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American Football statistics

Introduction to American football

American football is a highly popular sport in the United States, characterized by its physicality, complex strategies, and exhilarating gameplay. According to a recent survey, nearly 37% of Americans identify football as their favorite sport to watch. With its high viewership and fanbase, it's no surprise that statistics play a crucial role in understanding and analyzing the game.

History of American football statistics

The use of statistics in American football dates back to the early 20th century, when coaches and analysts began tracking basic metrics such as yards gained and touchdowns scored. Over time, the use of more advanced statistics has become increasingly prevalent, leading to a deeper understanding of the game and player performance.

Statistics allow coaches, analysts, and fans to measure and compare the performance of teams and players over time. They provide insight into which strategies and techniques are most effective, and can help identify areas for improvement. For example, by analyzing red zone statistics, coaches can determine how successful their team is at scoring touchdowns when they are within 20 yards of the opponent's end zone.

Different types of statistics

There are numerous types of statistics used in American football, ranging from basic metrics such as yards gained and touchdowns scored to more advanced metrics such as efficiency ratings and win probability. Each type of statistic provides a unique perspective on player and team performance, and can be used in different ways depending on the specific situation.

Offensive statistics

Offensive statistics track the performance of the team with the ball, including metrics such as total yards gained, points scored, and passing and rushing statistics. In the 2021 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys led the league in total offensive yards gained with 6,908 yards.

  • Total offensive yards gained: This metric tracks the total yards gained by a team over the course of a season. In the 2020 season, the Kansas City Chiefs led the league in this category with 6,653 yards.
  • Total points scored: This metric tracks the total number of points scored by a team over the course of a season. In the 2020 season, the Green Bay Packers led the league in this category with 509 points.
  • Passing yards: This metric tracks the total number of yards gained through passing plays, and includes metrics such as completion percentage, yards per attempt, and touchdown-to-interception ratio. In the 2020 season, Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans led the league in passing yards with 4,823.
  • Rushing yards: This metric tracks the total number of yards gained through rushing plays, and includes metrics such as yards per carry and rushing touchdowns. In the 2020 season, Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans led the league in rushing yards with 2,027.
  • Receiving yards: This metric tracks the total number of yards gained through receptions, and includes metrics such as receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. In the 2020 season, Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills led the league in receiving yards with 1,535.
By tracking these offensive statistics over time, coaches, analysts, and fans can gain insights into which teams and players are performing at a high level, and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, these statistics can help inform strategic decisions such as play-calling and personnel management.

Defensive statistics

Defensive statistics track the performance of the team without the ball, including metrics such as sacks, interceptions, and tackles. In the 2021 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers led the league in total sacks with 56.

  • Total yards allowed: This metric tracks the total yards allowed by a team's defense over the course of a season. The Los Angeles Rams led the league in this category with only 4,481 yards allowed.
  • Points allowed: This metric tracks the total number of points allowed by a team's defense over the course of a season. The Los Angeles Rams led the league in this category with only 296 points allowed.
  • Sacks: This metric tracks the total number of times a team's defense tackles the opposing quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. In the 2020 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers led the league in this category with 56 sacks.
  • Interceptions: This metric tracks the total number of times a team's defense intercepts the ball thrown by the opposing quarterback. In the 2020 season, the Miami Dolphins led the league in this category with 18 interceptions.
  • Forced fumbles: This metric tracks the total number of times a team's defense forces the opposing team to fumble the ball. In the 2020 season, the Baltimore Ravens led the league in this category with 17 forced fumbles.
  • Tackles: This metric tracks the total number of times a player on a team's defense makes a tackle. In the 2020 season, Zach Cunningham of the Houston Texans led the league in this category with 164 total tackles.
By tracking these defensive statistics over time, coaches, analysts, and fans can gain insights into which teams and players are performing at a high level on defense, and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, these statistics can help inform strategic decisions such as defensive game planning and personnel management.

Special teams statistics

Special teams statistics track the performance of the kicking and returning units, including metrics such as field goal percentage and kickoff return average. In the 2021 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins led the league in kickoff return average with 28.8 yards per return.

  • Field goal percentage: This metric tracks the success rate of a team's field goal attempts. Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins led the league in this category with a field goal percentage of 92.3%.
  • Punting average: This metric tracks the average distance a team's punter kicks the ball. Thomas Morstead of the New Orleans Saints led the league in this category with an average punt of 47.8 yards.
  • Kickoff return average: This metric tracks the average yards gained on a kickoff return. Cordarrelle Patterson of the Chicago Bears led the league in this category with an average kickoff return of 29.1 yards.
  • Punt return average: This metric tracks the average yards gained on a punt return. Gunner Olszewski of the New England Patriots led the league in this category with an average punt return of 17.3 yards.
  • Blocked kicks: This metric tracks the total number of times a team's special teams unit blocks a punt or field goal attempt. In the 2020 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers led the league in this category with 5 blocked kicks.
  • Special teams touchdowns: This metric tracks the total number of touchdowns scored by a team's special teams unit, including kick and punt returns. In the 2020 season, Andre Roberts of the Buffalo Bills led the league in this category with 1 special teams touchdown.
By tracking these special teams statistics over time, coaches, analysts, and fans can gain insights into which teams and players are performing at a high level on special teams, and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, these statistics can help inform strategic decisions such as special teams game planning and personnel management.

Passing statistics

Passing statistics track the performance of the quarterback and receivers, including metrics such as completion percentage, yards per attempt, and touchdown-to-interception ratio. In the 2021 NFL season, Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the league in passing yards with 5,316.

  • Completion percentage: This metric tracks the percentage of passes a quarterback completes out of the total number of passes attempted. In the 2020 season, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints led the league in this category with a completion percentage of 70.5%.
  • Yards per attempt: This metric tracks the average number of yards gained per passing attempt. In the 2020 season, Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans led the league in this category with 7.9 yards per attempt.
  • Touchdown-to-interception ratio: This metric tracks the number of touchdowns a quarterback throws compared to the number of interceptions they throw. In the 2020 season, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers led the league in this category with a ratio of 48 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.
  • Passer rating: This metric combines several passing statistics into a single rating that measures a quarterback's overall effectiveness. In the 2020 season, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers led the league in this category with a passer rating of 121.5.
  • Air yards: This metric tracks the total number of yards gained on passing attempts that travel at least 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. In the 2020 season, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills led the league in this category with 4,544 air yards.
By tracking these passing statistics over time, coaches, analysts, and fans can gain insights into which quarterbacks are performing at a high level, and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, these statistics can help inform strategic decisions such as offensive game planning and personnel management.

Rushing statistics

Rushing statistics track the performance of the running backs and offensive line, including metrics such as yards per carry and rushing touchdowns. In the 2021 NFL season, Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts led the league in rushing yards with 1,811.

Year Leading rusher Rushing yards Yards per carry Rushing touchdowns
2022 Josh Jacobs 1,653 4.8 17
2021 Jonathan Taylor 1,538 4.4 16
2020 Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) 2,027 5.4 17
2019 Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) 1,540 5.1 16
2018 Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys) 1,434 4.7 6
2017 Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) 1,327 4.9 8
2016 Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys) 1,631 5.1 15
2015 Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) 1,485 4.5 11
2014 DeMarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys) 1,845 4.7 13
2013 LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) 1,607 5.1 9
2012 Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) 2,097 6.0 12
2011 ----------- Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) 1,606 4.7 8

Receiving statistics

Receiving statistics track the performance of the wide receivers and tight ends, including metrics such as receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. In the 2021 NFL season, Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams led the league in receiving yards with 1,947.

Scoring statistics

Scoring statistics track the number and type of points scored by a team, including metrics such as touchdowns, field goals, and extra points. In the 2021 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers led the league in total points scored with 523.

Turnover statistics

Turnover statistics track the number of times the ball is given up by a team through interceptions and fumbles, as well as the number of turnovers forced by the defense. In the 2021 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins led the league in turnovers forced with 33.

Red zone statistics

Red zone statistics track a team's performance when they are within 20 yards of the opponent's end zone, including the percentage of trips that result in a touchdown versus a field goal or no score. In the 2021 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers led the league in red zone touchdown percentage with a rate of 78.4%.

Third down statistics

Third down statistics track a team's performance on third down, when they have one last chance to convert and keep the drive alive. This includes the percentage of third down conversions and the average yards gained on third down. In the 2021 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs led the league in third down conversion percentage with a rate of 53.4%.

Fourth down statistics

Fourth down statistics track a team's performance on fourth down, when they have the option to go for it, punt, or attempt a field goal. This includes the percentage of fourth down conversions and the average yards gained on fourth down. In the 2021 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens led the league in fourth down conversion percentage with a rate of 81.3%.

Two-minute drill statistics

Two-minute drill statistics track a team's performance in the final two minutes of a game, when they are attempting to come back and win. This includes metrics such as the number of game-winning drives and the quarterback's passer rating in the two-minute drill. In the 2021 NFL season, Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the league in passer rating in the two-minute drill with a rating of 118.6.

Overtime statistics

Overtime statistics track a team's performance in overtime, when the game is tied after regulation and the first team to score wins. This includes metrics such as the number of game-winning field goals and the percentage of possessions that result in a score. In the 2021 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers had the most overtime wins with two.

Player efficiency ratings

Player efficiency ratings are advanced metrics that attempt to quantify a player's overall contribution to the team's success. This includes metrics such as Football Outsiders' Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) and ESPN's Total Quarterback Rating (QBR). In the 2021 NFL season, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers led the league in QBR with a rating of 68.6.

Advanced analytics in American football

Advanced analytics in American football are becoming increasingly prevalent, as teams and analysts seek to gain an edge through the use of sophisticated metrics and machine learning algorithms. This includes metrics such as Expected Points Added (EPA) and Win Probability Added (WPA), which attempt to quantify the impact of a player or play on the team's chances of winning.

Conclusion: The importance of statistics in understanding and enjoying American football

In conclusion, statistics play a crucial role in understanding and enjoying American football. From basic metrics such as yards gained and touchdowns scored to advanced analytics such as DVOA and EPA, statistics provide insight into player and team performance, as well as strategies and techniques that can lead to success on the field. By analyzing and understanding these statistics, fans and analysts can gain a deeper appreciation for the sport and its intricacies.

Moreover, with the increasing availability of data and advanced analytics tools, the role of statistics in American football is only set to become more important in the future. Fans, coaches, and analysts alike can use these tools to gain a competitive advantage, better understand the game, and appreciate the performance of their favorite players and teams.

Whether you are a casual fan or a die-hard football enthusiast, there is no denying the importance of statistics in American football. By delving into the numbers and understanding what they represent, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the sport and its players, and enjoy the game on a whole new level.