November 24, 2018
NEVER PUNT:
NFL teams are getting smarter, and better, on fourth downs (Michael David Smith, November 24, 2018, PFT)
In 2017, NFL games averaged 1.89 fourth-down attempts per game, and offenses picked up the first down on 46.4 percent of fourth-down attempts. So far this year, NFL games are averaging 2.0 fourth-down attempts per game, and offenses are successful on 62.5 percent of fourth-down attempts.In other words, NFL teams are getting a little more aggressive about going for it -- and a lot better at picking up the first down when they do go for it. That indicates that offenses are spending more time installing fourth-down plays, and getting smarter about calling them at the right time.
The frequency with which they still throw on 3rd and 1 suggests they aren't getting that smart: run it twice.
Posted by Orrin Judd at November 24, 2018 7:07 AM