Is Running The Ball And Stopping The Run Really That Important?

Filed in archive NFL on January 3, 2008

When it comes to playoff football, these are words you are most likely to hear from analysts breaking down the games: "Winning teams run the ball and stop the run." Since they all say it, it has to be true, right? Let's take a look at the last five years (the playoffs are obviously after the new year, hence the dates).

2002-2003
This year, it was Tampa beat Philly in the NFC championship game, while Oakland beat Tennessee in the AFC. The Buccaneers went on to win the Super Bowl. Defensively, the mantra held true, as each team was in the top 10 defensively against the run. However, offensively, Super Bowl champ Tampa was 27th in rushing, while Oakland was 18th.

2003-2004
New England beat Indianapolis in the AFC championship, while Carolina upended Philadelphia in the NFC, only to lose to New England in the Super Bowl. Offensively, both NFC teams were in the top 10 in rushing, but Indy was 19th and Super Bowl champ New England was 27th. Defensively, only New England was top 10 against the run, while the Colts and Eagles were 20th and 22nd, respectively.

2004-2005
Philly was once again in the NFC championship game, beating Atlanta, while New England beat the Steelers in the AFC, and Philadelphia in the Super Bowl. On offense, Atlanta, New England and Pittsburgh were top 10 in running the ball, while the Eagles were 24th. On defense, again it was Atlanta, New England and Pittsburgh in the top 10 against the run, while Philly was 16th.

2005-2006
This is the year the suggestion really held true, as the NFC featured Seattle beating Carolina and the AFC had the Steelers beating the Broncos and then winning it all. On offense, each team except Carolina was in the top 5 in rushing, while defensively each team was in the top five against the run.

2006-2007
On the other hand, this is the year that the saying wasn't exactly accurate. The NFC was the Bears beating New Orleans, while the AFC had the Colts beating the Patriots and then the Bears in the Super Bowl. Offensively, none of the teams was higher than 12th in rushing, and while two of them were in the top 10 against the run on defense, New Orleans was 23rd and Indy was last.

So, what does all this information mean? Sometimes it's important to have a team that's great at running and stopping the run, but sometimes it doesn't matter a lick. Of the last five Super Bowl champions, only twice was the team in the top 10 in offensive rushing yards. On the other hand, it does seem clear that stopping the run is a good indicator of success, which could mean good things for teams like Pittsburgh and Washington.

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