Eli5 why in football do they always reference rest as beneficial to the defense?

Question

So watching college football today the announcers always make a statement like “That drive took 10 minutes so the defense got a good rest”. How is that rest only beneficial to the defense and not for the opposing offense?

In: 744

Answer 1

Let’s zoom in and look at a specific match-up between a Wide reciever and a corner back.

WR is tired and loses a step against the CB. He still has the element of surprise and can use any number of routes to force an opening and make a play.

CB is tired and loses a step against the WR. Reciver and QB pick up on this and go deep and it’s 6 points on the board.