Conducting a little bit of an experiment with this discussion… when you hear the term “finesse” (typically in a derogatory manner), which teams from across the decades spring to mind?
I think of the 2002 Bucs (in a good way.) They were a smallish defense that relied on speed and smarts to beat opposing offenses, and they were great at it. But if the Raiders had chosen to run the ball down their throats in the Super Bowl (instead of Gannon passing it all over the place,) they’d have been steamrolled.
Greatest Show on Turf. Every play they ran was fucking pretty. Holt, Bruce, and Faulk were the definition of finesse. Even Orlando Pace moved like Fred Astaire.
I actually kind of disagree, people forget those teams were dominant in run defense
My take: Colts dominant regular seasons during the Peyton era. '05-'09
2013 Broncos
2017-19 rams
Rams under Dick Vermeil and Kurt Warner.
I remember hearing that a lot about the late '80s/early '90s Niners. Even though it wasn’t really true.
What is even ‘finesse’?
I heard this lots about 90s teams throughout all sports including the Los Angeles Kings.
Air Coryell. Chargers
oh also the 2017 falcons
My 1988 high school team was pure finesse. Got out-handled, gunned, hit, tackled, runned but not out-finessed.
Greatest show on turf, 2000s colts, 2010s saints, 2020s bengals
Why do you say 2020’s bengals? Interested to hear your take on it.
Because they are a finesse team. So much of the offense is predicated on timing routes and coordination between Burrow and his receivers. All the back shoulders he throws are a perfect example of a finesse game. They also struggle mightily when played by a more physical defense as we’ve seen against the Ravens the past 2 years.
1990s Buffalo Bills
- 2013 Broncos
- 2016 Falcons
- 2018 Chiefs
I always think of a finesse football team as one with high flying offense that gets let down by their defense.
Fouts Chargers
Marino Dolphins