I always felt that statistics do not tell the whole story. I feel like following a crazy Week 9 which really exemplified
this point, it is the appropriate time to address the issue.
Just to be clear to
all the readers: I am NOT saying statistics are not a big part in measuring
legacies but the buck should not stop there. Lets dive into some prime examples
from Sunday:
Nick Foles joined
several elite clubs against the Raiders on Sunday. He became the seventh
quarterback in NFL history to throw for 7 touchdowns in a game. And what makes
it even more impressive is that he only needed a little over three quarters to
do it and did not throw an interception. It doesn’t stop there; he also posted
a perfect passer rating of 158.3, throwing for more touchdowns than
incompletions. All of this elite decoration is for a guy who came into this
season with a 1-5 record and now boasts a 3-6 career record. This is the same
guy who posted a 46.2 rating just two weeks ago while throwing for a total of
80 yards against Dallas. Last week, the question was “Should Chip Kelly draft a
QB for his offense?” This week the ESPN headline reads “Nick Foles had a major
breakthrough and the Eagles may have found their quarterback”. Really? 1 Sunday
against the Oakland Raiders makes him the answer? Stop it. One thing is
evident: In 70 years from 1943 to 2013 only 5 quarterbacks had ever thrown 7
touchdowns in a game. This season two quarterbacks have. Times have changed. It
is a passing league. It is easier to rack up big stats but it remains just as
hard to win games. That is why although stats play a part, winning matters
more. It is shown that since 2008, the team with the quarterback who posted the
higher QBR in a game won the game 84 percent of the time. This shows that
although winning is a team thing, quarterbacks have a lot to do with it.
Ben Roethlisberger
threw for 400 yards on Sunday and his team got demolished. On the flip side,
last week Tom Brady threw a grand total of 116 yards but won against the
Dolphins. Ask the two which situation they would rather be in and both will
answer the same: They will take the less gaudy stats for a W. That is why prior
to Sunday Big Ben said Brady was the best quarterback in the game. Because
regardless of stats, the man wins football games (he has the highest winning
percentage ever at .776).
Kansas City won
an ugly game against Buffalo despite the fact Buffalo outgained the Chiefs in
total yardage 470-210. Again, look at the statistics and Buffalo dominates. But
you look at the situations and circumstances and that is where Kansas City
takes over. Despite not leading the NFL in nearly any offensive categories,
Kansas City is the lone undefeated team. Once again big stats are not a telling
factor in wins.
Again, I want to
drive home the point I am not saying statistics don’t matter. But ask anybody
if they want to throw for 116 yards and win the game or do as Tony Romo did
against Denver and throw for 506 yards and lose? Anybody would pick the win. Statistics
with winning is ideal. Just winning without gaudy stats is acceptable. Racking
up stats in a losing effort is something nobody wants because it just doesn’t matter.
It is hard to win in the NFL on any given Sunday. Nobody has time for style
points.
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