Stat Analysis

The Eagles' path to the Super Bowl was paved by a home-field advantage earned in part because they got an MVP-caliber season from a quarterback on his rookie contract. In Baltimore, meanwhile, Joe Flacco got paid a lot of money for little production.

Our conclusion to 2017's pressure study breaks down pass rushing by the number of rushers. Which defenses were the most blitz-happy or the most passive? We also found that one division loved the defensive back blitz more than any other.

Florida was home to 2017's most impressive, most terrible, and most disappointing pass rush. And the best pass rush outside of Florida came from a surprising place: Washington D.C.

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?