Ian Allan
As part of examining running backs, I like to look at how they do in short-yardage situations – rushing not only at the goal line but also on third and fourth downs, when the team needs to bang out 1 yard to keep a drive alive. (That’s the same kind of play as a 1-yard situation at the goal line – teams tend to use the same personnel package).
Below see the team totals for those kind of plays last year. The Panthers, Seahawks, Ravens and Broncos were the best on those plays last year. The worst teams were San Francisco, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Cleveland and Indianapolis.
Biggest surprises on this list: the Seahawks and Lions ranked in the top 5. With Detroit, I think they’re may be a garbage-time affect there – they were behind so often that maybe opponents weren’t really even trying against them on a lot of plays.
At the other end of the spectrum, I’m surprised that the Giants ranked in the bottom 6 on those plays. With big and seemingly unstoppable Brandon Jacobs pounding away, I would have thought they would have been in the top half dozen. Pittsburgh and Washington also ranked outside the top 20.
SHORT-YARDAGE RUSHING / TEAMS (2008)
Based on success rates when teams needed 1 yard to either score or keep a drive alive on a third or fourth down. These are all running plays.
Good No Pct
23 27 85.2 Carolina
22 26 84.6 Seattle
31 37 83.8 Baltimore
23 29 79.3 Denver
19 24 79.2 Detroit
22 28 78.6 San Diego
24 31 77.4 Atlanta
26 34 76.5 Minnesota
19 25 76.0 Oakland
25 33 75.8 Jacksonville
17 23 73.9 Miami
22 30 73.3 Tennessee
19 26 73.1 Dallas
27 37 73.0 Green Bay
30 42 71.4 Houston
16 23 69.6 Buffalo
27 39 69.2 Chicago
33 48 68.8 New England
22 32 68.8 Tampa Bay
13 19 68.4 NY Jets
31 46 67.4 New Orleans
16 24 66.7 Washington
17 26 65.4 Cincinnati
22 34 64.7 Pittsburgh
18 28 64.3 St. Louis
15 24 62.5 Arizona
23 37 62.2 NY Giants
25 43 58.1 Indianapolis
12 21 57.1 Cleveland
17 30 56.7 Kansas City
18 33 54.5 Philadelphia
12 23 52.2 San Francisco
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