First Downs Don’t Equal Success In The NFC

What NFC teams have the most first downs in 2011?  An intelligent answer would be one of the NFC Division contenders, like the Green Bay Packers (7-0), San Francisco 49ers (6-1), Detroit Lions (6-2) or New York Giants (5-2). But in fact, none of them are in the top 3 NFC teams with the most first downs heading into Week 9 of the NFL season.

The top 3 NFC teams with the most first downs are the New Orleans Saints (5-3), Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) and the Carolina Panthers (2-6). The Saints have accumulated 202 first downs so far in 2011, 51 rushing and 140 passing.  The Eagles are next with 170 first downs, 74 on the ground and 92 in the air.  Surprising, the Carolina Panthers have the third most first downs in the NFC with a total of 177, 65 rushing and 99 passing.

The Saints also hold the distinction of leading the NFC in 3rd down efficiency, successfully converting a 1st down 56.3% of the time.

Unfortunately, the AFC doesn’t follow this first down trend. Top AFC Division contenders hold the top 3 spots for having the most first downs.  The New England Patriots (5-2) have 180 first downs, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) with 172. The Houston Texans (5-3), round out the top three with 171 first downs.

Is there anything to take away from the first down statistics above?  Not really, except one.  More than double the first downs were made passing than rushing in both the NFC and AFC.

The AFC has a total of 4460 first downs, 1350 rushing and 2694 passing.  The NFC has a total of 4658 first downs, 1400 on the ground and 2876 in the air.

So much for statistics!

source: New York Daily News City Final – print Nov 3, 2011