Football games are most often decided by open-field or broken plays like those on big plays, special teams, and returns after turnovers. This game epitomized that, and the Football ERA essentially doesn't calculate for these type of plays; and, therefore is not an ultimate predictor of outcomes. (I'd be in Vegas if it were...). In this vein, open-field plays could be viewed loosely as "unearned runs" with respect to the Football ERA--not, to quote Seinfeld, that there is anything wrong with that. In fact, most would look at the turnover column after games as a predictor of who won in many instances.
Teams do practice, however, to try and establish the line of scrimmage and ultimately put pressure on the defense and break big plays....as do defenses try to break an offense with defensive pressure. The Football ERA trys to give insight into this aspect of a team's performance so that we may judge a team's prowess not just on final scores and win/loss records.
Close spreads in the final calculation of the Football ERA indicate even matchups and not winners---as was the case in this game. Just by looking at the Game Breakdown from the Game by Game results shows that New Orleans both attempted to establish the run and apply defensive pressure. Whereas the Saints drove the ball with some success, the Vikings were nearly equal to New Orleans in rushing and in applying defensive pressure as the game came down to final field goals.
Net Total Off=Rushing+Drives Def=Rushing+Pressure
NO … 435.396 … 285.55 = 182.25 + 103.3 … 149.846 = -14.375 + 164.221
Minn … 285.963 … 150.7 = 151.5 + -0.8 ...... 135.263 = 14.375 + 120.888
Under Head Coach Sean Payton, the New Orlean Saints have had its share of stability and continuity in its lineup. Much like the San Diego Chargers, however, they did not gain their edge in the winning games until the 2nd half of the season in 2007. Defensive consistency has been an issue, but so far this year, the Saints seem to be making strides as of late in getting a more balanced contribution from their defense as well as their offense. The league is very competitive, however, and wins are hard to come by whether it be a conference game or a divisional foe.
++++++++++New Orleans Saints++++++++++
The success of their offense can be tied to the starting offensive line the past two seasons, but that line was broken up by the loss of Center Jeff Faine to Tampa Bay in free agency. His replacement, OL Jonathan Goodwin, got plenty of valuable experience filling in when he was absent with injuries the past few seasons--and has been up to the challenge so far in 2008. The only other issues the Saints have faced on their line this season has been the absence of Guard Jamar Nesbit to suspension with Rookie Carl Nicks filling in for him in Weeks 4 and 5.
Another Rookie Sedrick Ellis was brought in to bolster the interior defensive line allowing DT Hollis Thomas to be released. DT Kedrick Clancy started alongside Ellis as Antwan Lake was not healthy enough to be in the rotation for at least a couple of their early season contests. Although LB Brian Simmons is no longer a Saint, free agent LB Jonathan Vilma was acquired from the New York Jets in the offseason. The Linebacking corps missed the contribution of OLB Scott Fujita early in the season due to injuries, but Rookie Jolonn Dunbar filled in for his absence. Changes, as usual, to the starting lineups from 2007 and/or previous weeks in 2008 are highlighted in Bold.
Defensive Front:
Scott Fujita Jonathan Vilma Scott Shanle
Charles Grant Kedrick Clancy Sedrick Ellis(R) Will Smith
Offensive Line:
Jammal
Brown Carl Nicks(R)Jonathan Goodwin Jahri Evans Jon Stinchcomb
Jamar Nesbit<-----LG first 3 Weeks
++++++++++Minnesota Vikings++++++++++
Whereas there were no major free agent losses to their starting fronts from 2007, they did make a splash by signing DE Jared Allen from Kansas City. He became a much needed acquisition as DE Kenechi Udeze, tragically, is battling Leukemia. Some have predicted good things for the Vikings this season but they're off to a slow start. In addition, DE Ray Edwards has battled injuries (replaced by Otis Grigsby in Week 4) as is MLB E.J. Henderson. Also, OT Bryant McKinnie was replaced in the first few weeks of the season by experienced veteran OT Artis Hicks due to League suspension.
Defensive Front:
Chad Greenway David Herron Ben Leber
Ray Edwards Pat Williams Kevin Williams Jared Allen
Offensive Line:
Bryant McKinnie Steve Hutchinson Matt Birk Anthony Herrera Ryan Cook
Artis Hicks<-----LT first 4 Weeks
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