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Super Bowl Matchups - Steelers vs Cardinals

This space continues to tout the importance of QB sacks. The impact of sacks and sack yardage decided last year's Super Bowl. The NY Giants pass D pounded Patriots' QB Brady dropping him 5 times. Count'em. This accumulated sack yardage cost the Patriots a huge 15 PPG in their loss.

And the Pats only lost by 3 points.

This stat analysis therefore suggests if there had been ONE LESS SACK the Pats would have won by 1 point.

Why is the QB Sack so important? Each stat contributes some POINT VALUE to the points scored on offense, allowed on defense and to the scoring difference (Winning Margin).

Last season the QB Sack was worth 3 1/2 points in the SCORING DIFFERENTIAL. This year it is worth about the same (- 3.25 points lost for each QB trapped behind the line).

How do the Steelers and Cardinals rank? The stat graphic below pictures the Cardinals and Steelers--check your favorite team to see where they stand relative to the Super Bowl contenders.

Opp QB Sacked

Percentile Chart

100=Stongest 50=Average 0=Weakest
Lines: Playoff Avg=61 SuperBowl Avg=74

Win Mrg Points Change

Winning Margin Points Change
Sorted by Points Change, 2007 to 2008

Rank	Team	Pctl	Stat Value	Points behind Leader	Win Mrg Pts Chg vs 2007	Games Won
1	DAL	100	3.69	0.00	2.62	9
2	PIT	84	3.19	1.62	3.03	12
3	PHI	78	3.00	2.22	2.42	9
4	MIN	71	2.81	2.83	1.41	10
5	TEN	69	2.75	3.03	0.81	13
6	NYG	65	2.63	3.43	-1.82	12
7	NYJ	63	2.56	3.63	2.42	9
8	MIA	61	2.50	3.84	2.02	11
9	CAR	55	2.31	4.44	2.83	12
10	SEA	51	2.19	4.85	-2.02	4
11	BAL	49	2.13	5.05	0.40	11
12	ATL	49	2.13	5.05	1.82	11
13	OAK	45	2.00	5.45	1.01	5
14	N E	43	1.94	5.65	-3.23	11
15	ARI	43	1.94	5.65	-1.01	9
16	STL	41	1.88	5.85	-0.20	2
17	IND	41	1.88	5.85	0.40	12
18	S F	41	1.88	5.85	-0.20	7
19	DET	41	1.88	5.85	-1.41	0
20	JAX	39	1.81	6.06	-1.62	5
21	T B	39	1.81	6.06	-0.81	9
22	CHI	37	1.75	6.26	-2.62	9
23	N O	37	1.75	6.26	-0.81	8
24	S D	37	1.75	6.26	-3.03	8
25	G B	35	1.69	6.46	-1.82	6
26	DEN	33	1.63	6.66	-1.41	8
27	HOU	31	1.56	6.86	-1.21	8
28	WAS	29	1.50	7.07	-1.82	8
29	BUF	29	1.50	7.07	-0.40	7
30	CIN	14	1.06	8.48	-1.01	4
31	CLE	14	1.06	8.48	-2.22	4
32	K C	0	0.63	9.89	-5.45	2

2008 Season, YTD through Week 17

In season 2007 Steelers ranked 13th on Opp QB Sacked at 2.25.
In season 2008 they ranked 2nd at 3.19, up 3.0 points per game on this one stat.
From 2007 to 2008 Steelers improved by 0.0 points per game on Winning Margin.

Ranked 1st in the AFC and 2nd in the NFL the Steelers have the advantage. With opponent QB's scattered across the squared ring like punched-out boxers, the Steeler D pass rush nailed opposing QBs 51 times (3.2 dumps per game).
The Arizona Cardinals did less well knocking down opposing QBs at the rate of 2 D sacks per contest.
On this one stat the difference in performance gives the Steelers a 3-point advantage. CLICK HERE for a stat graphic of the PRE GAME MATCHUPS.
Bud Goode
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