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NFL Trends: Quarterbacks Shine, Wildcat Slows Down, Big Plays Reign Supreme

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In the first half of the NFL season, several key trends have emerged, dominated by the quarterback position, where a record 12 players are on pace to throw for 4,000 yards. Passers are lighting it up due to better protection, and the spread formations that emphasize quarterback talent have made the position more significant than ever. The Wildcat, a fad last season, has lost its luster as defenses have adapted to taking the quarterback off the field, making it harder for teams to generate big plays. Meanwhile, explosive plays have become the hallmark of the NFL, with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints setting new records for scoring and long-distance plays.

Key Takeaways:

  • A record 12 quarterbacks are on pace to throw for 4,000 yards, shattering the mark of seven set in 2007.
  • The emphasis on quarterbacks has increased due to spread formations that make them nearly unstoppable.
  • The Wildcat, a fad last season, has slowed down due to defensive adjustments, with teams like the Miami Dolphins still using it as a power running scheme.
  • Big plays have become a hallmark of the NFL, with teams like the Eagles, Saints, and Tennessee Titans generating explosive plays regularly.
  • Players like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, and Eddie Royal are setting the pace with their speed and elusiveness, making them household names.
  • The New Orleans Saints are on pace to score a record 606 points, while the Eagles have a league-best nine plays of 40 or more yards.

Statistics:

  • 12 quarterbacks are on pace to throw for 4,000 yards, a record.
  • 91 plays of 50 or more yards have been recorded, the most in nine weeks since 1970.
  • The Philadelphia Eagles have completed nine plays of 40 or more yards, leading the league.
  • DeSean Jackson has six touchdowns of 50 or more yards and is on pace to break Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch and Devin Hester's record of eight such touchdowns.
  • Chris Johnson leads the NFL in rushing with 1,255 yards, averaging 102.1 yards per game.
  • The Eagles' offense averages 32.5 points per game, while the Saints are averaging 29.4 points per game, tied for second in the league.

Sources:

  • USA TODAY's Jim Corbett
  • NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth
  • NFL Network analyst Joe Theismann
  • Getty Images

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