Which teams allow fewest big plays?
Stopping the big play
The Colts are 14-0 for quite a few reasons. Their ability to prevent big plays might be one of them, as information from ESPN Stats & Information suggests. The Colts rank only 27th in time of possession, meaning their defense is on the field quite a bit. Even so, the Colts have allowed a league-low nine big plays (defined as pass plays covering at least 30 yards and running plays covering at least 20 yards).
| Team | 30+ passes allowed | 20+ runs allowed | Total big plays allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 12 | 3 | 15 |
| New York Jets | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| San Diego Chargers | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| New England Patriots | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| Carolina Panthers | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 14 | 5 | 19 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 13 | 6 | 19 |
| Denver Broncos | 8 | 11 | 19 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 12 | 8 | 20 |
| Washington Redskins | 13 | 9 | 22 |
| Chicago Bears | 8 | 14 | 22 |
| Green Bay Packers | 17 | 6 | 23 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 12 | 11 | 23 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 16 | 8 | 24 |
| New Orleans Saints | 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 15 | 9 | 24 |
| Houston Texans | 10 | 14 | 24 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 19 | 6 | 25 |
| New York Giants | 14 | 12 | 26 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 21 | 7 | 28 |
| Buffalo Bills | 11 | 17 | 28 |
| Tennessee Titans | 24 | 5 | 29 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 18 | 11 | 29 |
| Miami Dolphins | 26 | 4 | 30 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 24 | 9 | 33 |
| St. Louis Rams | 22 | 11 | 33 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 22 | 13 | 35 |
| Cleveland Browns | 26 | 10 | 36 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 17 | 21 | 38 |
| Detroit Lions | 24 | 17 | 41 |
| Oakland Raiders | 26 | 16 | 42 |
- NFC West Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2007
- Lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
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