Telling Stats

Telling Stats from NFL.com:

Of the 9 teams that rushed for 2000 yards (125/game), six went to the playoffs, including the top five. (In sixth place was 11-5 New England.)

Of the 11 teams that passed for 3600 yards (225/game), five went to the playoffs.

Of the twelve teams with a passer rating of 85, six went to the playoffs and just one had a losing season; 4 of the top six made the playoffs.

Six of the top seven in total defense made the playoffs.

Seven of the top ten in rushing defense made the playoffs, including the top four.

The top three, and six of the top ten, in passing defense made the playoffs, but five were in the bottom half of the league.

Six of the top 9 in passer rating defense made the playoffs.


The Aikman Efficiency Ratings seem more effective in translating statistics to team success:

All 12 of the playoff teams were in the top 21, including 8 of the top 12

8 of top ten in defense made the playoffs.

In the combined rankings, the top 9 made the playoffs; only Arizone at #20 was out of the top 15.

Green Bay, which went 6-10, lost seven games by 4 points or less, and scored more points than they gave up, finished #13.

The Football Outsiders ranking is here. Green Bay is #16 and only Arizona is out of the top 14 (again, at 20). While the rankings are close to Aikman's Aikman seemed to have a more accurate picture. The Outsiders had 9-6-1 Philly #1 overall, compared to Aikman's 11-5 Ravens.