Find all the articles in our American football frequently asked questions on this link. Today, level 2 of defensive statistics in the NFL.
Yards per pass or per run, this is self-explanatory. Before looking at Expected Points Added, what about level 2 attacking stats? Small review.
Yards after catches
If the receiver of the pass catches the ball at his 35 yards but is only stopped at the 48 yard line, then he has gained 13 yards after reception.
After five games in 2024, receiver Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati) is the player with the most yards gained after reception with 233. Receiver Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay) and runner Bijan Robinson (Atlanta) follow with 225 yards respectively and 207 receiving yards.
Pass rating and QB rating
The evaluation of a quarterback in the NFL (pass rating) considers several items: the number of passes found takers, the number of yards (passing and running), touchdowns and interceptions. A grade is thus assigned to the quarterback after the match: from 0 to 158.3.
In 2023, quarterback Dak Prescott (Dallas) was the second-ranked quarterback in the NFL, with a per game average of 105.9 passer rating. (Brock Purdy 1st with San Francisco).
There are also other evaluation methods including the ESPN QB Rating, in vogue since 2011. The site gives a score out of 100. Performances are better rated depending on the distance to travel to obtain a new series. The distance to the end zone is also taken into account when evaluating a play.
This statistic also takes into account whether the quarterback was under pressure or not during his action. The calculation also considers the sacks and fumbles conceded as well as the quality of the defense encountered.
After five 2024 games, quarterback Jayden Daniels is 3rd in ESPN's QB Rating with a score of 73.2 points out of 100 (Josh Allen 1st with 77.5).
Broken tackle
During his race, a runner is always contacted by a first defender, at one time or another. But through his liveliness like Trevor Etienne (Jaguars) or through his power like Najee Harris (Steelers), the player continues to advance and gain yards.
Before being chosen by Atlanta in the 2023 draft, runner Bijan Robinson dominated this category at the college level: 97 broken tackles in 12 games with Texas. Its profile combines liveliness and power making it almost impossible to stop at first contact!
The balloons released
Offensive players sometimes make mistakes! Losses of balls (fumbles) and interceptions have a lot of impact because they give the ball back to the opposing attack. Some faults are less serious, but nevertheless penalizing.
The dropped ball statistic compiles the number of times a pass was thrown at the receiver, but he missed the ball! That didn't stop the Kansas City Chiefs from winning the 2023 championship, but no other squad had slipperier hands: 2.6 drops per game, 8 total for Rashee Rice and 7 for Travis Kelce.
After five 2024 games, receiver Amari Cooper (Browns) has already released 9 balls! Dontayvion Wicks (Packers) and Darnell Mooney (Falcons) follow with 5 drops.
