DVOA Analysis

Six years ago, we ran an article estimating DVOA all the way back to 1950 based on standard stats. Let's update those tables now that we have real play-by-play breakdown for 1985-1988 and six additional seasons since 2014. The 2018 Chiefs and 2019 Ravens are among the teams now appearing on these best-ever tables.

Were the Chicago Bears the best team in NFL history? It depends on how much you value the postseason. Plus: A big year in big markets, Ron Brown and one of the best special teams units ever, and the greatest team to ever get outscored. Travel back to 1985 with us as we unveil full DVOA ratings for the year of the Super Bowl Shuffle.

How does our analysis of running games and passing games change when we consider scrambles as pass plays rather than running plays? Come see where Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes add even more value to their offenses, and see why some running games (Seattle, Kansas City) aren't as good as they look at first glance.

Kansas City and San Francisco enter Super Bowl LIV with similar total DVOA ratings for the season, but Kansas City is the favorite according to weighted DVOA.

The final four teams in order by weighted DVOA go Kansas City, Tennessee, San Francisco, and then after a big gap, Green Bay.

Weighted DVOA ratings are updated now through the wild-card round, with four of the five best teams still remaining. What might be a surprise is that the Tennessee Titans are one of those teams. Plus, we announce the Football Outsiders December stars for Madden 20 Ultimate Team.

The Baltimore Ravens finish the year as No. 1, the seventh best team in DVOA history. The New England Patriots defense moves down historical lists after a poor Week 17 performance, but still ends up No. 1 for the year. Plus: Just how bad were defensive units in Carolina and Miami this season?

Baltimore's still at No. 1, Kansas City moves up, and Seattle moves down. Plus: a closer look at what's going on with Dallas this year, with one of the best DVOA ratings ever for a team with a losing record.

The New Orleans Saints are the big risers in this week's DVOA ratings, but Baltimore is still at No. 1. Plus, let's look at how bad the Miami Dolphins pass defense has been and compare it to some of the worst pass defenses in recent history.

Baltimore is still No. 1, pulling away to an even bigger lead in weighted DVOA. Along with the new ratings, this week we look at offensive DVOA splits for teams that have gotten significant play from backup quarterbacks in 2019.