Stat Analysis

2017 saw a massive improvement for Jared Goff, optimism for Jimmy Garoppolo and Deshaun Watson, and the first time two players had positive DVOA under pressure. Also: will Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson ever change their style the way Ben Roethlisberger has?

What does a player's status on the injury report really mean? To a large extent, that depends on which team he plays for, and what he does in practice during the week.

Defenses have taken a wide variety of responses to the rise of 11 personnel. Is any one system better than another? And how has the rise of the "moneybacker" changed defensive philosophy?

It's a three-receiver league, but for the first time since 2010, the frequency of 11 personnel actually went down last year. Was it a blip, or sign of things to come?

The Cardinals had a winning record with backup quarterbacks last year thanks in large part to their high-profile edge rusher who terrorized opposing offenses. We look at defeat leaders for every position, as well as overall leaders over the past few seasons.

YAC+ shows a lot of positives for the 2017 Rams, but will things continue after the trade for Brandin Cooks? Also: an underrated wide receiver leads for the second year in a row, an odd year for tight ends, and does YAC even matter for Mike Evans?

Which receiver did Drew Brees raise to career highs this time? Does Mike Evans really help Jameis Winston that much? Which running back duo had a terrible case of butterfingers? How bad were the rookie seasons for Evan Engram and Zay Jones?

Drew Brees continued his dominance in passing plus-minus, but was he as good as in his previous seasons? Also: big post-Jeff Fisher leaps for Jared Goff and Case Keenum, talent may have trumped coaching in San Francisco, and two No. 1 overall picks disappoint.

It has been many years since we have seen a quarterback as unlucky as Matt Ryan was last year. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings should be extremely concerned about the quarterbacks (yes, plural) they acquired this offseason.

The Rams and Jaguars finally turned their young talent into playoff berths in 2017. Cleveland looks to be taking over the mantle for "team of the future." Also: Buffalo's wild turnover and the youngest secondary in eight years.