Importance of 3rd Down Efficiency

Green Bay Packers @ Washington Redskins

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I didn't watch the Packers/Redskins game today, but when perusing the box score after the game I wondered how the Packers lost this game.

The Packers gained more yards from scrimmage than the Redskins (427-373), and blew Washington out of the water in terms of rushing yards (157-51).  To add insult to injury not only did the Redskins rarely reach the Red Zone only getting there twice, they didn't convert either of those opportunities.  So what gives? 

Usually when looking at the stats of a team that lost yet played better than it's opposition you can point to turnovers as the reason they weren't victorious.  This wasn't the case here.  While Washington did win the turnover battle 2-1, this margin wasn't enough to make them the victors.

The Packers lost this game because they weren't good when it counted the most as they only went 2-13 in third down conversions .  I don't know the exact numbers but I'd be willing to bet that when teams perform this badly on third down that they rarely win games...if ever.  


It goes to show that having a great offense doesn't cut it in the NFL.  Being great when it counts matters more.  Just ask the Packers.  They clearly had no trouble gaining yards against the Redskins today but couldn't keep the chains moving with third down conversions and lost a game where they played really well. 

I'm sure any player in that locker room would rather have gained 150 less yards, but converted five more third downs because if this were the case the Packers most likely would have eaten more clock, scored more points, and won the game.  They'd be 4-1 and sitting atop the NFC standings.