Stat Analysis

Are today's quarterbacks superior to their predecessors, or have their jobs gotten easier? Guest columnist Cole Jacobson estimates how Joe Montana, Dan Marino, and others would have fared in 2021.

The combine is back, and with it comes the return of Speed Scores! Six different backs scored 110 or better, the most since 2012. And every top prospect but one can be happy with their performance Friday night.

The dramatic increase in going for it on fourth down since 2018 has forced us to change the baselines in our Aggressiveness Index metric, which was topped by Brandon Staley in the 2021 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had the league's best pass defense in 2020, but they weren't perfect—and there's reason to fear those weaknesses will get worse in 2021. Elsewhere, the Saints and Rams also shine, while the Falcons and Eagles get picked on a lot.

Aaron Rodgers won this third MVP award last season, and he did it in part by avoiding the throw that other quarterbacks attempt most often. Elsewhere, Miami's quarterbacks were sometimes indistinguishable, Taysom Hill never throws on the run, and why there's hope for Carson Wentz in Indianapolis.

Our look at DVOA by route data for 2020 shows just what Kansas City's tight end did to be the best receiver in the game last season. We also look at the worst receiver of last season, A.J. Green, and why he's a sadly perfect fit in Arizona. Plus: what Atlanta lost and Tennessee gained in the Julio Jones deal, the disappointing return of the wide receiver screen, and how scrambling quarterbacks are changing the game.

While all the attention is on New Orleans' quarterback situation, they also have to replace several starters on defense. With so much up in the air, there's a lot of pressure on holdovers such as Demario Davis and Malcolm Jenkins to guide the Saints back to the postseason.

Pittsburgh's 2020 season ended with a disappointing home playoff loss to Cleveland ... but even in defeat some of their stars put up big individual numbers that may mean big things in 2021.

Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Denver all made significant personnel changes in the secondary this offseason, and there's reason to believe all three of those defenses will get better this fall.

Last year, Minnesota had the weakest pass rush we have seen in a long, long time. The Vikings will need to get better there to get back to the playoffs, and they'll need Danielle Hunter to bounce back from injury in a big way to get it done.