KRs/PRs recently...how about DJax, or Devin Hester in his prime a few years ago...they are/were a threat EVERY single time they received a punt. Those are decided advantages for those teams.
Also, "equally matched" is subjective. On paper, maybe the ratings are close...but If one team has better game planning than another, then "equally" matched goes out the window.
Also, take for example what BDog said after our game (no offense meant)..."we outplayed you guys in every phase of the game, except ST". That isn't accurate if you look at the stats from my eyes...yes they out rushed us, but we had a higher pass completion %, higher yds per pass play, and more yards per completion...we had less passing yards due to less attempts. He also had 6 team penalties versus 1 for us. So his takeaway is he out played us...my takeaway wasn't the same. He has a solid team however and I take nothing away from them. All those other "intangible" skill traits come into effect at some point as well, not just speed.
Outside of one or two games a season, I feel my team can compete with and/or beat, any team...it isn't because I have the best players necessarily, its how they are used within my game plan. My team has gone through phases based on personnel groups. For example, I used to be a big sweep running team when I had guards and tackles that could pull and a stud running back...now that's rare because my O-line, while good, are slow as molasses. This is the most pass heavy an offense I have ever ran since MFN-1 was created...but that is based on my QB and my receiving corps now.
On my entire offense, I have 2 90+ rated players out of 24 offensive players...my #1 WR and my #1 RG (both out with injuries right now)....I have 1 80+ plus rated WR and my two main RBs aren't even rated over 80. However, I have 2 1000+ yard rushers this season and 2 1000+ yd WRs. I don't say any of that to brag, just to illustrate my point about what constitutes an equally matched team. (Think Demarco Murray this year in Philly...good player in bad system for him)
This game isn't just about putting the highest rated players on the field (yes, of course they help), game planning and the offensive/defensive style are huge parts as well. Not to mention, managing your depth charts on special teams are important as well. Having the right gunners and blockers in there is important too.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to add my thoughts to this topic.
