The NFL is changing in the way teams run their offense. What used to be a run heavy league is quickly becoming a pass-centric league. 2011 was the first time more then two QBs threw for more then 5,000 yards in a season. Mathew Stafford 5,038, Tom Brady 5,235, and Drew Brees 5,476 which in the new NFL record. In 2011 set the record for QBs with 40+ touchdowns with three. Stafford 41, Aaron Rodgers 45, and Brees 46.
Passing plays have been much more effective over the past few seasons. In 2011 eight out of the twelve teams that made the playoffs had 410 or less rushing attempts (New Orlenes had the least rushing attempts with 351) compared to 500+ passing plays by all twelve teams in the playoffs. Most the top seeded and most feared teams have been pass heavy for years. New England since 2002 have only had one season with under 500 passing plays which was in 2008 when Matt Cassel subbed for Tom Brady after a season ending injury in the first game of the season. The real need of a elite QB was shown in 2011 when Peyton Manning who had neck surgery in the off season and back surgery in September had to sit out the entire season. The Indianapolis Colts fell from 10-6 in 2010 to 2-14 in 2011. This broke the Colts nine year streak of playoff appearances (2001-2010).
In week one of the 2012 season 24 teams threw for 30 or more pass plays. Michael Vick and Drew Brees attempted more then 50 passes each (Vick 29-56 and Brees 24-52). If this trend were to continue through the entire season many starting quarterbacks would be looking to take anywhere from 400 to 800 pass attempts. Week two has seen seven QBs with more then 40 passes attempted. Drew Brees completed 31 of his 49 attempted passes. Eli Manning completed 31 of his 51 passes for over 500 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lead the giants to a shootout win.
All this proves that the league we know and love is changing dramatically. It wasn't very long ago that records were set in back to back years for rushing touchdowns. In 2005 Shaun Alexander tied Priest Holmes for most touchdowns in a season with 27 helping the Seattle Seahawks get to Super Bowl XL. In 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson took the record from him with 28 touchdowns. It could very well be the end of the running back era.
Passing plays have been much more effective over the past few seasons. In 2011 eight out of the twelve teams that made the playoffs had 410 or less rushing attempts (New Orlenes had the least rushing attempts with 351) compared to 500+ passing plays by all twelve teams in the playoffs. Most the top seeded and most feared teams have been pass heavy for years. New England since 2002 have only had one season with under 500 passing plays which was in 2008 when Matt Cassel subbed for Tom Brady after a season ending injury in the first game of the season. The real need of a elite QB was shown in 2011 when Peyton Manning who had neck surgery in the off season and back surgery in September had to sit out the entire season. The Indianapolis Colts fell from 10-6 in 2010 to 2-14 in 2011. This broke the Colts nine year streak of playoff appearances (2001-2010).
In week one of the 2012 season 24 teams threw for 30 or more pass plays. Michael Vick and Drew Brees attempted more then 50 passes each (Vick 29-56 and Brees 24-52). If this trend were to continue through the entire season many starting quarterbacks would be looking to take anywhere from 400 to 800 pass attempts. Week two has seen seven QBs with more then 40 passes attempted. Drew Brees completed 31 of his 49 attempted passes. Eli Manning completed 31 of his 51 passes for over 500 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lead the giants to a shootout win.
All this proves that the league we know and love is changing dramatically. It wasn't very long ago that records were set in back to back years for rushing touchdowns. In 2005 Shaun Alexander tied Priest Holmes for most touchdowns in a season with 27 helping the Seattle Seahawks get to Super Bowl XL. In 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson took the record from him with 28 touchdowns. It could very well be the end of the running back era.
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