It really is about the turnovers

[Davidson Deac II]

Our giving the ball away more often is just as big of a problem as the lack of forced turnovers.  Maybe even bigger.  We already have more turnovers than last season, with four games left.  Early in the season, the offense just looked out of sync.  Later in the season a beat up oline contributed to more turnovers.  

 

Also, lets face it.  One of the reasons we had a better turnover ratio last year was that we played a lot of bad teams.  This year, not so much.  We don't get to play Dallas with Romo, or Jacksonville, etc....

[Khyber53]

5 hours ago, Davidson Deac II said:

Our giving the ball away more often is just as big of a problem as the lack of forced turnovers.  Maybe even bigger.  We already have more turnovers than last season, with four games left.  Early in the season, the offense just looked out of sync.  Later in the season a beat up oline contributed to more turnovers.  

 

Also, lets face it.  One of the reasons we had a better turnover ratio last year was that we played a lot of bad teams.  This year, not so much.  We don't get to play Dallas with Romo, or Jacksonville, etc....

Yeah, the giveaways are a big part of it, and how more successful the other teams have been this year in converting those into points. And I agree that we did play a lot of bad teams last year who couldn't make those work out, but we've played our fair share of bad teams this year, too. The Chargers, Saints and Rams aren't exactly championship teams.

I guess the margin between good and bad seasons really is a pretty fine line, probably set up right along the turnovers axis more than anything else. The great teams and the truly horrible teams (long term in both) are affected by the turnovers, but perhaps nowhere near as defined as we and others like us are.

 

[GRWatcher]

Luck also affects the turnover ratio. How the ball bounces once it's fumbled, direction of the pass deflection. This year players haven't always been in the best spot to take advantage. 

[ncsportsfan1234]

On Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 10:53 PM, AceBoogie said:

If only there was a dynamic playmaker in the secondary with a knack for causing turnovers...

Norman didn't have an int after week 4 last season and only one turnover period after week 4.... just saying 

[emhoward]

Turnovers come in two ways: interceptions and fumbles.

Fumbles are about a combination of Luck, aggressiveness, and the other teams carelessness. It's hard to prepare for other than practice stripping and jumping on the ball. 

Interceptions though come from pressure. We get more interceptions when we get pressure on the opposing QB. And throw more when Cam is pressured. 

Fix the Oline. Strengthen the Dline. And we're be fine for next year.