Things That Make You Go, Hmm? - Part 2

Continuing on the tradition from Part 1...

In 17 games the Titans were flagged on offense and defense a league LOW 76 times, for 4.47 flags per game. While visiting Foxboro for the divisional, 10 times totaling 62 yards, while the Pats 4-37. Hmm.

More than double the Titans norm? Perhaps all that have an audience with the great OZ at the Razor's EDGE, quake in their boots? Remember, the Titans were zebra ordained in their advancing over the KC Chefs, to face the Patriots. Said Chefs had handily beaten the Minutemen in Foxboro Wk1. Hmm. But I digress...

In 18 games the Jaguars were flagged for defensive pass interference, drum roll please... only seven times for 59 yards. In addition, the Jags were flagged a league LOW three times all year for defensive holding. Well behaved? Hmm.

The interference call ratio is 0.388 per game. Thus in the same game, being flagged twice for pass interference totaling 68 yards, more yards than the entire season, with said laundry producing two TD's altering the final result, is quite interesting indeed. Hmm. 

In Sunday's Championship game, the Jags were flagged a total of six times for 98 yards, while the Pats 1 - 10 yards. How rare is it to get flagged 1 time or less in an NFL game?  

Since the merger, in 22914 games played, 542 times or 2.4% of the time.  The #2 all time beneficiary with 31 such games? And 16 of those games occurring since 2001? Alex, what are the Patriots? Hmm.

During the playoffs? Out of 954 games played, 47 times or 4.9% of the time. A doubling during the playoffs?  The #2 all time beneficiary with 5 such games? And winning all 5?  Alex, what are the Patriots? Hmm.

Through 18 games, the Patriots were a huge beneficiary of Zebra munificence: #1 via defensive holding (17 for 83 yds) and #5 via defensive pass interference (14 for 355 yds). 

Hmm. Is this benefit due to the Patriots blinding fast receivers or the unique routes they run?  Perhaps, this league official might comment on the above observations?

 

With 65% of the public at a 1.5 ratio (highest this week) all over the Minutemen, huge amounts of "smart money" on the Jags has moved the line in contrarian fashion from -10.5 (Sportbet) down to seeming bargain -7.
With 65% of public spread money going on the Pats, and even larger sums bet on the Jags money line requiring a straight up win, I guess all the above can just be filed under...

 



In the meantime, due to extenuating circumstances, one must contemplate how the thrice dog Beagle's opposition has arrived in the NFL showcase for a tenth time. Hmm.

In the historical single flag game stats above, the doubling of occurrence (games with fewer penalties) during playoffs can be construed as, more disciplined teams commit fewer penalties, improving their chances of being a better team and advancing to the playoffs. Also during the playoff, officials have been known to call less ticky tack infractions and "let em play".

If anyone noticed, the all time #1 beneficiary are the Miami Dolphins, with 38 such games, 33 of which were during Don Shula's 1970 - 1995 tenure. In those 25 years under Coach Shula, 16 playoff appearances, 17-14 record, five Super Bowls, winning two.

In the ensuing 22 years under 10 different coaching regimes, 7 playoff appearances, 3-6 record, no Super Bowls. Hmm.


No sir Mr. Bossman, what we've got here is not failure to communicate, but in PART, a by-product of good coaching and he who makes fewer mistakes wins.

Unfortunately, there is another toxic by-product which is part and parcel, and something ingrained in human nature. That and more interesting things to Hmm, in the conclusion of Things That Make You Go, Hmm? - Part 3.

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