We're moving up on the numbers that count (outside of W-L)

[Merlin]

This week we're the #1 team on the combined Aikman efficiency ratings (defense #1, offense #21), due to our offense improving significantly.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9787575

On profootballoutsiders DVOA we are #1 on defense, #3 special teams (a bump up) and #23 on offense

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6147120

What I like about these ratings is that they are unbiased and while sometimes stats can mislead (especially the official nfl stats), in general these stats tend not to and are better than most measures on predicting whose the better team.

It also points out that there's not that much more we can realistically do on defense and special teams -- even though we can see lots of potential improvement (compared to perfection), relative to the other teams we're significantly ahead.

The key question is how good does our offense need to be until we are a legitimate contender versus the Colts / Patriots / Broncos / Chargers in the playoffs. I would say we need to be a top half offense with an ability to average 4 yards / carry and that's what I'll be looking for in the Titans game.

If we can get the running game untracked this team could really get on a roll. Don't quite understand why Billick doesn't figure out how to use all 3 of his backs to get the running game untracked. 3.5 yards / carry is just not going to cut it. Other teams seem to not have a problem with using 2 backs (e.g., San Diego, Atlanta,New England) and spreading the carries. New England's a classic example -- Correy Dillon's getting old (just like Jamal) so they are starting to move more carries to the younger back.

Hoping that offensive coordinator Billick gets dissatisfied with the running game production and tells head coach Billick to not be loyal for loyalty's sake.

[AZRAVEN]

He probably doesn't use more backs because Jamal is constantly whining about the number of carries he gets. Remember he needs at least 30 carries a game to get "untracked" so he can go from one yard per carry to three yards per carry.

[OwingsMillsAlex]

Jamal can run the ball??? :P