Stops

I can make it so complicated sometimes with the NERDstat posts. I'm trying to write from a "let me put this in plain English" place, but then I get lost in Success Rate and Havoc. So let me make this one very simple.

We can't get stops.

That's an actual stat, you know. Stop Rate. Max Olson writes about it at ESPN every week. Here's the definition he uses:

What is stop rate? It's a basic measurement of success: the percentage of a defense's drives that end in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs. Defensive coordinators have the same goal regardless of their scheme, opponent or conference: prevent points and get off the field. Stop rate is a simple metric but can offer a good reflection of a defense's effectiveness on a per-drive basis in today's faster-tempo game.

Ready to hear where we stood before this game? Probably not? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway: