Two key factors for winning in the NFL are limiting turnovers and converting in the Red Zone. Both have been improving during the Ravens current four game win streak.
Over the last four games the offense has converted at a rate of 57.7% and now has its highest league ranking in months. Joe Flacco has thrown five TDs compared to only two interceptions and Ray Rice has four rushing touchdowns. It’s clear the recent increase in efficiency ads up to wins, but which stats really comprise the winning formula for the Ravens in 2011?
The biggest indicator for a Ravens win is when Ray Rice has a rushing touchdown; they are 7-0 in those games. When the team commits less than two turnovers they are 6-0 and 0-3 when they have two or more. The Ravens are 5-0 when Joe Flacco has no interceptions and 3-3 when Ray Rice does not run for a score.
Now the Ravens face a dangerous Chargers team that finds its offense peaking at a critical time and coming off a 37-10 win over Buffalo. Recent history does bode well as the Ravens have gone 6-4 in west coast road trips since the 2000 season.
|
Category |
2010 (rank) |
2011 to date |
2011 Ranking |
Difference |
|
Pts / Gm |
22.3 (16) |
24.6 |
9th |
|
|
Tot Pts |
357 (16) |
320 |
9th |
|
|
Yds / Gm |
322.9 (22) |
346.0 |
14th |
|
|
Rush Yds/Gm |
114.4 (14) |
117.2 |
13th |
|
|
Pass Yds/Gm |
208.4 (20) |
228.8 |
15th |
|
|
1st downs/Gm |
18.9 (18) |
20.2 |
13th |
|
|
3rd Down Pct. |
39% (T-16) |
42% |
8th |
|
|
4th Down Pct. |
40% (T-21) |
57% |
T-9th |
|
|
Penalties |
90 (T-18) |
77 |
22nd |
|
|
TOP/Gm |
31:20 (11) |
30:55 |
10th |
|
|
Fumbles |
22 (T-17) |
22 |
T-4th |
|
|
Fumbles Lost |
10 (T-17) |
12 |
T-2nd |
|
|
Turnovers |
+7 (9) |
+3 |
12th |
|
|
Red Zone % |
49.2% (22) |
48.9% |
19th |
|
|
Flacco QB Rating |
93.6 (7) |
79.9 |
21st |
|
Remaining Strength of Schedule for AFC teams in the Playoff Race
|
Team |
Remaining Opponents Combined Record |
Winning Pct. |
|
Texans |
11 – 28 |
.282 |
|
Titans |
14 – 25 |
.359 |
|
Jets |
16 – 23 |
.410 |
|
Steelers |
16 – 23 |
.410 |
|
Patriots |
17 – 22 |
.436 |
|
Ravens |
17 – 22 |
.436 |
|
Bengals |
18 – 21 |
.461 |
|
Raiders |
19 – 20 |
.487 |
|
Broncos |
20 – 19 |
.513 |
|
Chargers |
25 – 14 |
.641 |
Red Zone Conversion Rate for Teams with a Winning Record
|
Team |
2011 Red zone % |
2010 Red zone % |
|
1. NY Jets |
71.8% |
44.3% |
|
2. Tennessee |
65.5% |
58.1% |
|
3. New England |
63.2% |
61.9% |
|
4. Green Bay |
61.4% |
62.7% |
|
5. NY Giants |
60.5% |
57.4% |
|
6. Detroit |
57.8% |
64.4% |
|
7. Atlanta |
56.5% |
60.7% |
|
8. Oakland |
55.0% |
52.1% |
|
9. Chicago |
54.5% |
49.1% |
|
10. New Orleans |
53.4% |
51.5% |
|
11. Pittsburgh |
52.3% |
52.5% |
|
12. Houston |
49.0% |
62.3% |
|
13. Ravens |
48.9% |
49.2% |
|
14. Cincinnati |
48.7% |
49.1% |
|
15. Denver |
46.4% |
55.8% |
|
16. Dallas |
46.3% |
59.6% |
|
17. San Francisco |
35.7% |
47.6% |
BTN will track the progress here on a weekly basis. Keep in mind for some categories a decrease is positive, as in the case of Fumbles lost, and an increase is negative, in as the case of Penalties.
