These are select stats as of week 7, TNF may have shifted things slightly
TDs per game: lowest since 2001
Avg yards: lowest since 2008
Yards per play: lowest since 2007
Passing TDs per game: lowest since 2008
Net yards gained per pass attempt: lowest since 2007
Yards per reception: lowest EVER
Sacks per game: highest since 1997
Field goal attempts: highest since 1973
Kickoff returns per game: lowest ever (obviously new kick return rules)
Yardage per kick returned: lowest ever
All purpose yards per game: lowest since 1946 (passing+running+punt return+kick return+interception return+fumble return)
Source: pro football reference
I heard a mention on the radio that some offensive stats were trending quite low so decided to take a look. Found this pretty interesting considering all the rules that have been put in place to the benefit of offense.
What might explain this? Better defenses? Offenses/coaching worse? O-line depth? Younger, inexperienced QBs being thrown into the gauntlet- average QB age is probably the lowest it has ever been? Something else?
The exact same could've been said of last year.
This is the direction the league is going in. Honestly, I like it. To me lower scoring doesn't mean less exciting. Good defense doesn't mean bad football. But I worry that because of this Goodell & co. are gonna change even more rules to benefit offenses.
All they have to do is enforce contact in the secondary like they were a few years back.