Even in the sf game the 49ers won because of their passing game at the end? Lets look at the super bowl teams over the last few years? Packers - crappy d not a great running game Pats - crappy d mediocre running game saint - crappy d mediocre running game Colts crappy d no running game cards crappy d no running game Pits - good d mediocre running game With the way the rules are set up I think a team should focus all its resources on a good passing game since that is all that seems to matter. The TE seems to be the new super position
The way the rules are going, the 2000s set the stage for passing to be the end-all-be-all of football. And defenses basically can't hit receivers or QBs anymore. So, yeah. Kinda.
It's kinda like the .45 vs. the 9mm...Do you want power at the compromise of firepower? Or firepower at the compromise of the other? - Both can be effective with quality ammo, just like in the NFL, you can have elite teams that run and defend go all the way or teams that has elite passing go all the way . ..Big and slow bullets versus small and fast Two schools of thought that can be effective ...just a preference to me. In the end, you need both
Colts had a great defense when they won, remember peyton choked like he always does in the postseason and they won in large part cause of defense. You are right about running game though, with the way it is you can control possession by passing now not needing to have a good run game.
I guess it depends on your definition of crappy. Last year, the two best scoring defenses were Pitt (#1) and Green Bay (#2). So yes, if #2 is crappy, then you're correct. In Pitt's SB year, they were the #1 defense, so is that just classified as "good" now? The Patriots in the 17-0 season had the #4 scoring defense. Saints & Colts defenses weren't great, but were above average in their SB years. Running games certainly are less important because there is so much short passing game these days that just replace the run.
Yes, the NFC won 15 straight Super Bowls to prove it. Only thing that saved the AFC was the salary cap, and our best coach since then learned his trade in the NFC. Running matters, but weirdly I don't think having a great running back matters as much as a decent one with a solid, cohesive line and a book with two full quarters worth of diverse running plays. Having non-crappy special teams is probably the most important thing, but I think it's a standardized enough routine and teams make enough talent and depth compromises on those squads that there's no risk of real disparity from one team to the next.
7 of the top 10 passing offenses in yards made the playoffs 5 of the top 10 rushing offenses in yards made the playoffs 0 of the top 10 passing offenses had a losing record 2 of the top 10 rushing offenses had a losing record (Saints and Eagles on both passing and rushing lists) Advantage to passing teams. Unofficially, without considering DEFENSE, there's a 20% better chance at success having a good passing team.
Defense still matters an enormous amount. The Ravens and the Niners are in the playoffs because of their defense. As far as running vs passing everything has been shifting towards the passing attack as far as rules changes and offensive philosophy goes. Teams are going to a short passing game to pick up the 4-6 yards on first down that the running game used to pick up. And since the passing game is more versatile in the area of the field it can attack and you can still grind out short yardage when you need it, obviously more teams will start switching to it. The flip side to that is that you have lots of quarterbacks in way over their head as far as directing an offense. I believe the Broncos showed that if you just shut it down offensively, run it between the tackles 50 times a game and let the other offense murder themselves with stupid mistakes, you can win a surprising amount of games - but not against the best teams. In college this is referred to as the "Bill Snyder".
Lets look at our SB teams: Rushing: Gaints: 32/32 NE: 20/32 Defense: Gaints: 25th ppg (27th Yards) NE: 15th ppg (31st Yards) Passing offense: NE: 2nd Gaints: 5th I think belichick realized the future is the passing game and specifically the TE. The TE in the modern NFL create the biggest mismatches. Too big for CBs too fast for linebackers. If I were building a team I would focus most of my effort on the qb and TE spots. I would also invest in my O line and receivers as with newer rules that is best path for long term success. If lebron decided to play football he would be the best player in the nfl. rob gronkowski is setting all kinds of records yet lebron is bigger, faster, stronger, can jump higher, is way more athletic in every way possible.
