“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia”.
For those old enough or you watched in subsequent decades Brady Bunch reruns, you instantly recognize the iconic line.
That’s how I often feel when hearing fans and analysts speak of third downs in the NFL. “Third-down offensive conversion rate”, third-down defensive conversion rate. Third down, third down, third down.”
During the four-game winning streak, Washington controlled the line of scrimmage, and ran the ball, and kept the clock moving, and their opponents’ offenses OFF of the field. Yes, they also saw improvement in their third-down conversion rate on offense and defense.
I hear many fans today parroting how third down is the most important down in the NFL. I do agree, you have to perform on third down to keep the chains moving on offense or force the opponents’ offensive unit off of the field.
What type of third downs did the WFT face in the first half, against Dallas?
Third-and-8 — then a delay of game sunk it to third-and-13.
Third-and-10 — resulted in the Randy Gregory tipped and intercepted pass.
Third-and-6 — an incomplete pass, saved by a roughing the passer penalty.
Third-and-7 — Heinicke to Humphries for five yards, then on fourth down was sacked, fumbled and Dallas was up 18-0.
Third-and-8 — Heinicke again sacked by Parsons (-9 yards).
Third-and-6 — Heinicke pass incomplete (Adam Humphries).
Third-and-15 — Heinicke deep pass incomplete (Cam Sims).
End of Half: Dallas 24, Washington 0
And there you have it, each time in the first half the WFT offense faced a third-down, not once was it five yards or less. NOT ONCE.
Often when I hear so much emphasis on third down ad nauseam, I rebelliously utter, “Third down? What about first down? Wouldn’t better first-down balance and execution, result in improved options for third-down conversion as well?” Or perhaps even avoid some third downs altogether?
Perhaps in Ashburn this week, an emphasis should be first-down creativity, balance, execution?