Defensive Touchdowns = Wins
January 23rd, 2023
Key stat for Bucs.
Very, very interesting intel Joe stumbled across.
Joe found out that a veteran NFL writer who is so good that even Bill Belicheat uses him as a source of information, Rick Gosselin, formerly of the Kansas City Star and the Dallas Morning News, has his own website where he now posts his articles, RickGosselin.com.
Gosselin is probably best known for his annual mock drafts when he was a beat reporter (that’s all that needs to be published, more than one mock draft per person is just trolling and clickbait) and his special teams rankings.
In an article about defensive touchdowns, Gosselin broke down teams their results after pick-sixes and scoops-and-scores.
Joe is beyond worn out by how defensive coaches seem to only care about takeaways. Joe really, really, really wishes coaches would spend as much time on fundamentals like tackling as they do on takeaways.
However, Joe is seeing a little more light on takeaways. Simply put, defensive touchdowns = victories.
There were 58 defensive touchdowns this season. Teams scoring them posted a combined 45-13 record. … Interestingly, there were 19 fumbles returned for defensive touchdowns and the team scoring them won 18 of the games.
The scoop-and-score stat is absolutely wild. In 2022, a fumble recovery that was housed was virtually a guaranteed win.
So how did the Bucs do on defensive touchdowns? Not good. The Bucs had one defensive touchdown all year — uno! — and that came in Week 2 when Mike Edwards had an 86-yard pick-six.
The Bucs won 20-10.
So Joe is beginning to understand why defensive coaches have such a fetish for takeaways. Joe’s not fully sold, however. Aside from a scoop-and-score, Joe is content with an open-field tackle for loss that forces a punt over a dude trying to punch the ball out and instead getting dragged for a first down.
January 23rd, 2023 at 5:49 am
Defense wins championships! It’s a saying for a reason.
Oh, by the way, the run-game is not dead! See how Cincinnati and SF closed games?!
January 23rd, 2023 at 6:14 am
here is my take on takeaways. We didn’t have enough oft hem this year. They are best when the the offense turns them into 7 points. We didn’t do enough of
that either,IMO.
January 23rd, 2023 at 6:28 am
It’s been true since he was drafted: when Mike Edwards scores, the Bucs are undefeated. Let’s hope that he can stay on the field.
January 23rd, 2023 at 7:27 am
Takeaways are the result of a good pass rush. Which I think we all agree is key to winning.
Did you know the Eagles had 70 sacks? 70!
January 23rd, 2023 at 7:48 am
Offensive wins championships 10 playoff teams offense was higher than the Bucs. Where the Bucs had the 4th best defense in the playoffs and got blown out because they could not score.
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:15 am
For a team that preached the importance of take aways, when the opportunity came, we sure weren’t ready.
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:17 am
OL and running the ball effectively and efficiently wins championships. You don’t need a great defense, just a good one that can create turnovers.
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:18 am
Defensive TD’s have ALWAYS given the most momentum swing in a football game. There is no way to predict them, and despite emphasis and practice on achieving them, they rarely happen.
As Joe correctly pointed, a good tackling team doesn’t have to “hope” for a pick-6; indeed, they just stop the other team consistently negating the need for a miracle.
By the eye test, this Bucs D were not very good tacklers this year…and really, for a few years now. It’s almost as if the DC and defensive coaches don’t even practice tackling when allowed by the NFL practice and hitting rules. Or, maybe they OVER-practice, if we believe Beasley?
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:22 am
@Allbuccedup,
Bucs got blown out by the Cowboys because the D was porous (to put it mildly) and could NOT stop them from scoring, and our O was just as pathetic.
The only thing the Bucs D took away from them Boys is psyching out their kicker. Great job, D!!! LOL.
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:24 am
Good coaching wins championships.
Bad coaching gives you the 2022 Yucs.
I’m with Joe – teach tackling. The takeaways will come from good tackling.
Toad the Incontinent Bowels. What a bonzo on.
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:31 am
It’s pretty simple why forced turnovers are better than just making a tackle and it’s possession of the ball. Like the Green Bay game this past year, after the Packers took a 14 point lead, at the midway point of the 2nd quarter our defense got them the ball back on 6 consecutive GB drives over 2 qtrs, our offense managed 3 points off 6 post defensive stop drives. Also, w/o that one TD against New Orleans, there was a solid chance we dropped that game to the Saints. Yes make the tackle, but also try your best to get the ball back to our offense that averaged less points than our defense allowed for the first 13 weeks of the season lol
January 23rd, 2023 at 8:48 am
There’s one way for sure to keep The GOAT. Finish firing coaches. If Bowels is still there he won’t stay. Management has got to realize their WOKE ” progressive ” experiment failed. Sean Payton is available.
January 23rd, 2023 at 9:16 am
so… touchdowns help you win? I had kinda figured that one out on my own thanks.
Not as useful a metric as it may seem. Find me the team that is great at causing turnovers for touchdowns but bad at defending touchdowns. My guess is take the net of those it’s going to wash out pretty evenly with the converse.
January 24th, 2023 at 12:54 am
Todd Bowles is a good coach, we just need a serviceable offense and some help on defense plus a healthy Shaq Barrett
January 24th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
YES that is why our defense was not that great. As herm Edward’s says you play to win the game. Turnovers do not happen by accident. They are thru pressure and setups. We had none. Defense was not creative enough to force turnovers when our line play was not dominant.