Our run game compared to the Leagues Best and Worst

[4XPIPS]

Having one of the worst run games thus far this season, it's quite surprising we have a 500 record.

If we are just looking at total team stats, not individual players.

Bottom 7 Teams in Rush Attempts/Total Yards and the W/L record

Cowboys...........215/817 Losing Record 3-7
Raiders.............215/752 Losing Record 2-8
Browns.............224/885 Losing Record 2-8
Seahawks... 224/915 500 Record 5-5
Jets.................235/959 Losing Record 3-8
Panthers............239/1100 Losing Record 3-7
Jaguars.............246/1118 Losing. Record 2-9

Top 7 Teams in Rush Attempts/Total Yards and the W/L record

Eagles..............364/1813 Winning Record 8-2 (Div Leader)
Steelers............343/1367 Winning Record 8-2 (Div Leader)
Commanders......343/1628 Winning Record 7-4
Ravens.............338/1950 Winning Record 7-4
Lions...............323/1522 Winning Record 9-1 (Div Leader)
Saints..............312/1438 Losing Record 4-7
Texans.............309/1335 Winning Record 7-4 (Div Leader)

Bottom 7 Teams in rushing the ball on 1st down

Raiders.............38 attempts Losing Record 2-8
Jets.................50 attempts Losing Record 3-8
Cowboys...........50 attempts Losing Record 3-7
Seahawks...52 attempts 500 5-5
Bengals............53 attempts Losing Record 4-7
Browns............53 attempts Losing Record 2-8
Panthers..........57 attempts Losing Record 3-7

Top 7 Teams in rushing the ball on 1st down

Eagles..............102 attempts Winning Record 8-2 (Div Leader)
Commanders......95 attempts Winning Record 7-4
Ravens.............95 attempts Winning Record 7-4
Lions...............88 attempts Winning Record 9-1 (Div Leader)
Bills................88 attempts Winning Record 9-2 (Div Leader)
Cardinals..........86 attempts Winning Record 6-4 (Div Leader)
Saints .............83 attempts Losing Record 4-7

With the exception of the Saints, it proves to be a contender you need to run the ball, especially on 1st down. I knew our run game is pretty non existent, but if we can't find a way to fix the run game and make it respectable before this season is over, there is no chance we will go far even if we make the playoffs. I know the offensive line has been poor at best, but run blocking is something we should be trying get better at. We made midseason moves, but only for the defense. Not sure why we didn't try to bolster the o-line. However, I think Grubb get's short pass happy at times, and when we need a yard or even an inch, we get no push. Surprisingly we are tied for 7th in the league for Rushing TDs at 13, with the Eagles and Commanders both tied at 19 TDs. However, they need to find a way to get the run game going on first down, and try to eek out 2 to 3 yards.

[NorthHawk]

In the past, if we made the playoffs it brought about the suggestion by the FO that we were only a player or two from really contending which got us nothing and continued the ignoring of the OL (or pass rush at the time). As your post shows it’s a real important part of success.

[Aseahawkfan]

How is our run defense? You're saying we have a terrible run game and likely a terrible run defense.

[NorthHawk]

I don’t have any numbers but it seems to me that the run defense has improved this year but maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part.

[4XPIPS]

In the past, if we made the playoffs it brought about the suggestion by the FO that we were only a player or two from really contending which got us nothing and continued the ignoring of the OL (or pass rush at the time). As your post shows it’s a real important part of success.

I couldn't agree more.

Considering what we have at hand, how do we get this running game going? Or is it officially what it is ? Should the Hawks force feed more runs on 1st downs, even if it nets 2 yards? Is Abe going to make a difference now he is is the line up?

[Aseahawkfan]

I don’t have any numbers but it seems to me that the run defense has improved this year but maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part.

Looks like 138.6 yards per game. Around 26th in the league. I guess slight improvement over 30th or or worse.

[NorthHawk]

Considering what we have at hand, how do we get this running game going? Or is it officially what it is ? Should the Hawks force feed more runs on 1st downs, even if it nets 2 yards? Is Abe going to make a difference now he is is the line up?

I think we’re stuck with what we have for this year. Effective change has to be accomplished in the off season with select FA(s) and draft picks. No more setting for the last of the castoffs/players in their last year and hoping for the best.

[River Dog]

With the exception of the Saints, it proves to be a contender you need to run the ball, especially on 1st down. I knew our run game is pretty non existent, but if we can't find a way to fix the run game and make it respectable before this season is over, there is no chance we will go far even if we make the playoffs. I know the offensive line has been poor at best, but run blocking is something we should be trying get better at. We made midseason moves, but only for the defense. Not sure why we didn't try to bolster the o-line. However, I think Grubb get's short pass happy at times, and when we need a yard or even an inch, we get no push. Surprisingly we are tied for 7th in the league for Rushing TDs at 13, with the Eagles and Commanders both tied at 19 TDs. However, they need to find a way to get the run game going on first down, and try to eek out 2 to 3 yards.

Nice work, PIPS!

I don't doubt that there's a relationship between the run game and w/l record as I don't think it a mere coincidence that teams that can't or won't run end up losing more games than they win. But just how much of a relationship is highly debatable as there are other factors that can enter into the equation.

For example, the number of rushing attempts and rushing yards a team has can be misleading. A team with a poor defense, particularly a poor rushing defense, is going to have fewer rushing attempts and thus fewer rushing yards.

Take the Alice, for example (there's no "D" in "Dallas"). Yes, they have a horrid rushing game, fewest rushing attempts and 2nd fewest rushing yards per game. But they also have a very porous rushing defense, ranked 31st. That means that their offense is getting denied attempts, as a team with a good rushing attack is going to have more TOP and the games will move along faster in general. And with such a poor defense...the 'pukes are ranked 31st in the league in points defense...it means that the Cowboys are likely to be playing from behind a lot, meaning that the game situation dictates that they throw the ball in order to catch up.

So, it's a little too simplistic to say that the Cowboys, or any other team with a poor rushing offense, need to get better at running the ball or need to run the ball more on first down if they want to improve on their W/L record. They also have to get better at stopping the run and improve their defense in general.

[NorthHawk]

On the other hand, running the ball effectively keeps your porous run defense off the field. So it can be a large benefit to win possibility.

[River Dog]

On the other hand, running the ball effectively keeps your porous run defense off the field. So it can be a large benefit to win possibility.

Absolutely. The point is that there's a lot of factors that can enter into the equation.