Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Parity, Defense Rule

As a new year of playoff football unfolds in the NFL, the microscope is placed on the performance of the quarterback of each of the remaining teams. ESPN has dubbed 2011 “The Year of the Quarterback,” and there are four very impressive quarterbacks still alive this postseason.

However, as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears face the Green Bay Packers this weekend, it can be helpful to take a look at the regular season and notice how these teams have played themselves into these positions.

A main storyline during the NFL’s regular season was the development of parity throughout the league. Many football analysts would agree that this was due in large part to the increasing number of high-quality, young players and an influx of young quarterbacks.

Recent draft classes have produced the likes of Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman and Sam Bradford at quarterback. Each of these quarterbacks has sparked a significant turnaround for their respective franchises. In the cases of Flacco and Sanchez, they became the first two rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to win playoff games on the road. In fact, Sanchez led the New York Jets to two road wins in last year’s playoffs.

Draft classes of the last five years have also produced a high level of talent, which has fueled the league with not only great quarterbacks, but great all-around football players.

The combination of successful, young quarterbacks and established star quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers has leveled the playing field and put more of an emphasis on the development of the team as a whole.

The presence of parity this season can best be seen in teams that made the playoffs after missing the playoffs in 2009. Kansas City improved from 4-12 to 10-6 to win the AFC West. Pittsburgh improved from 9-7 to 12-4 to win the AFC North. Atlanta improved from 9-7 to 13-3 to win the NFC South. Finally, Seattle finished with a 7-9 record but improved on a 5-11 season to win the NFC West.

When you factor in that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants both finished at 10-6 and did not make the playoffs, it is quite clear that the NFL has developed great parity.

But contrast the regular season with the playoffs to this point, and another theme that has developed thus far is that a different brand of football is required to win in the postseason.

This season, the juxtaposition of the type of football that wins in the regular season (e.g. the Patriots, Colts, Falcons and Saints) and the type that wins in the postseason (the Steelers, Jets, Packers and Bears) is important to consider. The former teams had high-flying offenses and effective defenses that fared well during the regular season and have been dispatched, while the latter teams have both a star young quarterback and a dominant defense.

From an experience standpoint, the group of quarterbacks that has been eliminated already includes Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan; these four have a combined five titles to their names, but their lack of a dominant defense has hindered their ability to advance.

The group of quarterbacks on the winning side this postseason includes Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Sanchez, Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler. Only Roethlisberger has hoisted the Lombardi trophy, and he has accomplished this feat twice.

The difference for these teams has been a consistent, hard-nosed defense that pressures the quarterback, stops the run and forces turnovers. Looking at the end-of-season statistics shows that Pittsburgh, New York, Green Bay and Chicago were ranked second, third, fifth and ninth respectively in total yards allowed per game defensively.

It is no coincidence that these teams have had the most success in the playoffs, because their regular season dominance has carried over into winning performances in the playoffs. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Pittsburgh’s defense continues to lead in total defense with Green Bay, Chicago, and New York sitting at third, fourth and seventh thus far.

So, as ESPN promotes 2011 as “The Year of the Quarterback,” it seems that the old football adage rings true this postseason — defense wins championships. While quarterbacks may come up with some of the biggest plays to win the remaining playoff games, keep a close eye on which defenses impact this weekend’s title games.

Do not be surprised to see a turnover or a defensive touchdown that changes the game more than a great pass by a quarterback. That is the nature of the NFL playoffs — the defense wins the game, and the quarterback takes the lion’s share of the glory.

John Balkam is a sophomore in the McDonough School of Business. Thoughts of a Homegrown Hoya appears in every other Friday edition of Hoya Sports.

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Hoya

Your donation will support the student journalists of Georgetown University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The Hoya

Comments (0)

All The Hoya Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *