I've seen references that the reason for our 2016 7 win streak (in RT's last 8 games) is that Ajayi was carrying Tannehill. Facts:
1. In first 2 games of streak, Ajayi averaged 209 yds and 7.9 ypc.
2. In final 5 games of win streak, Ajayi ran for only 360 yards, averaging 72 yds and 3.7ypc.
3. In first 2 games, Tannehill averaged 228 yds, 8.0 ypa, 68.4% completion. he threw 1TD for a .5/0 td/int.
4. In last 5 games, Tannehill averaged 208 yds, 7.7ypa, 68.4% completion, 2.2/.4 td/int (11 TDs and 2 int).
5. In the the last two wins, where Ajayi rushed an average of 47yds and a paltry 2.4ypc, Tannehill averaged 240yds, 9.6ypa, 70% completion, and threw 6TDs with 1 int.
I think we can put that myth to bed. Truth is, Tannehill "arrived" and was just hitting his stride when the injury occurred.
FIN FANS- WE SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY STOKED FOR THIS FALL ONCE THIS TEAM JELLS!
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I rewatched the Pittsburgh game last night. Box score readers will see:
24 of 32 for 252 0 TDs and 0 INTs for a nice 97.4 passer rating and 30 points scored.
They won't see that he had two TD passes dropped and one TD pass called back for a formation penalty.
The first drop negated a 26 yard TD pass on their opening drive and resulted in a FG instead (after another dropped pass by Ajayi). 4 points lost.
The second TD dropped was on the same drive as the formation penalty. That was the same drive as the incredible 53 yard pass to Gray where he stepped out at the 1 yard line. That's three passes on the same drive that could have or should have been TDs. 4 points lost.
The final drive of the half featured a 39 yard pass to Landry down to the Pitt 2 yard line that resulted in a rushing TD.
The box score reader sees 3 FGs and i rushing TD in the half.
I see a QB that has played lights out and well enough to have 3 TD passes.
The second half begins with a long drive that results in a blocked FG.
Two drives later there is another missed FG.
The next drive eats 7 minutes off the clock in the 4th quarter.
Finally in the last minute of the game, Ajayi gets 62 TD run that adds to the stats but is no more responsible for the win than getting 1 first down and running out the clock.
The box score reader sees the final stat line and says no TD passes and he was carried by the running game. I see a QB that played very well, made a few throws that very few can make and managed the game extremely well. There was only one three and out and only two punts in the game (the second was late in the game after burning off a bunch of clock and punting from the Pitt 36 yard line).
For those keeping score, that's 14 points lost in a game where 30 points were scored.