Benchmark Report: East Title Edition

Here is the benchmark data for Friday's game in Buffalo.

A few notes.

First, and perhaps the key element, BG only gave up 2 negative pass plays...1 INT and 1 sack.  This had been one of the biggest issues for BG in previous games, and it was a huge difference.

Note, also, the impact of the big passing plays on the yards per reception.  UB was pressuring the line and against the run and BG had to go over the top and they did...effectively.

BG's completion percentage was not where they are used to having it, but again, the lack of negative plays and the big yards allowed the team to make up for it.

UB was made into a running team, with over 70% of its plays passing.  The reason?  Even sack adjusted, UB's rushing was not effective.

There are two ways to have a good defensive performance.  One is to bend but not break--making big third down and red zone plays.  The other is to be hard to move the ball against.  BG certainly achieved the latter--and had good 3rd down numbers on top of it.

Buffalo held BG to just above MAC-average rushing....and that includes the really big running play by Matt Johnson.  Still, the Falcons found a way to create production.

So