After two weeks of DSFL play, it’s easy to forget which QB was supposed to be which. One QB, heralded as a responsible, mistake-averse leader, has already been sacked 5 times and thrown 2 interceptions. The other, a big-arm talent expected to be the focus of the offense, has thus far only been sacked 4 times and thrown zero interceptions, but also has about half the total yards and one third the touchdowns.
Let’s break this down. San Antonio played both of their games at home against bot teams. Marquise Brown, their star RB, rushed for 242 yards on 56 carries, an average of 4.3 ypc. While one might think he was keeping the ball out of Fitzpatrick’s hands, the combination of their first downs (33) and the opponents’ lack of such (21) gave Fitzpatrick a total of 87 plays over those two games, all in a “supportive” environment. In addition, San Antonio boasts a slightly better receiver corps, led by Footballer Catcherman and Alvin Chipmunk, who made a LOT of yards happen after the catch.
Kansas City, on the other hand, played against both of the teams in the Ultimini last season, one at home and one on the road. Their star RB, LaMarcus Strike, rushed for 146 yards on 44 carries, an average of 3.3 ypc. Kansas City only had 27 first downs, compared to 39 for their opponents. What’s particularly odd about that is that Kansas City only had 5 first downs against Tijuana, rising to 22 at home against Portland. That can almost be solely attributed to the success of the run game, under 3 per carry in Tijuana, over 3.5 hosting the Pythons. Another factor, by the way, is that San Antonio’s defense is much better than that of Kansas City’s. Their receiver corps is led by Vinny Valentine and Declan Harp, both of whom have a LOT of upside, but aren’t quite the weapons Fitzpatrick had to work with.
With those factors in play, it’s easy to see why Fitzpatrick would start with the lead in yards and TDs, but that only begs the question of why he also leads in interceptions and sacks taken. The latter is easily explained by pure number of dropbacks, as both QBs were sacked on 7% of all pass plays. Still, if Fitzpatrick is supposed to be better at avoiding defenders, shouldn’t his rate be lower?
The answer to that is that he is, but there is one factor that hasn’t been addressed, one quite important to quarterbacks. Fitzpatrick has a run-blocking O-line. The five of them have an average of 58 pass blocking, compared to 71 for Portland. San Antonio just lets more rushers through, resulting in more pressured throws. Of course, the Marshals line has already racked up 53 pancakes compared to 19 for the Coyotes, so it’s easy to see why Fitzpatrick is benefitting from more first downs.
There is still a LOT of football left to play, and we will likely see both quarterbacks leapfrog each other due to varying performances, but for now, here are the total stats:
Fitzpatrick:
40 for 72, 469 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
10 carries, 59 yards.
Sacked 5 times, 38 yards lost.
Total of 490 yards on 87 plays, 5.63 yards per play.
After adjusting for touchdowns and interceptions, 5.52 adjusted net yards per play.
Showbiz:
25 for 57, 242 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
2 carry for 19 yards.
Sacked 4 times, 27 yards lost.
Total of 252 yards on 63 plays, 4.00 yards per play.
After adjusting for touchdowns and interceptions, 4.32 adjusted net yards per play.
Naturally, tagging @Molarpistols
Let’s break this down. San Antonio played both of their games at home against bot teams. Marquise Brown, their star RB, rushed for 242 yards on 56 carries, an average of 4.3 ypc. While one might think he was keeping the ball out of Fitzpatrick’s hands, the combination of their first downs (33) and the opponents’ lack of such (21) gave Fitzpatrick a total of 87 plays over those two games, all in a “supportive” environment. In addition, San Antonio boasts a slightly better receiver corps, led by Footballer Catcherman and Alvin Chipmunk, who made a LOT of yards happen after the catch.
Kansas City, on the other hand, played against both of the teams in the Ultimini last season, one at home and one on the road. Their star RB, LaMarcus Strike, rushed for 146 yards on 44 carries, an average of 3.3 ypc. Kansas City only had 27 first downs, compared to 39 for their opponents. What’s particularly odd about that is that Kansas City only had 5 first downs against Tijuana, rising to 22 at home against Portland. That can almost be solely attributed to the success of the run game, under 3 per carry in Tijuana, over 3.5 hosting the Pythons. Another factor, by the way, is that San Antonio’s defense is much better than that of Kansas City’s. Their receiver corps is led by Vinny Valentine and Declan Harp, both of whom have a LOT of upside, but aren’t quite the weapons Fitzpatrick had to work with.
With those factors in play, it’s easy to see why Fitzpatrick would start with the lead in yards and TDs, but that only begs the question of why he also leads in interceptions and sacks taken. The latter is easily explained by pure number of dropbacks, as both QBs were sacked on 7% of all pass plays. Still, if Fitzpatrick is supposed to be better at avoiding defenders, shouldn’t his rate be lower?
The answer to that is that he is, but there is one factor that hasn’t been addressed, one quite important to quarterbacks. Fitzpatrick has a run-blocking O-line. The five of them have an average of 58 pass blocking, compared to 71 for Portland. San Antonio just lets more rushers through, resulting in more pressured throws. Of course, the Marshals line has already racked up 53 pancakes compared to 19 for the Coyotes, so it’s easy to see why Fitzpatrick is benefitting from more first downs.
There is still a LOT of football left to play, and we will likely see both quarterbacks leapfrog each other due to varying performances, but for now, here are the total stats:
Fitzpatrick:
40 for 72, 469 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
10 carries, 59 yards.
Sacked 5 times, 38 yards lost.
Total of 490 yards on 87 plays, 5.63 yards per play.
After adjusting for touchdowns and interceptions, 5.52 adjusted net yards per play.
Showbiz:
25 for 57, 242 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
2 carry for 19 yards.
Sacked 4 times, 27 yards lost.
Total of 252 yards on 63 plays, 4.00 yards per play.
After adjusting for touchdowns and interceptions, 4.32 adjusted net yards per play.
Naturally, tagging @Molarpistols