@tiamat63 said:

I think total tackles broken down over a quarter by quarter look would be much better.   Shows how much the defense is on the field thus the plays the opposing offense is running vs the first half - I.E. wearing out the defense.

That or perhaps tackles per drive. We also played an overtime period so that will lead to more tackles. So its not an accurate measure, PPG and yards are far more important in my opinion.

@calfoxwc said:

I agree ... but looking at the stats,

The Browns have the #2 amount of sacks by one, they have the #1 yards lost for sacking, the second most passes defended, the most ints, (tied with Cncy and Tenn.), the Browns are #1 in Forced Fumbles, #1 in Fumbles Recovered, .... I'd say that puts them about the #2 ranking.

and, NOTE: the two offenses the Browns defense faced... the pukes and the Saints - bigtime offenses in recent years.

Yerp...I put more credence in the sacks/yards lost, passes defended, ints, forced fumble and recoveries.  Those I like to see, not just "tackles".

@calfoxwc said:

Number two - in the NFL - I'll take it. Running on all cylinders

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/defense

Any D that has Arizona at the top couldn't possibly we #1.  Got pummeled in both games by a large margin.  But I do agree that our D is somewhere near the top overall. 

@tiamat63 said:

As a stand alone stat? Correct.  Taken in context... it sheds some light.  

^^^

that context business sure is hangup with some folks here and maybe at another place too, isn't it? lols

@the-gipper said:

I don't think "Total Tackles" is by any means a decent measure by which to measure a defense.  That, to me, simply means that they have had to make more tackles than anyone else because they are not stopping the other team.  "Fewest tackles" I think would actually be better....because that would mean that a defense is making a lot of 3 and out stops and giving the ball back to the offense.

No, look more at a combination of yards allowed, points allowed and  turnovers.   

If you post THOSE numbers, I think the Browns defense will still be near the top somewhere.

I agree ... but looking at the stats,

The Browns have the #2 amount of sacks by one, they have the #1 yards lost for sacking, the second most passes defended, the most ints, (tied with Cncy and Tenn.), the Browns are #1 in Forced Fumbles, #1 in Fumbles Recovered, .... I'd say that puts them about the #2 ranking.

and, NOTE: the two offenses the Browns defense faced... the pukes and the Saints - bigtime offenses in recent years.

@tour2ma said:

Total tackles says to me, "your opponents are running a lot of plays."

Yes or maybe your offense isn't controlling the clock? (but has to be better than 2017)

@tour2ma said:

Total tackles says to me, "your opponents are running a lot of plays."

NSS, see post #2.

@tour2ma said:

Total tackles says to me, "your opponents are running a lot of plays."

I think total tackles broken down over a quarter by quarter look would be much better.   Shows how much the defense is on the field thus the plays the opposing offense is running vs the first half - I.E. wearing out the defense.

@the-gipper said:

A LOT less than the other, more meaningful stats do.

YPA

YPG

PPG

TOs  

etc.

Never argued that.  

@tiamat63 said:

As a stand alone stat? Correct.  Taken in context... it sheds some light.  

A LOT less than the other, more meaningful stats do.

YPA

YPG

PPG

TOs  

etc.

@the-gipper said:

Every single play results in a tackle, unless the other team scores a TD.  But those tackles can be made behind the LOS....or 20/40/60 yards downfield. So, again, it tells you nothing about the quality of a defense. 

As a stand alone stat? Correct.  Taken in context... it sheds some light.  

@tiamat63 said:

When your offense is putting you on the field more often than expected, total tackles means at least you're securing the ball carrier.  

Every single play results in a tackle, unless the other team scores a TD.  But those tackles can be made behind the LOS....or 20/40/60 yards downfield. So, again, it tells you nothing about the quality of a defense. 

@the-gipper said:

I don't think "Total Tackles" is by any means a decent measure by which to measure a defense.  That, to me, simply means that they have had to make more tackles than anyone else because they are not stopping the other team.  "Fewest tackles" I think would actually be better....because that would mean that a defense is making a lot of 3 and out stops and giving the ball back to the offense.

No, look more at a combination of yards allowed, points allowed and  turnovers.   

If you post THOSE numbers, I think the Browns defense will still be near the top somewhere.

When your offense is putting you on the field more often than expected, total tackles means at least you're securing the ball carrier.  

@calfoxwc said:

Number two - in the NFL - I'll take it. Running on all cylinders

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/defense

I don't think "Total Tackles" is by any means a decent measure by which to measure a defense.  That, to me, simply means that they have had to make more tackles than anyone else because they are not stopping the other team.  "Fewest tackles" I think would actually be better....because that would mean that a defense is making a lot of 3 and out stops and giving the ball back to the offense.

No, look more at a combination of yards allowed, points allowed and  turnovers.   

If you post THOSE numbers, I think the Browns defense will still be near the top somewhere.