Folks typically either love or hate Pro Football Focus’ analysis, but when it comes down to hard numbers, those stats are undisputed.
Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White has a massive one in his favor heading into his team’s season finale against the Jets.
According to PFF, White could become the only cornerback since the outlet’s start (2006) to have played 500-plus coverage snaps and not allow a single touchdown while leading the NFL in interceptions.
What to watch for on Sunday: Tre'Davious White can become the only CB in the @PFF era (Since '06) to have 500+ COV. Snaps and lead the league in INTs without giving up a TD #Bills #Gobills #BillsMafia
#MakeHistory #Bills pic.twitter.com/5DUjJdwccH— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) December 26, 2019
So what does wide receiver John Brown have to do with that? Here’s where NFL research comes in.
In Buffalo’s 24-17 loss to the Patriots in Week 16, Brown scored a 53-yard touchdown with cornerback Stephon Gilmore in coverage. It was the first time this season Gilmore was scored on, and Gilmore has played well-above 500 snaps this season as well.
Stephon Gilmore allowed his 1st TD in coverage this season on John Brown’s 53-yard score per @PFF.
That leaves the Bills Tre’Davious White as the player with the most targets in coverage without allowing a TD (83).
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) December 22, 2019
Combining these stats means and looking back to PFF’s numbers, White can likely set this feat against the Jets in Week 17. White may be a candidate to be inactive for the game, even. Therefore, his numbers will remain the same, but that might not be good.
White is currently in a three-way tie for the most interceptions in the NFL with Gilmore and the Vikings’ Anthony Harris. If either of those two gets to seven, then White’s PFF record is voided based on him no longer leading the league in picks.
Having said that, both Gilmore and Harris, like White, are on playoff-bound teams and could also see limited playing time in Week 17, maybe.
If the cards fall in the right places, White could set an awfully high benchmark for a guy not even getting considerations for Defensive Player of the Year.
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