Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
We’ve spent a good portion of this season evaluating the downfield production of our NFC North quarterbacks. Yards thrown past the line of scrimmage and yards per attempt are two good measures from a passer’s perspective.
On the other side, however, is yards gained after the catch. In the business, we call it “YAC.” (Who doesn’t like to get their YAC on?) In essence, this analysis measures the additional contribution of receivers to the passing game. It’s also another way of viewing the intention of a team’s scheme. How much of a quarterback’s production is based on the throw, and how much is based on his receivers’ playmaking abilities?
The guys and gals at ESPN Stats & Information have compiled total YAC for each NFL team through Week 8. Below, you’ll see where each NFC North team ranks based on total percent of yards coming after the catch:
A couple of numerical parameters to keep in mind: St. Louis has the NFL’s highest YAC percentage at 53.8. Tampa Bay has the lowest at 34 percent, and the NFL’s median YAC is Buffalo at 44.7 percent.
As you can see, Minnesota by far has more total yards after the catch. The other three division teams have roughly the same total, but the Lions have the highest percentage relative to their total yardage.
I think these numbers make intuitive sense and help create a clearer picture of each quarterback’s approach. (In the Lions’ case, the numbers include three quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford, Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton. Recently, the have all been limited by the absence of star receiver Calvin Johnson.)
Favre has increased the frequency of his downfield throws over the past month, but over the course of eight games he’s still made liberal use of the checkdown pass. Tailbacks Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, in fact, have quietly combined for 43 receptions.
These figures also demonstrate the downfield approach Jay Cutler has taken in Chicago. The Bears have some excellent post-catch runners in Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Matt Forte. But these numbers suggest Cutler is keying further downfield than, say, the average NFL quarterback.
Finally, I don’t think anyone should be surprised that the Packers and Aaron Rodgers have one of the league’s lowest percentage for YAC. More than anything, I think it’s an excellent illustration of the offensive transition the Packers have made from Favre to Rodgers under coach Mike McCarthy.
The Packers lead the NFL with 15 passes of at least 30 yards and nine of at least 40 yards. Rodgers is also tied for first among NFL quarterbacks with an 8.8-yard average per attempt. You can pop some long gainers on short passes, but over time the teams with the highest per-pass average are the ones throwing it deep with the greatest frequency.
We’ve spent a good portion of this season evaluating the downfield production of our NFC North quarterbacks. Yards thrown past the line of scrimmage and yards per attempt are two good measures from a passer’s perspective.
On the other side, however, is yards gained after the catch. In the business, we call it “YAC.” (Who doesn’t like to get their YAC on?) In essence, this analysis measures the additional contribution of receivers to the passing game. It’s also another way of viewing the intention of a team’s scheme. How much of a quarterback’s production is based on the throw, and how much is based on his receivers’ playmaking abilities?
The guys and gals at ESPN Stats & Information have compiled total YAC for each NFL team through Week 8. Below, you’ll see where each NFC North team ranks based on total percent of yards coming after the catch:
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A couple of numerical parameters to keep in mind: St. Louis has the NFL’s highest YAC percentage at 53.8. Tampa Bay has the lowest at 34 percent, and the NFL’s median YAC is Buffalo at 44.7 percent.
As you can see, Minnesota by far has more total yards after the catch. The other three division teams have roughly the same total, but the Lions have the highest percentage relative to their total yardage.
I think these numbers make intuitive sense and help create a clearer picture of each quarterback’s approach. (In the Lions’ case, the numbers include three quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford, Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton. Recently, the have all been limited by the absence of star receiver Calvin Johnson.)
Favre has increased the frequency of his downfield throws over the past month, but over the course of eight games he’s still made liberal use of the checkdown pass. Tailbacks Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson, in fact, have quietly combined for 43 receptions.
These figures also demonstrate the downfield approach Jay Cutler has taken in Chicago. The Bears have some excellent post-catch runners in Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Matt Forte. But these numbers suggest Cutler is keying further downfield than, say, the average NFL quarterback.
Finally, I don’t think anyone should be surprised that the Packers and Aaron Rodgers have one of the league’s lowest percentage for YAC. More than anything, I think it’s an excellent illustration of the offensive transition the Packers have made from Favre to Rodgers under coach Mike McCarthy.
The Packers lead the NFL with 15 passes of at least 30 yards and nine of at least 40 yards. Rodgers is also tied for first among NFL quarterbacks with an 8.8-yard average per attempt. You can pop some long gainers on short passes, but over time the teams with the highest per-pass average are the ones throwing it deep with the greatest frequency.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and daughter.
NFC NORTH SCOREBOARD
Sunday, 11/22
8:20 PM ET Philadelphia Chicago Final Cleveland 37 Detroit 38 Final San Francisco 24 Green Bay 30 Final Seattle 9 Minnesota 35
