In the stat graphic above (upper left) the Pats' season sack performance is pictured. The standout game was the -14-point New England loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Four sacks is a bit much. The Post Game stat analysis shows the 4 heavy hits on QB Brady cost 13.4 PPG in the scoring differential.
So this one stat fully accounted for the loss.
By comparison, the Eagles' D layed on opposing QBs heavier than a mortgage with 5 sacks in four games and won all four (upper right).
With the Patriots on DEFENSE (lower left) the one game they failed to sack the opposing QB was lost to the Steelers.
And the Eagles' OFFENSE (lower right) lost 2 of 3 games when they were weaker than league average (PIT and CIN).
Moral: Pay more attention to the QB sack. It's a Killer Stat.
Bud Goode
Copyright 2005, BudGoodeSports.com. All rights reserved.
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