Inside the NFL's Scoring Explosion: Flex Backs, First Downs, and Flags

[26CornerBlitz]

Inside the NFL's Scoring Explosion: Flex Backs, First Downs, and Flags

 

 

Kevin Seifert and Mike Sando - ESPN

 

For the first time in the NFL's 99-year history, two teams scored 50 points in the same regulation game last month. The Los Angeles Rams' 54-51 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs underscored a season-long explosion of offensive production, a trend that has energized fans and coincided with a notable rise in television ratings.

 

Through the first 13 weeks of the 2018 campaign, the NFL is averaging more points (47.8), yards (718.4) and passing touchdowns (3.5) per game than at any similar point in its history. Expected points added (EPA) -- a measure of each play's change in net point advantage for the offense, based on down, distance and yard line at each snap -- has increased nearly 1,200 points from 2017, a massive jump.

 

The numbers represent a course correction after a one-year dip last season, but the roots reveal boundless opportunity for future expansion. NFL offenses have enjoyed a steady rise for 40 years, ever since the league adjusted a series of rules in 1978 to end the "dead ball" era and encourage more scoring. But 2018 has produced a sharp spike even beyond that trend.

 

So how did it happen, and why now?

 

A trip through the numbers reveals a combination of analytics-based playcalling, more rule changes and a fundamental pivot in the use of running backs among the key factors. Let's take a closer look, with figures culled from the ESPN Stats & Information database along with special research from senior statistics analyst Jacob Nitzberg.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Mr. WEO]

3 teams over 30 mpg.

 

9 teams 20 or less.

 

 

[MJS]

I think the league is just more top heavy. There are some powerful teams like Chiefs, Rams, and Saints, but there are a ton of mediocre teams.

 

Also, it seems the shortage of starting caliber QB's is significantly less than it usually is. There are only a few teams that will be looking for a new starter next year.

[row_33]

Top NFL Os have total contempt for anything the D might throw at them 

 

It’s like an Oklahoma ripping apart a hapless pre-conference cupcake visitor

Edited December 8, 2018 by row_33

[Big Turk]

The problem with these high scoring teams in the playoffs is they run into better defenses then they played during the year many times and they don't know how to win tight games...