NFL 2016: Converting on Offense

NFL 2016: Converting on Offense

Converting on 3rd or 4th down is what keeps drives alive. It also could mean the difference between winning and losing. Here's a look at the NFL teams that are the best at converting on these key downs

Third-Down Conversions

Excelling on third down extends drives and keeps your opponent off the field, which can be an important factor in winning games.

Last season, six playoff teams converted at least 40 percent of their third-down attempts -- Arizona (47.0 percent), Seattle (46.5), Washington (43.5), Carolina (42.4), New England (40.9) and Cincinnati (40.3).

"The ability to convert keeps us going on offense and gets us those opportunities we always talk about," says Seahawks head coach PETE CARROLL. "It helps us in the red zone as well. It gets us another shot at making the touchdown play come to life, whether it's a run or a pass."

The six playoff teams which converted at least 40 percent of their third-down attempts:

Best Efficiency Rate on 3rd Down

Team	Att	Conv	Pct.
Source: NFL
Arizona	198	93	47.0
Seattle	213	99	46.5
Washington	216	94	43.5
Carolina	203	86	42.4
New England	215	88	40.9
Cincinnati	201	81	40.3

Fourth-and-One

In fourth-and-one situations, the offense or defense must not only overpower its opponent but also outsmart it in order to retain or gain possession. It is an art that must be studied for mastery.

"Something big is going to happen," says NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach BRIAN BILLICK. "Either you're going to convert in a crucial situation that keeps a drive alive or you get stopped. It's either a huge emotional lift for your team or a huge emotional drain."

The Oakland Raiders converted all five of their fourth-and-one situations last season, finishing as the only team with a perfect mark in the category (minimum five attempts) for a second consecutive season. The Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons all converted six of their seven fourth-and-one conversions, tying for second in the league with an 85.7 percent success rate.

The teams with the most attempts and the best efficiency rate on fourth-and-one last season:

Best Efficiency Rate on 4th-and-1

Team	Att	Conv	Pct.
Source: NFL Minimum 5 attempts*
Baltimore	8	6	75.0
New England	8	5	62.5
Tampa Bay	8	4	50.0
Seattle	7	6	85.7
Green Bay	7	6	85.7
Atlanta	7	6	85.7
Philadelphia	6	5	83.3
Oakland	5	5	100.0

Moving The Chains

A precise route can be the difference between a game-changing play and an appearance by the punt team. It's a skill for a receiver to know exactly where he needs to go in order to move the chains and keep a drive going. On third down, the best receivers carefully gauge each step to ensure their routes finish beyond the first-down marker.

Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown led all receivers on third down with 31 first-down catches in 2015. Brown has 265 total receptions over the past two seasons, the most catches in any two-season span in NFL history.

"You can tell him that he doesn't have the best measurables, but his will and mentality make him special in critical situations," says Steelers head coach MIKE TOMLIN. "Certain things go beyond the cookie cutter of what you imagine an ideal player looks like. His mentality every day is what makes him great."

The receivers with the most first-down receptions on third down in 2015:

3rd-Down Receiving Totals: Most 1st Downs

Player	Team	1st Downs	Rec	Yards	TDs
Source: NFL
Antonio Brown	Pittsburgh	31	42	642	3
Odell Beckham, Jr.	New York Giants	28	31	455	2
DeAndre Hopkins	Houston	26	30	427	2
Julio Jones	Atlanta	25	28	392	3
Brandon Marshall	New York Jets	24	28	373	6
Emmanuel Sanders	Denver	24	26	342	4