In the NFL, third down is the money down. This is where good quarterbacks separate themselves from great ones, and where defenses show what they’re made of.
One of my favorite interviews I’ve listened to is one Peter King did with David Shaw, head football coach at Stanford, last year. In it, Shaw was talking about the difference in the college game and the NFL and made this remark about playing QB in the NFL.
“It’s 3rd down and it’s red zone. That’s their whole world. It’s 3rd down and red zone when it comes to quarterback play in the NFL.