For season 2, we implemented a few new rules, one stating that no offense should lean heavily towards passing or rushing more than 65% of the time. Most of the games have been played in week 1, so we are going to take a look at these games and evaluate which teams and coaches may need to implement a new gameplan moving forward.
Teams that lost week 1:
Washington Commanders: 28 passing attempts vs 13 rushing attempts = 68% to 32%
Detroit Lions: 42 passing attempts vs 15 rushing attempts = 73% to 27%
Green Bay Packers: 40 passing attempts vs 17 rushing attempts = 70% to 30%
Carolina Panthers: 18 passing attempts vs 15 rushing attempts = 54% to 46%
Kansas City Chiefs: 33 passing attempts vs 12 rushing attempts = 73% to 27%
New Orleans Saints: 32 passing attempts vs 16 rushing attempts = 66% to 34%
Miami Dolphins: 37 passing attempts vs 18 rushing attempts = 67% to 33%
Dallas Cowboys: 17 passing attempts vs 16 rushing attempts = 51% to 49%
Minnesota Vikings: 30 passing attempts vs 18 rushing attempts = 62% vs 38%
Atlanta Falcons: 23 passing attempts vs 28 rushing attempts = 45% to 55%
Las Vegas Raiders: 27 passing attempts vs 23 rushing attempts = 54% vs 46%
Jacksonville Jaguars: 32 passing attempts vs 12 rushing attempts = 72% vs 28%
Pittsburgh Steelers: 47 passing attempts vs 11 rushing attempts = 81% vs 19%
Arizona Cardinals: 28 passing attempts vs 20 rushing attempts = 58% vs 42%
*8 of the 13 teams that lost this week were over the 65% target ratio that we want to achieve in the league. Only one of the losing teams this week had a higher rushing ratio than passing ratio! The Pittsburgh Steelers had the highest ratio favoured towards the pass and they just barely met the requirement for rushing attempts. It is difficult to maintain a rushing attack when teams fall behind, but it is important to implement a gameplan that allows yourself to remain balanced. It is easier for a defense to defend only one style of attack, this notion was proven by the amount of teams that won this week that had a closer pass to run ratio.
Teams that won week 1:
Philadelphia Eagles: 28 passing attempts vs 26 rushing attempts = 51% to 49%
Buffalo Bills: 25 passing attempts vs 19 rushing attempts = 56% to 44%
Houston Texans: 49 passing attempts vs 23 rushing attempts = 68% to 32%
Chicago Bears: 36 passing attempts vs 29 rushing attempts = 55% to 45%
Tennessee Titans: 25 passing attempts vs 22 rushing attempts = 53% to 47%
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 35 passing attempts vs 33 rushing attempts = 51% to 49%
New York Jets: 27 passing attempts vs 27 rushing attempts = 50% to 50%
New York Giants: 44 passing attempts vs 19 rushing attempts = 69% to 31%
New England Patriots: 29 passing attempts vs 26 rushing attempts = 52% to 48%
Denver Broncos: 19 passing attempts vs 30 rushing attempts = 38% to 62%
Los Angeles Chargers: 58 passing attempts vs 18 rushing attempts = 76% to 24%
Indianapolis Colts: 27 passing attempts vs 28 rushing attempts = 49% to 51%
Cleveland Browns: 39 passing attempts vs 18 rushing attempts = 68% to 32%
Seattle Seahawks: 34 passing attempts vs 30 rushing attempts = 53% to 47%
*Only 4 teams that won this week were over the 65% target ratio that we want to achieve in the league. There is enough of a sample size to determine that having a balanced attack will generate positive results in terms of success and wins. 2 of the teams that won this week had a higher run ratio than pass, one of those games was a blowout whereas the other was fairly close the entire game until the fourth quarter.
As we progress further into the season, the ratios for passing and rushing will be looked at fairly close. So evaluate how your team fared this week and develop an offensive attack that keeps opposing defenses on their toes and stays within the guidelines that the league has established!
