Roster Breakdown
I spent a good amount of time working on this section, but unfortunately it was lost in an unavoidable accident (PSA: Remember to frequently save your work). To quickly rehash it though:
[Your team] significantly improved over the offseason by bringing in [draft picks/free agents] that are a perfect fit for this defense. Meanwhile, [your rival] continues to appear to have no idea what they're doing and will surely take a step back this season.
...but seriously just check out majesiu's article for this. He did a much better job of it than what I was working on anyway.
Power Rankings
10. Philadelphia Liberty
Passing
Completion % - 58.9% (8th)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.8 (5th)
QB Rating - 87.2 (6th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.49 (8th)
TFL % - 5.2% (8th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 44.4% (9th)
Turnover Rate - 1.5% (10th)
Sack Rate - 4.6% (8th)
Yards Per Play - 5.57 (8th)
Strength: No Big Plays Allowed
Weakness: No Big Plays Made
Summary: One area where Philadelphia did well was minimizing long plays. The Liberty had the third best yards per completion average in the league. However, they struggled in pretty much every other area, and just could not end drives - finishing 9th in 3rd down conversion rate and dead last in forcing turnovers - making this not really a "bend, but don't break" defense, but more "bend, and then keep bending" philosophy.
9. New Orleans Second Line
Passing
Completion % - 57.5% (5th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (8th)
QB Rating - 89.2 (8th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.34 (5th)
TFL % - 5.2% (7th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 42.5% (8th)
Turnover Rate - 1.8% (5th)
Sack Rate - 4.2% (9th)
Yards Per Play - 5.64 (9th)
Strength: Run Defense
Weakness: Pass Defense
Summary: Although these ranking are indeed definitive, numbers 5-9 could really be put in any order. Overall, New Orleans wasn't great, but did hold their own is certain areas, including stopping the run. Adding first overall pick Bjorn Ironside could help to improve a defensive line that struggled getting into the backfield.
8. Colorado Yeti
Passing
Completion % - 61.0% (10th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (10th)
QB Rating - 85.4 (5th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.67 (10th)
TFL % - 7.5% (4th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 44.5% (10th)
Turnover Rate - 2.5% (1st)
Sack Rate - 3.8% (10th)
Yards Per Play - 5.78 (10th)
Strength: Turnovers
Weakness: Run Defense
Summary: So why is the team that finished last in most significant defensive categories not ranked last in these power rankings, you ask? I'm sorry, I can't hear you over all these yeti noises. Colorado had a lot of problems last season, but forcing turnovers was definitely not one of them. However, the Yeti are actually aiming to force even more turnovers, now pairing cornerback Quentin Sinclair's NSFL leading 7 interceptions with fourth overall pick and unanimous defensive player of the year Louisiana Purchase, who compiled a DSFL leading 7 interceptions of his own. With the addition of other defensive stars like Pete Parker and new defensive end Steco Ocewilder, this defense is in store for serious improvement.
7. Chicago Butchers
Passing
Completion % - 53.3% (1st)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.8 (4th)
QB Rating - 78.4 (4th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.37 (7th)
TFL % - 9.3% (1st)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 35.6% (4th)
Turnover Rate - 2.2% (3rd)
Sack Rate - 7.5% (5th)
Yards Per Play - 5.29 (6th)
Strength: Negative Plays
Weakness: Big Plays
Summary: The numbers are pretty good here, which should not be surprising considering Chicago finished only 1 point behind Yellowknife for the fewest total points allowed. Chicago is however losing some talent, most notably safely Lightsout Lewis who had 99 tackles, 9 sacks, and 18 passed defended. The Butchers did a great job of forcing negative and 0-yard plays, leading the league in opposing completion percentage and rushes that ended in a loss. The downside to the Chicago defense was the long play, as they allowed the highest yards per completion and surprisingly high yards per rush considering the frequency of TFLs.
6. San Jose SaberCats
Passing
Completion % - 58.0% (6th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (7th)
QB Rating - 90.4 (9th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.14 (4th)
TFL % - 5.9% (6th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 36.8% (5th)
Turnover Rate - 1.6% (8th)
Sack Rate - 7.6% (3rd)
Yards Per Play - 5.23 (4th)
Strength: Consistency
Weakness: Turnovers
Summary: San Jose didn't necessarily stand out statistically in any particular area, but when looking at the whole picture this is a pretty solid defense. The biggest area for improvement would be in making more big plays via turnovers. Despite a decent pass defense, the SaberCats finished 9th in opposing QB rating, largely due to the 24 passing touchdowns allowed to only 7 interceptions forced on the season.
5. Austin Copperheads
Passing
Completion % - 59.4% (9th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (9th)
QB Rating - 88.6 (7th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.35 (6th)
TFL % - 6.0% (5th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 35.5% (3rd)
Turnover Rate - 1.7% (6th)
Sack Rate - 7.6% (4th)
Yards Per Play - 5.40 (7th)
Strength: Backfield Disruption
Weakness: Pass Defense
Summary: Similar to San Jose, Austin did not stand out in any particular area. They did a decent job of getting into the backfield as you can see in their sack and TFL rates. The Copperheads struggled in pass defense, but could improve with the addition of second round cornerback Xavien Adams.
4. Baltimore Hawks
Passing
Completion % - 58.7% (7th)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.9 (6th)
QB Rating - 91.7 (10th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 3.95 (3rd)
TFL % - 4.9% (9th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 40.1% (6th)
Turnover Rate - 1.6% (9th)
Sack Rate - 8.0% (2nd)
Yards Per Play - 5.05 (3rd)
Strength: Front 7
Weakness: Turnovers
Summary: Baltimore had a stout defensive front, allowing the third fewest yards per carry average (despite a serious lack of tackles for loss) and the second best sack rate in the league. As we saw in the Ultimus though, the Hawks can struggle in pass defense and a lot of that had to do with their worst in the league 5 interceptions forced. I do like the addition of cornerback Juan Marston and defensive end Fabricio Baldari who were picked up despite the minimal draft capital that they had to work with.
3. Orange County Otters
Passing
Completion % - 55.5% (4th)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.6 (3rd)
QB Rating - 72.0 (1st)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.59 (9th)
TFL % - 3.9% (10th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 42.0% (7th)
Turnover Rate - 2.4% (2nd)
Sack Rate - 7.4% (6th)
Yards Per Play - 5.28 (5th)
Strength: Pass Defense
Weakness: Run Defense
Summary: The Otters had one of the top passing defenses in the league, and interestingly they have doubled down on the secondary with many of their offseason moves. Notably, wide receivers AJ Lattimer and third overall pick Tyrone Biggums are switching positions to play defensive back, and they also used their second of two first round picks on cornerback Korrin Abernathy. If the Otters can do a better job of stopping the run, which they certainly struggled with last season, this could be an elite defense.
2. Arizona Outlaws
Passing
Completion % - 53.8% (2nd)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.2 (1st)
QB Rating - 74.1 (3rd)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 3.90 (2nd)
TFL % - 7.5% (3rd)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 30.4% (1st)
Turnover Rate - 1.6% (7th)
Sack Rate - 8.8% (1st)
Yards Per Play - 4.69 (1st)
Strength: Everything
Weakness: Turnovers?
Summary: This is an impressive resume for Arizona, with the only real area to improve being turnovers, which is admittedly can be a tough area to improve by design. Arizona did not add any defensive players in this draft class, but there were just not too many open spots in this depth chart to fill in.
1. Yellowknife Wraiths
Passing
Completion % - 54.5% (3rd)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.3 (2nd)
QB Rating - 72.1 (2nd)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 3.79 (1st)
TFL % - 8.2% (2nd)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 34.6% (2nd)
Turnover Rate - 1.8% (4th)
Sack Rate - 6.9% (7th)
Yards Per Play - 4.75 (2nd)
Strength: Everything
Weakness: Sacks?
Summary: Much like Arizona, there is not any significant blemish on this resume, other than maybe a low sack rate. Yellowknife takes the top spot on the list though due to some additions that could make defense somehow even better in the coming season, including arguably the draft's top linebacker Maurice Virtanen.
I spent a good amount of time working on this section, but unfortunately it was lost in an unavoidable accident (PSA: Remember to frequently save your work). To quickly rehash it though:
[Your team] significantly improved over the offseason by bringing in [draft picks/free agents] that are a perfect fit for this defense. Meanwhile, [your rival] continues to appear to have no idea what they're doing and will surely take a step back this season.
...but seriously just check out majesiu's article for this. He did a much better job of it than what I was working on anyway.
Power Rankings
10. Philadelphia Liberty
Passing
Completion % - 58.9% (8th)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.8 (5th)
QB Rating - 87.2 (6th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.49 (8th)
TFL % - 5.2% (8th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 44.4% (9th)
Turnover Rate - 1.5% (10th)
Sack Rate - 4.6% (8th)
Yards Per Play - 5.57 (8th)
Strength: No Big Plays Allowed
Weakness: No Big Plays Made
Summary: One area where Philadelphia did well was minimizing long plays. The Liberty had the third best yards per completion average in the league. However, they struggled in pretty much every other area, and just could not end drives - finishing 9th in 3rd down conversion rate and dead last in forcing turnovers - making this not really a "bend, but don't break" defense, but more "bend, and then keep bending" philosophy.
9. New Orleans Second Line
Passing
Completion % - 57.5% (5th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (8th)
QB Rating - 89.2 (8th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.34 (5th)
TFL % - 5.2% (7th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 42.5% (8th)
Turnover Rate - 1.8% (5th)
Sack Rate - 4.2% (9th)
Yards Per Play - 5.64 (9th)
Strength: Run Defense
Weakness: Pass Defense
Summary: Although these ranking are indeed definitive, numbers 5-9 could really be put in any order. Overall, New Orleans wasn't great, but did hold their own is certain areas, including stopping the run. Adding first overall pick Bjorn Ironside could help to improve a defensive line that struggled getting into the backfield.
8. Colorado Yeti
Passing
Completion % - 61.0% (10th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (10th)
QB Rating - 85.4 (5th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.67 (10th)
TFL % - 7.5% (4th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 44.5% (10th)
Turnover Rate - 2.5% (1st)
Sack Rate - 3.8% (10th)
Yards Per Play - 5.78 (10th)
Strength: Turnovers
Weakness: Run Defense
Summary: So why is the team that finished last in most significant defensive categories not ranked last in these power rankings, you ask? I'm sorry, I can't hear you over all these yeti noises. Colorado had a lot of problems last season, but forcing turnovers was definitely not one of them. However, the Yeti are actually aiming to force even more turnovers, now pairing cornerback Quentin Sinclair's NSFL leading 7 interceptions with fourth overall pick and unanimous defensive player of the year Louisiana Purchase, who compiled a DSFL leading 7 interceptions of his own. With the addition of other defensive stars like Pete Parker and new defensive end Steco Ocewilder, this defense is in store for serious improvement.
7. Chicago Butchers
Passing
Completion % - 53.3% (1st)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.8 (4th)
QB Rating - 78.4 (4th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.37 (7th)
TFL % - 9.3% (1st)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 35.6% (4th)
Turnover Rate - 2.2% (3rd)
Sack Rate - 7.5% (5th)
Yards Per Play - 5.29 (6th)
Strength: Negative Plays
Weakness: Big Plays
Summary: The numbers are pretty good here, which should not be surprising considering Chicago finished only 1 point behind Yellowknife for the fewest total points allowed. Chicago is however losing some talent, most notably safely Lightsout Lewis who had 99 tackles, 9 sacks, and 18 passed defended. The Butchers did a great job of forcing negative and 0-yard plays, leading the league in opposing completion percentage and rushes that ended in a loss. The downside to the Chicago defense was the long play, as they allowed the highest yards per completion and surprisingly high yards per rush considering the frequency of TFLs.
6. San Jose SaberCats
Passing
Completion % - 58.0% (6th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (7th)
QB Rating - 90.4 (9th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.14 (4th)
TFL % - 5.9% (6th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 36.8% (5th)
Turnover Rate - 1.6% (8th)
Sack Rate - 7.6% (3rd)
Yards Per Play - 5.23 (4th)
Strength: Consistency
Weakness: Turnovers
Summary: San Jose didn't necessarily stand out statistically in any particular area, but when looking at the whole picture this is a pretty solid defense. The biggest area for improvement would be in making more big plays via turnovers. Despite a decent pass defense, the SaberCats finished 9th in opposing QB rating, largely due to the 24 passing touchdowns allowed to only 7 interceptions forced on the season.
5. Austin Copperheads
Passing
Completion % - 59.4% (9th)
Yards Per Attempt - 7.0 (9th)
QB Rating - 88.6 (7th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.35 (6th)
TFL % - 6.0% (5th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 35.5% (3rd)
Turnover Rate - 1.7% (6th)
Sack Rate - 7.6% (4th)
Yards Per Play - 5.40 (7th)
Strength: Backfield Disruption
Weakness: Pass Defense
Summary: Similar to San Jose, Austin did not stand out in any particular area. They did a decent job of getting into the backfield as you can see in their sack and TFL rates. The Copperheads struggled in pass defense, but could improve with the addition of second round cornerback Xavien Adams.
4. Baltimore Hawks
Passing
Completion % - 58.7% (7th)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.9 (6th)
QB Rating - 91.7 (10th)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 3.95 (3rd)
TFL % - 4.9% (9th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 40.1% (6th)
Turnover Rate - 1.6% (9th)
Sack Rate - 8.0% (2nd)
Yards Per Play - 5.05 (3rd)
Strength: Front 7
Weakness: Turnovers
Summary: Baltimore had a stout defensive front, allowing the third fewest yards per carry average (despite a serious lack of tackles for loss) and the second best sack rate in the league. As we saw in the Ultimus though, the Hawks can struggle in pass defense and a lot of that had to do with their worst in the league 5 interceptions forced. I do like the addition of cornerback Juan Marston and defensive end Fabricio Baldari who were picked up despite the minimal draft capital that they had to work with.
3. Orange County Otters
Passing
Completion % - 55.5% (4th)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.6 (3rd)
QB Rating - 72.0 (1st)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 4.59 (9th)
TFL % - 3.9% (10th)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 42.0% (7th)
Turnover Rate - 2.4% (2nd)
Sack Rate - 7.4% (6th)
Yards Per Play - 5.28 (5th)
Strength: Pass Defense
Weakness: Run Defense
Summary: The Otters had one of the top passing defenses in the league, and interestingly they have doubled down on the secondary with many of their offseason moves. Notably, wide receivers AJ Lattimer and third overall pick Tyrone Biggums are switching positions to play defensive back, and they also used their second of two first round picks on cornerback Korrin Abernathy. If the Otters can do a better job of stopping the run, which they certainly struggled with last season, this could be an elite defense.
2. Arizona Outlaws
Passing
Completion % - 53.8% (2nd)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.2 (1st)
QB Rating - 74.1 (3rd)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 3.90 (2nd)
TFL % - 7.5% (3rd)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 30.4% (1st)
Turnover Rate - 1.6% (7th)
Sack Rate - 8.8% (1st)
Yards Per Play - 4.69 (1st)
Strength: Everything
Weakness: Turnovers?
Summary: This is an impressive resume for Arizona, with the only real area to improve being turnovers, which is admittedly can be a tough area to improve by design. Arizona did not add any defensive players in this draft class, but there were just not too many open spots in this depth chart to fill in.
1. Yellowknife Wraiths
Passing
Completion % - 54.5% (3rd)
Yards Per Attempt - 6.3 (2nd)
QB Rating - 72.1 (2nd)
Rushing
Yards Per Attempt - 3.79 (1st)
TFL % - 8.2% (2nd)
Overall
3rd Down Conversion % - 34.6% (2nd)
Turnover Rate - 1.8% (4th)
Sack Rate - 6.9% (7th)
Yards Per Play - 4.75 (2nd)
Strength: Everything
Weakness: Sacks?
Summary: Much like Arizona, there is not any significant blemish on this resume, other than maybe a low sack rate. Yellowknife takes the top spot on the list though due to some additions that could make defense somehow even better in the coming season, including arguably the draft's top linebacker Maurice Virtanen.