I'm sure in passing, you've heard the vintage conundrum- 'Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Years of argument and theory regarding the National Football League recipe obtaining world titles have always began with the default admission, 'Defense wins Titles'.
As we progress in to the third decade of the millennium, there are analysts sprouting in many media outlets challenging the status quo theory. Spurts of sports media platforms across the nation are beginning to dismiss this absolute theory, challenging what exactly is the formula concocted by franchises leading to world titles? A new theory has hit center stage, that it's the offense on display that will duke it out for the trophy. Decades have progressed where there was ne'r a challenge of the original theory of a team's defense being the formula to winning.
Sports analysts are challenging the antiquated default argument. Are they accurate with their argument? Taking closer look at the most explosive football game in 2018 NFL season between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, as well as viewing the performances throughout current playoff season, Defense (with an effervescent and dynamic defense coordinator who knows how to adjust and expose unknowing offenses) lead to titles.
On Monday Night Football November 19, 2018 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, there were 14 touchdowns scored between both teams. Three of those touchdowns were scored by Defense on turnovers, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. The team that ultimately came out on top, the Los Angeles Rams, had two of those defense scores. The result of this one game ignited the sports airwaves touting a transition away from the value of defense segwaying to offense firepower as the must haves to acquire the Lombardi Trophy. Yet, as the remaining NFL season played out, there were only two other offensive powerhouse offerings to add. Surprisingly, they featured the teams now playing to go to the Super Bowl. New England beat Kansas City in week 6 of the regular season, 43-40; and the New Orleans Saints beat the Los Angeles Rams in week 9 45-35.
Another supposed argument siding with the offensive minded, is the most dominating offensive player in the millennium, New England quarterback, Tom Brady. Regardless of receiving core suiting up, year-in-and-year-out, Brady is the most precise and prolific offensive weapon. He is New England's Trojan horse, as well. New England's offensive versatility often sidetracks analysts and opposing defensive coordinators. Two factors regarding New England's success overlooked by the masses are their sneaky running game, and its diverse defensive planning between head coach Bill Belichick and his various defense coordinators (Brian Flores has taken over this year from parting DC master, Matt Patricia).
Viewing five various sports sites ranking NFL defenses in 2018, not one had the New England Patriots in their top five (most placing them between 7th and 18th ). Yet, the New England defense literally shut down a powerhouse offense in Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers. In the first half of the AFC Championship game, New England defense shut down Kansas City from scoring. You may refute that Patriots allowed Mahomes and Kansas City back in game, as they did come out and score 31 points in the second half, which was whole heartedly disappointing. To advise, Kansas City defense did have a winning game interception, if it weren't for a neutral zone line up infraction made; thus, a defense play made to secure a victory moving towards a title. Alas, New England overcame fiascos to prove again, that behind that precise multi – option offense machine, is a defense that allows them opportunity to overtake time of possession and patiently maneuver down past all the hash marks in to the end zone.
In Sunday's earlier championship game, Los Angeles Rams displayed an expected top ranked defense performance stopping one of the most prolific offenses for the past decade lead by Drew Brees for the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans averaged 31 points this past 2018 season in scoring. During the regular season, the New Orleans Saints beat Los Angeles Rams 45 to 35. Needless to say, defense was suspect in the earlier regular season encounter. Los Angeles defense coordinator Wade Phillips knew going in to the NFC Championship game, he had to come up with a score stopping strategy if the Rams had any chance of winning in a hostile high octane scoring environment in New Orleans. The defensive line, the pass-rush all- pro duo of Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh set out the game plan and came up big. The Rams defense held Drew Brees and Saints offense (drawn up by one of the better offensive minds in Sean Payton) to 23 points.
As we head in to Super Bowl 53 between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots, offense will show up on both sides to place points on the board. Don't be fooled by the rushes, catches and flinging passes athletically nabbed out of the gridiron air; a championship will be secured by the defense showing up stalling and denying progress in their opponent's forward scoring scheme.
No comments:
Post a Comment