Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

I knew these teams were fairly equally matched. I wanted to know if there were any glaring differences? I wanted to see how they compared by the numbers. I know that numbers don't tell the whole story, but it was a fun exercise nonetheless. Here is the comparison so far:

QUARTERBACK.............ATT......COMP......PCT........YDS......AVG......YDS/G......LONG
Drew Brees.................439.......300.........68.3........3647.....8.3......317.3........69
Russell Wilson..............275.......176.........64........2362......8.6......198.3........80

QUARTERBACK.............TD......TD%......INT......INT%....SACK...YDSL
Drew Brees.................28.......6.4.........8........1.8.......23.......157
Russell Wilson..............19.......6.9.........6........2.2......29.......181

Summary: We pass more and, naturally, score many more TDs thru the air. Drew is more accurate and is intercepted less. Wilson is sacked a bit more.

OFFENSE Receiving
.........................NO.......SEA
Yards / Game.......331.5....227
YAC...................1627......1180
1st Downs...........168.......110
20+....................45.........40
TD......................28........20
Total Yards..........3647.....2497
Avg....................12.2.......13.6

Summary: One surprise here is our YAC which is substantially better. We make more first downs passing, they make more on the ground.

OFFENSE Rushing
.........................NO.......SEA
Yards / Game.......97.7.....147.9
1st Downs...........64........90
20+....................4.........10
TD......................7........11
Total Yards..........1075....1627
Avg.....................3.9......4.5

Summary: Not surprisingly run defense will be important. [*see Skittles] Total yards for air & ground: 4722 NO vs 4124.

DEFENSE
.........................NO.......SEA
Sacks.................37........33
Tackles for Loss....21........24
Sack Yards Lost....235......223
Interceptions........10........16
Pick 6 ..................0..........2
Yds on Intercep.....163......293
Forced Fumbles......15.......15
Recov. Fumbles.......7........10
Blocked Kicks..........0........1
Passes Defended.....50.......53
Yds Allowed..........305.4.....293.3
Pts. Allowed..........17.8.....16.3
Pass YDA.............198.0.....180.4
Run YDA..............111.9......112.9
Turnover Ratio.......+4..........+11
%3rd Down Conv.....34.3......37.8

Summary: This is where the numbers start getting interesting. They have 6 more interceptions than we do -- and massive yards off those interceptions. They are recovering a few more fumbles too. Interestingly, the Legion of Boom only has 3 more passes defended than we do. I would have thought that number would be worse. We have 4 more sacks and Wilson has been sacked 6 times more than Drew. Can you say Cam and Junyah?!!!

Also, our defense ranks 4th in % Third Downs Converted, while Seattle ranks 18th. And, the news is even better on 4th down. Hey, in this type game, it's the little things that matter.

Next up receiving and kicking game.....

Enjoy,
WHODATINCA

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Great work with the numbers.

Russell Wilson is getting sacked at an alarming rate of 9.5 %.

As a reference point, as badly as we think we have protected Brees this season, he has been sacked roughly half the time that Russell has, at a 5.0 % clip.

The bottom line to this game besides the obvious turnover battle comes down to the run game. Can we do what we did to San Francisco and Frank Gore (comparable run game to Seattle's) and make Seattle more one dimensional, pinning our ears back against a QB who has been sacked way too often? Secondly, can we continue our upward trend of running the ball successfully and help our play action hit some big shots downfield ("showtime")? Otherwise, we will be dinking and dunking which allows for more opportunities for an interception.

Last 3 games rushing for the Saints, our running backs only (trending):

Dallas......... 36-244, 6.8 avg
San Fran..... 20-90,. 4.5 avg
Atlanta....... 20-109, 5.5 avg

Total.......... 76-443, 5.8 avg

Teams have shown that the Seahawks are vulnerable to stopping the run, much like the Saints have been at various times throughout the season. Will Sean Payton go all in with a balanced attack, or does he get pass happy for a Monday Night nationally televised game ("showtime")?

A game plan like we had vs Chicago would serve us well and most certainly give us our best chance at victory.

Sean, you have a great defense, trust it. You can win a 20-17 type game. You just proved it against Atlanta.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Great work, fellas.

If it's 20-17, either way, for the last three minutes of this game, I won't live to see us win another Super Bowl.

:smile: :smile: :smile: <--- THREE Bayer Aspirins.

Alaska

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Key to the game is stoping Lynch from running all over us, if we do that and can score on offence, force Wilson to pass and Sack City comes to town. Make him see ghosts and win the game. I have a good feeling about this game. Geaux Saints!

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Now, for the receiver and kicking game comparison:

TOP RECEIVERS COMPARISON
NO...................REC....TAR.....YDS......AVG......TD......LONG.......20+
Jimmy Graham.....65......99......946......14.6......11.......56...........14
Marques Colsto....43......61......569......13.2......2........31...........9
Kenny Stills.........22......38......470......21.4......4........69...........5
Darren Sproles.....48......59......463......9.6........2........48...........5

NO........................YDS/G......FUM......FUML......YAC..........1DN
Jimmy Graham...........86...........0..........0..........275............46
Marques Colston........56.9........0..........0..........141............30
Kenny Stills...............42.7........0..........0..........124............18
Darren Sproles...........46.3........0..........0..........375............19

SEA........................REC......TAR.......YDS.......AVG.......TD.....LONG....20+
Golden Tate..............42.......67.........600.......14.3.......4.........80.......9
Doug Baldwin.............36.......50.........586.......16.3.......3.........51......12
Zach Miller................22.......34.........248.......11.3.......3.........34.......2
Jermaine Kearse.........13.......20.........246.......18.9.......4.........43.......5
Notable
Marshawn Lynch........24.......30..........222.......9.3........2..........55......3

SEA........................YDS/G....FUM....FUML.......YAC.......1DN
Golden Tate..............54.5.......0.........0...........380........26
Doug Baldwin.............53.3.......0.........0..........187.........26
Zach Miller................27.6.......0.........0...........77..........13
Jermaine Kearse.........22.4.......0.........0...........36...........9
Notable
Marshawn Lynch........20.2.......0..........0..........212..........8

Summary: Jimmy Graham is a monster. Nobody fumbles. Skittles and Tate need to be tackled immediately.

KICKING....................FIELD GOALS...............................EXTRA POINTS
NAME.......................FGM.....FGA.......PCT.....LONG........XPM........XPA........PCT
Garrett Hartley...........20........26........76.9......55...........35........35...........100
Steven Hauschka........24........25........96........53...........32........32............100

Summary: Garrett Hartley needs to get his mind right ( but we knew that ).

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

As far as the numbers are concerned, you've got to be a bit careful in using them to interpret who the Seahawks have been and who they are as a team right now. If you'd like to engage in some good pregame conversation from a guy who's followed this team for 30+ years and have questions about the Hawks and what you're likely to see on Sunday, come on over ...

http://blackandgold.com/nfl/62213-q-...hawks-fan.html

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Early line number: Saints +4

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

I believe our run defense is absolutely the key to this game.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Maybe, I think the key to this game is the ever obvious turnover battle.

Whoever wins the turnover battle wins this game.

Seattle leads the NFC in TO margin, so we have our work cut out for us.

I think if we played Seattle 10 times in a home & home, it would end up 5-5.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

DEFENSE wins this game.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

At least Seattle's physicality won't come as a shock...

We just won 3 games in 12 days.

11 days to rest and prepare is crucial.

No way in hell Pete Carrol is a better coach than Sean Payton.

I think we fool their defense and stymie their plans on offense.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

I will be a little more impressed with Carroll when I see something like 1) a ring, or 2) a post season appearance 3 out of 5 years or something that shows longevity or consistently top tier, not just a hot streak against weak teams. Seattle was not even a top 5 offense last year. Have to see him win something better than "Pac 10 Coach of the Year" before I declare him to be God's gift to coaching.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Seahawks Sacks / Turnovers / Special Teams -Def Scoring / Penalties analysis:

Totals / Average for Year
Sacks - Yards Lost: 30 - 193
Sacks Avg.: 2.72
YDs Lost Avg.: 17.5
Turnovers: 16
........Fumbles: 7
........Interceptions: 6
TD by Def or Special Teams TD: 6
Penalties: 88 - 1630
Avg. Penalties / Yds Lost: 8 - 148
Avg. Opponent 1st Down from Penalties: 2.3

Check out these stats from their last 4 games:

St. Louis
Sacks- Yards Lost: 7 - 48
Turnovers: 0
TD by Def or Special Teams TD: 1
Penalties: 10 - 83
Opponent 1st Down from Penalties:4

Tampa
Sacks- Yards Lost: 0 - 0
Turnovers: 3
Fumble: 1
Interceptions: 2
TD by Def or Special Teams TD: 0
Penalites: 6 - 67
Opponent 1st Down from Penalties:3

Atlanta
Sacks- Yards Lost: 1 - 8
Turnovers: 0
TD by Def or Special Teams TD: 0
Penalties: 9 - 80
Opponent 1st Down from Penalties: 4

Minnesota
Sacks- Yards Lost: 1 - 6
Turnovers: 0
TD by Def or Special Teams TD: 1
Penalties: 7 - 96
Opponent 1st Down from Penalties: 3

Summary: The Seahawks draw alot of penalities!!! If they give us 3-4 first downs off penalities = WE WIN. They cough the ball up very little. Even with a healthier O-Line, Wilson is still sackable and intercept-able.

Re: Saints - Seahawks: By the numbers
 

Drew can not throw any stupid INT in this game. ball protection is #1.