NFL Fact or Fiction: What Makes a Winning Team?

There is no concrete formula for winning in the National Football League. One certainty, though, is that there are some aspects of the game that need to be executed consistently over the course of a season.

A franchise cannot be successful if it puts emphasis on finding premium talent at every position—that simply isn't affordable.

So, allow me to distinguish truth from myth and identify the keys to victory in professional football.

Fact: Powerful Ball Carriers

Baltimore Ravens' running back Ray Rice is my favorite NFL rusher. This is mainly because he's from my hometown of New Rochelle, N.Y., but in part because he is genuinely ball-shaped (like a round ball, I mean—not a football).

Such a body type is ideal at the highest level.

Strength is a requirement for running backs because defenses are unbelievably quick. If you have the ball, you will get hit, and the only way to break off a long run is to shed some tackles. Those playing behind a poor offensive line need power just to make it back to the line of scrimmage!

Durability is also imperative in the NFL. Players coming out of college must adjust from a 12-game regular season to a 16-game campaign. Bulking up helps rushers bear more carries and more hits.

Rice and other muscle-heads are assured longevity in the league because strength is one of the last skills to desert a player.

Fiction: Elusive Ball Carriers

Although sexy to see on the highlights, speed is grossly overrated at this position.

If slender players aren't lightning-fast, they can only pray for tremendous blocking. While these individuals are great in open space and nearly impossible to catch from behind, their aspirations to reach the secondary also hinge on their physicality.

The lone exceptions are guys like Tennessee's Chris Johnson. If a player is like him—and no one truly is—and is legitimately faster than all 11 would-be tacklers, then it's easy to exploit the smallest defensive miscues without getting down and dirty.

The injury risk is obviously higher for these type of rushers. It's no surprise that Reggie Bush has never blossomed into an every-down back and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles is done for the season after only 12 carries.

They are too skinny!

Note: Even Johnson can't succeed without adequate blocking. See his 2011 stats.

Fact: Intelligent Punting

Special teams is frequently overlooked by NFL fans under the impression that it barely affects the outcome of games. I know of at least one aspect that does.

Punting—fourth down's favorite pastime—controls field position, and field position is everything.

A punter has countless possibilities when attempting a kick. This includes purposefully booming one out of bounds to avoid a return, getting underneath the ball to force a fair catch, smashing one deep in hopes of reaching the end zone for a touchback, etc. Not so simple, eh?

The play-calling of the opposing offense is heavily influenced by where they begin a series. They will be making desperate choices if constantly pinned deep in their own territory.

Ultimately, the difference between the best and worst punters by season's end will be about 12 net yards per punt plus a handful of return touchdowns that directly show on the scoreboard.

Fiction: Dependable Placekicking

In contrast, placekickers aren't so important.

OK, they are the deciding players when, for example, their team is trailing by one point with the game clock expiring at the end of regulation. They play a big role in those select scenarios.

Honestly, though, there isn't a lot of variance at the position. Every NFL field goal kicker has the ability to reach the goal post from 50 yards away. None of them miss from inside of 35 yards or on extra point attempts after a touchdown.

Whatever statistical difference does exist among kickers is largely affected by the quality of the holder and the blocking. When kept comfortable, every placekicker is virtually the same.

Fact: Physical Receivers

Wideouts have plenty of responsibilities on the football field. The skill most vital to fulfilling them is physicality, something that can't be quantified.

When route running, blocking or stopping a return touchdown, receivers must put their paws on opposing players. To find open space, draw a penalty, create a hole for the running back or bring down a heavy linebacker, they need to develop specific techniques.

Despite popular belief, there are no other prerequisites (think Wes Welker and Calvin Johnson, two completely dissimilar all-pro players).

Fiction: Athletic Receivers

Speed and size consequently don't determine a receiver's value. They only influence how he and the passer prepare.

A tall, lanky player can run streaks and bring down receptions over coverage when given high passes. Meanwhile, a little man may thrive on screens that are geared toward his ability to run after the catch.

Every team should have players of each skill set in order to adapt to different defenses. However, neither speed nor size is necessary.

Defensive backs are given a lot of leeway to obstruct receptions and receivers need to fight back.

Fact: Accurate Quarterbacks

A great quarterback is an accurate quarterback. It's really that simple.

A passer who has a vast repertoire of lobs, screens, deep passes, crosses, posts and corner throws can make a mediocre team awesome (i.e., Peyton Manning).

Turnovers are the worst possible tragedies that can befall an offense. The most productive quarterbacks avoid them at any cost.

Mobility is always valuable as is the size to withstand inevitable hits, but being on the money is paramount.

Fiction: Strong Quarterbacks

An interception a game will keep victory away.

Former NFL quarterback and future hall-of-famer Brett Favre was picked more than anybody. The velocity he got on his passes—even toward the end of his career—was startling, but his decision-making was always questionable. He could have been even more dominant had his passes been thrown with more specificity.

Strength at the quarterback position doesn't mean much. After all, you don't see JaMarcus Russell playing on Sundays anymore.